The ability to gain knowledge and skills, increase productivity and train employees in groups are all reasons why more and more businesses are turning toward e-learning platforms as important tools in their corporate cultures. Especially in the middle of a global pandemic, e-learning resources are helpful in cutting down expenses when it comes to training staff. E-learning means any type of training conducted over the internet that can be viewed digitally on a tablet, mobile device, or computer. To learn more about e-learning and how it could work for you or your business, read on.
The Basics
If you’ve ever wondered, ‘what is e-learning?’ the great news is that it’s not complicated at all. E-learning, or online learning, is something that anyone can do if they have a tablet, computer, or mobile device. Even better, there are online classes in nearly every industry on every topic. Some e-learning content is free on platforms like YouTube, and other classes are offered at discounted group rates. Businesses use these courses to help train employees, encourage productivity, and more.
Some e-learning courses are made in-house by business leaders looking to educate staff about specific policies, regulations, requirements, and ways of doing things in that specific business. Maybe you work for a big corporate company, for example. That company might hire someone to build an e-learning course specifically for new hires or general employee review.
Other online learning comes in a variety of forms and is generally purchased for groups or one time with limited or unlimited use, depending on who owns the course and that particular licensing agreement.
Networking and Positive Outcomes
E-learning courses can be highly interactive and include things like video calls or Zoom meetings that allow for peer to peer (P2P) interaction and exchange of ideas. The perk to classes set up this way is that employees are able to network with a peer network to exchange ideas. Whether peers work at the same place or are taking the class for entirely different companies in different nations, peer interacting adds up to networking which is why many businesses seek out electronic learning classes that are highly interactive. These savvy business leaders know that, in general, peer networking leads to positive results and more creative ideas and ways of doing things.
Even in e-learning courses where there isn’t the opportunity for peer-to-peer interaction, many places that offer these classes open up online forums for the exchange of ideas or to ask questions about the distance learning content. Here is another opportunity to interact with others in the industry, take quizzes, and become better connected to the global market.
E-learning for Freelancers and Consultants
At the end of the day, whether your company is looking to use e-learning for peer networking, to train employees at their own pace, as a way of effectively helping employees with learning management system changes or updates, for wellness program workshops, like simulators, for instructional design, or simply as a way of helping staff maintain educational license requirements, there are many ways mobile learning could help your company.
The great news is that you don’t even need a company affiliation to jump in on course materials offered through e-learning for businesses, like marketing list email design. As a consultant or freelancer, you can sign up for a new e-learning design course, or become a learner through an online course at any time. If you think e-learning might be for you, start your further research in the area of your learning objectives with a simple Google search for a topic that feels like a good fit for you. Not only will you learn new skills, but you’ll be connected to other consultants and freelancers, too.
