While eLearning is an effective training modality for corporate learning, this technology comes with a unique set of challenges that organizations may face when implementing this type of training. How can your organization prepare for potential challenges with eLearning?
Check out our list of the top 4 problems with eLearning:
- It’s hard to keep learners engaged with their eLearning content.
- It’s difficult to hold learners accountable to implement what they’ve learned.
- eLearning is best suited for certain training topics.
- eLearning easily goes out-of-date and requires frequent changes.
eLearning is booming right now, and for good reason! With a global market expected to reach $457.8 billion by 2026, eLearning is taking the training and development industry by storm.
What happens, though, when issues arise with this technology?
From a lack of learner engagement to accountability issues, our team at Roundtable Learning knows the challenges that can arise when implementing an eLearning program. Regardless of the training modality, we help our clients avoid any issues they may face when utilizing a new training program at their organization.
In this article, we’ll review what corporate eLearning is, dive into 4 problems with eLearning, and offer solutions to overcome these challenges.
What Is eLearning?
eLearning is the delivery of training through electronic and digital resources. Organizations can choose to have their eLearning content custom-built or select an off-the-shelf solution. Typically completed on a desktop, mobile device, or tablet, learners can expect each eLearning module to be 5-20 minutes long.
Key Benefits Of eLearning
- Cost-effective — With a cost at $200 – $900 for every minute, eLearning is a one time cost that can be utilized repeatedly with minimal additional costs per user.
- Time efficient — Learners can complete eLearning modules whenever it’s convenient for them, whether it’s before or after work, or in between meetings.
- Accessed from anywhere — The same eLearning module can be accessed from anywhere regardless of a learner’s location.
- Reduces the cost of travel and time — With eLearning, learners don’t need to account for traveling to a training location and covering the associated costs.
Read More: Pros And Cons Of Corporate eLearning
4 Problems With eLearning And Their Solutions
1. It’s hard to keep learners engaged with their eLearning content.
Did you know the average adult learner has a maximum attention span of about 20 minutes? With this in mind, it can be difficult to hold the attention of a learner while completing their eLearning modules on their own.
eLearning requires learners to sit in front of a screen, whether it be their mobile device, tablet, or desktop computer. As opposed to more hands-on, interactive training, eLearning may be considered a more passive learning modality that doesn’t require active participation from learners.
Solution — While it can be hard to keep learners engaged in their training content, there are solutions to overcome this issue. Instructional designers play a big role in eLearning engagement when designing and building learning content. Consider making your eLearning more engaging by keeping modules 10-15 minutes long and integrating gamification throughout the learning content as a way to require learners’ participation.
Read More: What Is Microlearning And Why Does It Matter? Examples And Best Practices
2. It’s difficult to hold learners accountable to implement what they’ve learned.
Picture an in-person instructor-led training (ILT). In this setting, instructors can facilitate in-person discussions and give learners feedback in real-time to ensure they’re properly implementing what they’ve learned.
eLearning doesn’t allow this same interaction to occur as learners may complete eLearning modules from remote locations without an instructor present. This makes it harder to hold learners accountable for applying what they’ve learned to their role and ensuring positive behavior change.
Solution — If you’re going to invest in eLearning, one of your first steps should be thinking about how you’re going to hold learners accountable for implementing what they’ve learned into their role. Consider using manager discussion guides that require managers to check in on their learners before, during, and after the completion of their eLearning. These guides can be digital or printed resources that present managers with different talking points to review and reinforce learning materials.
3. eLearning is best suited for certain training topics.
eLearning is best suited for topics that are rich with information. This is because organizations can provide learners with a significant amount of information through interactive modules, then assess their understanding through knowledge checks or quizzes. eLearning shouldn’t be used for training topics where learners need to complete hands-on tasks (e.g. equipment training) or observe an emotion in another person (e.g. public speaking).
In general, eLearning is best suited for the following training topics:
- Onboarding
- Software Mastery
- Customer Service
- Health and Safety procedures
- Product Knowledge
Solution — Make sure your organization is thoughtful when picking your training modality. You can do so by completing a training needs analysis before you assume eLearning is the correct solution for both your business and learners’ needs.
Read More: Is A Training Needs Analysis Really Worth It? 3 Reasons To Conduct A TNA
4. eLearning easily goes out-of-date and requires frequent changes.
eLearning modules may easily go out-of-date as information, processes, and interactions within modules change. This constant updating and recreating of eLearning modules can be a costly investment, as eLearning costs roughly $200 – $900 for every minute of content.
In addition, organizations may try to extend the shelf life of their eLearning too long, providing learners with modules that contain outdated information and interactions.
Solution — Plan on redoing your corporate eLearning every 2-3 years in general. If your organization frequently updates your information and processes, you should consider utilizing less expensive microlearning activities, including short videos and FAQ sites.
Tackle Problems With Corporate eLearning Before They Occur!
This article has explored 4 common problems with corporate eLearning and offered solutions to tackle these problems before they become bigger issues. We hope that by reading this article, your organization can be proactive against issues that may arise with your eLearning program.
Looking to create a custom eLearning program for your learners? Reach out to one of our experts today to explore all that eLearning has to offer or read more about eLearning in our resource center.
