The concept of e-learning is not new to corporate organizations and individuals albeit the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled the need for organizations to leverage technology platforms to drive learning initiatives. In simple terms, e- Learning (Electronic Learning) is the act of learning (educating or training) through the use of digital resources such as computers, the internet, software programmes and mobile devices.

Now more than ever before, there is a heightened need for organizations to provide learning solutions to employees using digital platforms as the benefits far outweigh the demerits. With digital learning solutions, organizations are able to achieve much more than was possible in times past. This article brings to light the benefits of digital learning and reasons why organizations must rethink their learning strategies.

Why it is imperative for organizations to leverage digital platforms for learning

The use of digital platforms for learning is dramatically changing our education system and the corporate world should be willing to adopt this new reality. The days of classroom training are gradually coming to an end due to hi-speed internet and other advancements in technology. It is becoming more difficult for employees to stay engaged and attentive during lengthy classroom training sessions, the attention span of learners has declined significantly over the years. Research shows that e- Learning requires about 60% less time than learning the same information in a classroom setting. Training providers must look for ways to provide training programmes that ensure learners are properly engaged- leveraging technology makes this possible.

Advancement in technology has made access to information a lot easier and faster, individuals now have easy access to news articles, videos, podcasts and other forms of digital content. The benefits of e-learning are numerous, we have listed some of them below

• E-Learning gives room for more flexibility in terms of training delivery method and timing.
• Through digital learning, information can be accessed easily anywhere and at any time.
• E-Learning courses are typically less expensive thus saving employers additional costs.
• There is practically no limit to the number of learners that can take a course at the same time unlike a typical classroom training.
• Digital learning allows learners learn at their own pace thereby increasing engagement and retention.

The Future of Corporate Learning

For organizations to survive, they must constantly evolve to meet the needs of our ever-changing world and e-Learning is a key enabler for the success and growth of any organization. According to Forbes, “Companies like IBM, Sears, and Visa are starting to turn off their old systems and build a new generation of learning infrastructure that looks more like a ‘learning network’ and less like a single integrated platform.” Forward thinking organizations acknowledge the fact that employees are more receptive to e-Learning, they understand that the younger generation of the workforce grew up with technology embedded in their daily lives and education, hence they are tailoring their training to accommodate, interactive videos and other multimedia learning techniques. This is an important piece in the continued success of such organizations while the other organizations that fail to evolve will eventually fade away.

A study by the Journal of e-Learning and Higher Education states that “Satisfaction level with web-enhanced teaching increased to 95% in the 2011 – 2012 investigation, compared to 73% – 87% in the 2003 – 2004 one.” This study shows that in both investigations students were pleased with the concept of online learning, especially the students from 2011 – 2012. From such studies, organizations should realize that E- Learning is not simply an additional feature to education or training but is indeed a core and effective educational method that can and should be adopted, it is a powerful tool that provides businesses with highly skilled employees and also benefits the corporation economically. E- Learning is an important factor in training and education and it is here to stay.

The organizations that will survive now and in the future are those who constantly evolve their systems and processes to meet modern-day demands. Organizations that are serious about survival must not only update what their employees learn, they must also revamp how their employees learn.

Is your organization struggling to provide digital learning solutions to employees? We can help you build a digital infrastructure that will support your corporate learning strategy.