Informal and social learning takes place in any workplace on a daily basis. In fact, learning is an integral part of any workplace. Today’s organizations are increasingly encouraging their employees to take responsibility for their professional development. But while this informal learning is a vital part of individual employees’ professional growth, it does not enable them to reach their maximum potential. It does not provide them with the resources required to fulfill their learning potential. This is true, even when the Internet facility has made it possible to access information from multiple sources. But there is an amazing resource that enables the employees to take advantage of information-rich learning, and that too, within the workplace. That resource is e-learning.
E-learning Strategies
E-learning technologies offer a diverse range of low-cost learning solutions to the employees.
Employees can greatly benefit from the versatility of this resource as it provides them with a lot of options to choose from, according to their learning needs and preferences. Among these learning strategies are included case studies, interactive simulations, games, collaborative learning, and webinars, to name only a few. Participation in online course activities, like online group discussions and online simulations, is also a part of e-learning.
How Is E-Learning Used?
There are two main approaches that define how e-learning technologies are used.
The first ones are self-directed approaches that involve self-paced learning with only a minimal interaction between the teacher and students, and also among students.
The main focus of the other kind of approaches – the interactive approaches –is the communication and interaction that takes place between the teacher and students. These second kind of approaches more closely resemble the actual classroom environment.
Benefits For The Employees
More and more companies these days encourage their employees to benefit from e-learning, as it delivers flexible vocational education and training. It can improve both the knowledge and skills of the employees, enabling them to advance rapidly in their careers.
E-learning, can, therefore, play a significant role in the career advancement of the employees. Achievement of the career development goals, in turn, enables the employees to accomplish greater fulfillment and happiness.
Benefits For The Company
Companies can benefit from e-learning in a number of ways.
Firstly, when employees acquire updated knowledge and skill sets through e-learning, their motivation, and productivity levels are increased, ultimately benefiting the company.
Also, staff training has attained a heightened importance in these critical times, when downsizing has given rise to the need for the remaining staff to take on more challenges. Hence, the companies that wish to improve the capabilities of their employees have found e-learning to be exceptionally useful in this regard.
This is because e-learning is cost-effective, and deliver training on a tight budget, as training budgets are often the first to be cut in times of recession. But the organization’s need for a skilled staff is very much there.
E-learning is cost-effective as it eliminates accommodation expenses, travel time and time away from work. Small workplaces, which don’t have the resources for training, can especially benefit from e-learning.
Question: Have you had any e-Learning experience in your job environment? What would you think, the advantages of e-Learning in the working place are? You can leave your comments or your questions, by clicking here.
