e-Learning through an online training platform is a growing segment of the learning and development industry. It’s also an area that can be tricky to navigate. Creating engaging, interactive e-learning programs that effectively communicate desired learning outcomes is no small feat. But with the right strategy, planning, and execution, it’s an endeavor that any organization can achieve. With the benefits of e-learning becoming more apparent every day, more organizations are investing in this medium as a way to facilitate training for their employees while reducing costs and time away from the job. In fact, many companies have even moved e-learning initiatives from being a pilot program to being standard practice across their organization. Whether you are just beginning to explore e-learning as an option for your organization or would like to improve on your existing program (and implementation), here are 7 tips for successful online training platform development and delivery.
What is E-learning?
Electronic learning, or e-learning, is a type of learning that relies primarily on computer software for instruction, either at a distance or in person. E-learning can be delivered by a computer or interactive web-based application, sent by email, or accessed on a computer or mobile device. In general, e-learning can be defined as the process of using computer-based media, such as audio-visual aids, animations, and virtual reality, to deliver education and training to students. E-learning is commonly seen in the form of online courses and webinars, but it can also be found in other online mediums, such as social media, blogs, and discussion boards.
What Is an Online Learning Platform?
An online learning platform is a software platform that allows organizations to incorporate an e-learning system into their LMS (Learning Management System). A LMS is an e-learning environment that provides a centralized location for managing, tracking, and reporting on e-learning content, as well as facilitating engagement and collaboration between learners. Online learning platforms are designed to help organizations create, host, and distribute e-learning content, schedule and manage online courses, and track learning analytics. Some online learning platforms even allow for collaboration and some form of assessment.
7 Tips for Successful Development and Delivery in an Online Learning Platform
Create a Coherent Brand Strategy
Before diving into the nitty-gritty details of online training platform development, it’s important to first develop a cohesive brand strategy to ensure that your e-learning programs align with your organization’s desired messaging and culture. For example, if your company’s brand is all about innovation and creativity, you might want to steer away from the “traditional” online training platform learning delivery format and opt instead for more “interactive” courses. In order to create a cohesive brand strategy, you should first understand how customers perceive your organization. You can then use that information to shape your brand strategy, which will affect all aspects of your marketing efforts, including e-learning development.
Build a Solid Learning Roadmap
In order to ensure that your e-learning development efforts are on target and don’t go over budget, it’s important to build a learning roadmap. A learning roadmap is a visual representation of your online training platform learning program, including content and timelines, which will help you to effectively manage your e-learning project from start to finish. A learning roadmap should include the following:
– What is the end goal of your online training platform initiative?
– What is the desired learning outcome?
– What are the key performance indicators?
– What is the timeline for the program?
– Who will be responsible for what tasks?
– What is the project budget?
Formulate Your e-Learning Strategy
Before you embark on your online training platform development journey, it’s important to first formulate your e-learning strategy and determine if e-learning is the right fit for your organization and audience. First, you’ll want to determine your e-learning goals and objectives. What do you hope to achieve through your e-learning initiative? What problem are you trying to solve? What are the desired learning outcomes? Why is e-learning the best option for your organization?
Next, it’s important to assess your audience to determine if e-learning is the appropriate medium for them. Who are your learners? What do they already know? What do they need to know? What language do they prefer to be communicated to them in? What are their preferred learning styles?
Make Use of Pre-Built Assets
When developing online training platform content, it’s good practice to take advantage of pre-built assets wherever possible. For example, you can use stock images and videos that are royalty-free or available under Creative Commons licenses, instead of commissioning original content. In addition, you can also repurpose content from other sources such as print, webinars, and podcasts. But what if you don’t have existing content that can be repurposed? In that case, you may want to consider creating a “hybrid” e-learning program that incorporates both pre-crafted and original content.
Utilize Interactive Tools and Exercises
Interactive tools and exercises can help to engage learners and maximize the effectiveness of your online training platform program.
– Quizzes and assessments: These are great for measuring learners’ current knowledge to identify any knowledge gaps. They can also be helpful for providing data for future e-learning program development.
– Stories and scenarios: These are an effective way of introducing real-life examples into your e-learning program.
– Collaborative tools: Collaborative tools such as wikis and polls are a great way to engage learners and allow them to exchange ideas.
– Mind maps and concept maps: These are great for breaking down complex ideas into something much more manageable.
– Role play and simulations: These types of exercises are extremely useful for giving learners hands-on experience.
– Games: Games are an excellent way to engage your learners and make learning fun.
Don’t Forget About the Visuals
Although online training platform learning is predominately delivered in written format, visuals are still an important part of creating engaging e-learning content. However, it’s important to make sure that the visuals you include in your e-learning program are relevant and meaningful. Visuals are a great way to convey information, break down complex ideas, and facilitate understanding. They also make online training platform content more visually appealing and therefore more engaging. Visuals can be used in various ways, such as images, charts, graphs, tables, diagrams, and infographics.
Don’t Skimp on Quality and Usability
It’s important to remember that while online training platform learning is a cost-effective way to facilitate training, it’s also a representation of your brand and must reflect positively on your organization. In order to make sure your e-learning program is high-quality and user-friendly, you should follow these tips:
– Choose the correct platform: Make sure you select an online learning platform that is user-friendly and has the features your e-learning program requires.
– Create a consistent look: Visuals, fonts, and colours all play a significant role in how your e-learning program is perceived, so it’s important to make sure they are consistent across your program.
– Pay attention to detail: Even the tiniest of details such as the spacing between paragraphs should be considered and addressed.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, an online training platform is an exciting and ever-evolving medium that can have a significant impact on your organization’s training. However, it’s important to remember that e-learning is only as good as the effort put into developing it. If you are interested in best practices for remote new hire training, check them out here.
We Can Help
Companies that invest in online training platform training benefit from reduced attrition rates and hiring costs, better employee productivity, more knowledgeable employees, and a competitive hiring package. ReadyTech’s remote training software provides different ways to interact with trainers and peers, encouraging participation and active learning. We provide companies and their employees with a hosted training solution that offers hands-on, virtual training software to aid your workforce in practicing job skills.
ReadyTech provides your company with all the software you need for your online training platform, and we offer a full-service setup process and 24/7 live support. Contact us today.
