Education used to mean sitting in a classroom, listening to a teacher, and taking notes. However, in the last couple of decades the process of education has changed drastically because of internet and the endless possibilities it presents.

More and more businesses and educational institutions opt for eLearning solutions to meet their training needs. The goal of this article is to briefly introduce the eLearning industry and its contribution to education.

Introduction

The first big step towards eLearning as we know it was taken in 1960 when engineer and computer scientist Donald Blitzer introduced the first computer-based learning program called PLATO.

The rise of personal computers as well as the invention of World Wide Web in 1989 (by British scientist Tim Berners-Lee) paved the way for further developments in online learning, such as the establishment of the first online high school (CompuHigh in 1994) and university (Jones International University in 1999).

Nowadays, online learning programs are common in most colleges and universities, and the number of corporations using online training keeps growing rapidly.

What is it?

Although most people have heard the term ‘eLearning’, their understanding of what it means can be quite different.

Freedom to learn

An essential part of eLearning is that it is available to anyone who can benefit from it, no matter where they are or what their schedule is. All that a student or employee needs to access educational content is an internet connection and a computer. For simpler content, even a mobile phone will suffice.

This means that a person’s location no longer plays a part in their ability to learn. Training is available to them when and where it is needed.

Complex learning solutions

People used to think of eLearning as a PowerPoint presentation or a PDF that has been uploaded and made available online. However, eLearning in the modern sense incorporates much more than that.

A custom eLearning course is a complex solution that aims to actively involve learners in the education process. This means that, instead of just scrolling through pages of text, learners get to interact with the content, select topics, provide feedback and much more.

Meanwhile, the eLearning provider can track the learners’ participation, progress, and success rate. This is usually facilitated by a Learning Management System (LMS).

Benefits

Although getting started in eLearning can take some time and effort, this is an investment that is sure to pay off. Whether you are a teacher or a corporate trainer, eLearning has many benefits that will make your work easier.

Learner engagement

The use of multimedia, simulations and even gamification enables educators to build courses that deliver information more effectively and make the learning process much more engaging and exciting.

Remote access

Remote work allows corporations to hire excellent professionals regardless of their location. eLearning supports multinational corporations by enabling employees to receive all relevant training without leaving their home office.

On-demand learning

We live in a fast-paced world which requires a different approach to learning. Sitting through long seminars and training sessions is a major disruption that may not always be necessary. eLearning can offer short learning modules that a person can access right when they need them.

Accessibility

Digital education opens up new opportunities for learners with disabilities. eLearning content can be adjusted to support screen readers, keyboard navigation and other tools that enable different ways of learning.

Costs

There are several ways in which eLearning can save you time and money:

  • Not having in-person training sessions means that no money is spent on traveling, accommodation and renting a venue.
  • Learners don’t have to leave their workplace to attend training. Therefore, learning online saves time and is less disruptive than classroom training.
  • Delivering information digitally significantly decreases printing costs.

Technical aspects

So, how exactly does one create an eLearning course? Here is a simple overview of the three phases of eLearning development.

Planning

Everything starts with an idea. You need to figure out what your learners’ needs are and how you can help them. Then you can move on to planning the structure of your course, from a rough outline to a detailed script that will guide you as you begin development.

Everything starts with an idea. You need to figure out what your learners’ needs are and how you can help them. Then you can move on to planning the structure of your course, from a rough outline to a detailed script that will guide you as you begin development.

Development

Building an eLearning course usually involves using an authoring tool. The main reason for using an authoring tool is reducing development costs – although you need to pay for the tool, you will not need to program each course from scratch. Authoring tools make the process much easier and more efficient. Therefore, you can save both time and money.

Delivery

Once the course is completed, you will need to deliver it to learners. Most often, this is done by using a Learning Management System (LMS). Simply put, an LMS is an online platform where you can upload eLearning content and make it available to learners. You can also receive information about their progress, participation etc.

If you are considering building an eLearning course, click here to find out how we can help you.