As virtual training and learning has increased at light speed over the past year, many people have turned to eLearning in order to improve training outcomes. Unfortunately, many myths persist that have left people unsure about virtual learning. Have you fallen prey to these common training misconceptions? 

Misconception #1: It does not work for all learner types.

Some people believe that eLearning only works for visual learners: those who can readily absorb information directly from the screen, without needing someone else to explain it to them. In reality, however, eLearning is a highly effective style for learners of all types. It can include visual, auditory, and even kinesthetic methods, depending on the modules used and how you interact with your students. Through platforms like Knowledge Anywhere, you can also provide increased interaction for your students. 

Misconception #2: It decreases interaction (and makes it hard to measure). 

During eLearning courses, learners are, of course, locked to their computer screens, rather than interacting in a standard classroom environment. That does not mean, however, that it does not allow for interaction: both interaction between students and interaction between student and teacher or trainer. In fact, eLearning can provide for less distracted interaction, since instructors can place students in breakout rooms for small group interactions. Students may, in some cases, also receive more interaction with the instructor, since instructors can more accurately track all student progress. 

In addition, eLearning provides a high degree of tracking and accountability; providing data on organizational, departmental, and individual levels. Often, instructors can do a better job of paying attention to all students and judging their interaction than they can if they have students in a traditional classroom environment. Instructors can track individual student progress and even see how often they interact with their peers and with the classroom as a whole. 

Misconception #3: It's difficult for students who don't learn at the same pace

Some people have a mental picture of eLearning that looks something like a television show. Instead of actively interacting with the content, they picture learners passively taking in information while staring at the screen, then being forced to take a test on it when they reach the end. 

Modern technology, however, has made eLearning more interactive than ever. Not only does it allow students to directly interact with instructors and peers, asking questions and determining what they need to know about their content, but it also provides students with customized content that they can take in at their preferred pace. For fast learners, that may mean quickly going over the information, taking a test or quiz, and moving on to other content. Slower learners, on the other hand, can choose to review that material or access supplemental information as needed. 

Misconception #4: Creating modules is a complex, time-consuming process. 

In order to create training content of any type, you will need to create a foundation for that content. You may, for example, already have a handbook that employees are expected to review, or you may have training videos that your business has been using for a long time. Developing eLearning content, however, is often simpler than you think.

In many cases, including health and safety training, you can find pre-created modules that already fit your needs. In others, you can often incorporate your existing materials to create highly effective training modules based on your company's individual needs. The basic setup and format are already in place; you need only add the information that is specific to your company. 

If you'd like to learn more about how to get quality content immediately up on your learning platform, check out our free eBook, which provides tips, as well as free training templates, in PDF and in PowerPoint form! 

Misconception #5: Employees don't like eLearning. 

Many employers choose not to implement eLearning protocols for their organizations because they think their employees will not like them. Employees might not want to be stuck behind a computer all day, for example, or might struggle with the lack of face-to-face relationship. 

In reality, however, most employees like using eLearning platforms to go through training and learn more about their industries. In many cases, employees prefer the ability to work at their own pace. It's easier to ask questions and work through problems on a screen, when you don't feel pressured to meet time constraints than it is to handle similar issues during in-person training sessions. Not only that, eLearning means that employees can fit in their training sessions when it's convenient for them, rather than having to attend training at a specific time and in a specific place. In fact, there are many employee benefits of online training, that help advance their careers and skillsets. 

Misconception #6: It's just for big organizations. 

Small companies may turn away from eLearning opportunities because they feel that they are outside their budget or will take too much time to implement. The truth, however, is that eLearning offers opportunities for all organizations, both big and small. Pretreated training modules can make it much easier for many employers to keep their employees up-to-date on basic health and safety regulations, harassment protocols, and even industry standards. Creating your own training modules can help ensure that all employees receive the same training, regardless of who is on hand the day they need it. Many small organizations have also found that eLearning can help cut their training costs each year

Misconception #7: It's expensive.

Compared to many types of training and learning, eLearning is not expensive at all. To send an employee out for training, you may need to pay for travel costs, a hotel room, and a per diem fee. To bring a trainer into your organization, you will need to pay the same types of fees. When your employees train through eLearning methods, on the other hand, you can often provide them with the information they need from the convenience of the office. They won't have to travel or be away from home, which means they will also be more likely to take on additional training or certifications. The truth is, investing in online training can cut costs and increase ROI.

 

How these misconceptions are costing you time and money

Embracing eLearning is an opportunity to create a more efficient, effective, and budget-friendly training system for your business. However, misconceptions about online training can deter many companies from adopting this innovative approach, potentially leading to considerable financial and time costs.

  1. One-size-fits-all learning slows progress: Believing that eLearning can't cater to all types of learners could be slowing your training programs and preventing your employees from reaching their full potential. By sticking to traditional, linear training methods, you're spending more time and money to achieve results that eLearning could deliver faster and more effectively.
  2. Lack of measurable interactions leads to blind spots: When you assume that eLearning decreases meaningful interaction, you miss out on the sophisticated analytics that eLearning provides. These metrics allow you to fine-tune your training initiatives, ensuring they're impactful and relevant. Without this data, you're effectively shooting in the dark, wasting time and resources on ineffective training strategies.
  3. Inefficient learning pace impedes productivity: The misconception that eLearning can't cater to different learning speeds could lead to employees feeling overwhelmed or bored. This results in a lack of engagement, which slows down the overall learning process, causing productivity loss and unnecessary expenditure on training materials that aren't being used to their full potential.
  4. Unnecessary module creation drains resources: The belief that creating eLearning modules is complex and time-consuming can lead to unnecessary expenditure of resources, both in terms of time and cost. By not utilizing existing resources or pre-made modules, companies might end up duplicating efforts and incurring additional expenses.
  5. Employee dissatisfaction affects turnover: Assuming that employees don't enjoy eLearning could prevent the implementation of a platform that can increase employee satisfaction and reduce turnover. High turnover is expensive and time-consuming, and improving training is a proven way to increase employee retention.
  6. Missed opportunities for small businesses: The misconception that eLearning is only for big organizations can keep small businesses from leveraging its benefits. By not adopting eLearning, these companies could be missing out on cost-effective, scalable, and easily implementable training solutions, causing unnecessary expenditure and inefficiency.
  7. Avoidable training expenses: Believing that eLearning is expensive can lead companies to incur unnecessary costs associated with traditional training methods, such as travel, accommodation, and trainer fees. In contrast, eLearning can provide a much more cost-effective solution, offering high-quality training at a fraction of the cost.

In conclusion, these misconceptions about eLearning not only limit your company's growth potential, but they can also be costing you significant time and money. By understanding the real benefits and potential of eLearning, you can make more informed decisions, optimizing your training approach for better results and cost savings. If you're interested in learning more about what eLearning opportunities could offer for your organization, contact us today! 

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