To keep pace with these rapid advancements, organizations must cultivate highly flexible and adaptive learning cultures. This means shifting perspective where traditional learning is held as the best or most effective way of maintaining a learning process. Where instructor-led, face-to-face, classroom settings become the exception and not the rule and digital mediated learning frameworks can be appreciated for their efficiency and eclectic value.
What is digital learning?
When we talk about digital learning, we are encompassing the full spectrum of learning which is facilitated by technology or by instructional practice that makes effective use of technology. Blended learning, mobile learning and e-learning are all concepts within the overarching scheme of digital learning. This means that many components which are familiar from traditional learning, such as: whiteboards, group discussions, audio-visual aids, assessments and certifications can be fully integrated into a digital learning strategy.
Is digital learning outstripping traditional learning?
The Florida Virtual School suggests that a key component of digital learning is that it gives learners some element of control over time, place, path and/or pace. According to a study from Deloitte, this becomes a critical factor in new age business where workers have about 20 minutes a week to devote to learning as they face constant interruptions. Today, even in the Caribbean which lags behind developed countries, there is less demand for off-site classroom training and a greater urgency for micro-learning modules, which deliver instruction in short, specific bursts that are accessible and up-to-date.
Why your business needs digital learning technologies
Companies of all sizes are now beginning to explore the benefits of digital learning tools and platforms. In fact, our clients have consistently reported how impactful and rewarding it can really be. In a fast changing world, continuous learning is the key to keep your employees delivering peak performance for your organization’s bottom line.
No matter your industry or niche, here are the key reasons why you should absolutely consider digital learning for your training and development programmes.
Reduces costs
One of the most common decision factors in implementing any training or development programme is undoubtedly, cost. When content acquisition, printed training materials, on-site facilitators, venues, refreshments, etc. are all factored in the cost of delivering a traditional learning experience can become quite exorbitant. On the other hand, digital learning is completely scalable and cost-effective when compared to traditional face-to-face employee development and can be easily refreshed and reused, expanding its initial value.
Faster deployment
Software programmes used in organizations today are highly agile and rapidly changing. Organizations must therefore readily and quickly adapt to these changes to maintain their pace with competitors and avoid their employees becoming obsolete in their knowledge and skills. Online training can be deployed quickly and conveniently, so that employees are able to acquire new information or skill sets almost immediately. Content can also be scaled down to rich media micro-learning modules that provide just-in-time training to sharpen or develop key skills.
Flexible and convenient
Digital learning literally brings training and development to the tip of your finger. It can be delivered across the web and accessed from computers, tablets and mobile devices giving employees the flexibility to learn when and where they want to. Getting a team together at the same place and time can sometimes be a challenge but digital learning allows each individual the flexibility and convenience to work at their own pace on their own time.
Unlimited accessibility
One of the most overlooked and underrated features of digital learning is that it delivers unlimited accessibility so that employees can go back to their online training materials to access important resources any time that they need it. Moreover, once digital content has been created, it can easily be reused to train new employees or to provide a refresher course. This accessibility increases the overall value of digital learning because the instruction, tools, materials and platforms have a much longer lifespan than traditional alternatives.
Boosts employee productivity
Self-paced digital learning gives employees a greater sense of autonomy in managing their time and balancing core tasks. Since digital learning gives employees the freedom to train on downtime, on-the-go or in their free time, they can prioritize better leading to much higher productivity and greater efficiency. The convenience of digital learning means employees can acquire new skills and training on-demand without the conflict of losing key productivity hours.
Conclusion
Given all of these facts and plentiful benefits that online learning provides, it really is clear that eLearning is absolutely essential in today’s fast-paced world. It represents the most effective way of learning and helps organizations create high-quality employee training at a lower cost, empowering their workforce to keep improving and be genuinely excited about learning. As a result, they are more engaged and satisfied with their jobs, and they greatly contribute to higher revenue and ROI.