TOP 10 FACTORS THAT MAKE CORPORATE E-LEARNING WORTH THE INVESTMENT
11/29/20191 Comment
Imagine a scenario where every new employee needs to be taught about the processes and work techniques by the senior manager. It would be a considerable loss of time and energy. Face to face and on the job training were the only ways of learning a few years back.
Then came corporate E-learning, and things changed for the better. Training employees has been much easier since the time corporate E-learning has made its entry. The advantages are for both the employee and the employer. There is a notable difference in the productivity and skill development of teams who put to use various modes of E-learning. According to a study by IBM’s Smarter Workforce Institute, the following benefits accrue to companies that adopt E-learning:
The probability of achieving goals increases by almost 90%
Products design and development is over 20% faster
Overall productivity increases by over 10%
It is quite obvious the cost of setting up and implementing E-learning programs is lesser than the loss that companies will bear in the long run without such smart learning techniques. It’s a one-time investment where you purchase a software or package from a reputed E-learning company. There are no hassles of maintaining back up support or cumbersome files. The return on investment is commendable if the LMS is implemented in a planned manner. Companies around the world are taking the E-learning route for training and development to gain the following advantages:
1. Training cost is lower: The cost that companies have to incur for setting up training teams, providing space for face to face training, hiring external trainers and conducting appraisals of the training programs is much higher as compared to that required for corporate E-learning. Several specialised LMS options are available now and complete back end support is given by the service providers. The cost of setting up a system and implementing E-learning is recovered in a short time.
2. Simple to manage: Management of E-learning training programs is definitely less complicated. You don’t have to manage bulky files full of training or assessment sheets. Tracking the progress of employees with the program is also simpler, as all data is recorded online. Moreover, time management is also easier as you don’t have to schedule dedicated training sessions for all employees.
3. Flexible course design: The courses available in the market are quite adaptable in the sense that they can be altered easily to suit various target groups. Each person has different learning styles and personalised LMS enables effective skill enhancement. Plus, considering the fact that training needs of all departments in any organisation are varied, the courses are made flexible so that they can be changed as per the requirement of every segment.
4. Training 24x7: Round the clock learning has become a reality with the advent of corporate E-learning. Since the courses are available online, employees are able to access them any time, from any place. So, they may finish a learning module while at home or during travel. While this is advantageous for employees, it also saves man-hours for the company.
5. Geographical benefits: In the times of globalisation, companies cannot afford to have their team limited to only one city or even country. Corporate E-learning courses give the opportunity to implement the same course at the same time at several locations.
6. Measurable results: Assessing the effectiveness of training is extremely important and it can be easily done with E-learning modules. Managers can track not just the time people take to complete the course and their performance in quizzes or worksheets, but also the impact on real time output. Measuring the key performance indicators before and after completion of an E-learning course is a good idea to know the exact RoI.
7. Scalable and Seamless: As a company grows, so does the team it works with and the need for learning and development of employees. E-learning proves to be easily scalable. The same module can be implemented on a larger scale and even tweaked to include new aspects of skills and technology. Hence, it can be seamlessly utilised over many years.
8. Lesser turnover rate: Data on employee satisfaction shows that people who get access to frequent corporate E-learning are happier in the organisation and less likely to leave their job. This is definitely a boon for human resource managers as recruiting new talent is a lengthy and costly process.
9. Higher productivity: As mentioned earlier, companies having a robust LMS for training of employees can increase their output by over 10%. And this is just the tip of the iceberg; the actual potential to boost productivity is limitless and may go up to 100% if E-learning is used efficiently.
10. Better skill development: Skills can be developed much faster using E-learning systems. As the LMS provides targeted and interactive learning along with frequent assessment, employees are more likely to gain expertise. Moreover, online training can be accessed multiple times to clear doubts and analyse application of skills.
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With a plethora of options in corporate LMS, as well as innumerable advantages, it is evident that choosing E-learning for training is a wise investment decision. Plan your budget for employee training and get the best possible e-learning package for maximising long term gains.
6 MUST-KNOW BENEFITS OF LEVERAGING MOBILE LEARNING FOR YOUR BUSINESS
10/30/20192 Comments
Evolution in technology has revolutionised communication approaches. Easily accessible, portable cellular devices and tablets have reshaped how individuals receive and share information. Today, more and more individuals report utilising mobile phones to learn new aspects and upgrade their skills to keep up the pace with the industry. The core idea behind M-learning is easy access to information from virtually any corner of the world and at any time. As per a study, by 2021, businesses will implement mobile learning (M-learning) for their training programs by 78%. Given this trend, mobile learning, with creative design techniques, is taking the training programs to the next level.
Of late, mobile learning is regarded as the robust training/learning platform and is the most preferred option for informal as well as formal training programs.
Some of the factors that trigger the steady adoption of this platform include:
Learners’ prefer engaging formats such as animated videos, interactive videos or podcasts rather than humdrum traditional training
The individuals require a learning platform that is easily accessible from anywhere and at anytime
Organisations are increasingly choosing policy such as Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to enable the learners’ to acquire knowledge through their desired device
With that said, mobile learning solutions can be delivered not just in the form of videos but also in the form of ebook, documents, flashcards and bite-sized learning modules.
Ebook - This is one of the simplest and easiest approaches of presenting the learning solutions. It is basically a compilation of multimedia assets such as graphics, text, audio, video, etc.
Documents - This is another simple form of delivering the information. You can simply share the information in various formats such as PDF, Excel, PPTs, and many more.
Learning modules - Here, the training modules are broken into measurable chunks so as to enable the learners’ to access the desired training solution.
Flashcards - Although this type of M-learning solution is not compatible with PCs, it is considered to be the most appropriate form of mobile learning.
Implementing mobile learning is easier when compared to other forms of E-learning. The steps involved in this process are:
Identification of the target audience
Determine the devices (BYOD or purchasing of mobile for the workforce)
Designing just-in-time learning solutions
Selecting the right authoring tool
Deploying the learning solutions via LMS or other platforms
Although the changing learning environment is lubricating the shift to M-learning, it is the potential advantages of Mobile E-Learning that are being valued by organisations. The benefits of M-learning include:
1. Flexibility Mobile learning eliminates the need for learning to happen at a specific place and time. Learners’ have the advantage of accessing the training materials from their desired pace at a preferred time and at their own pace. Also, the learning solutions can be in any format such as videos, podcasts, documents, flashcards, etc.
2. Enhances knowledge retention Mobile learning results in improved learners’ knowledge retention. Learners’ are more likely to understand relevant & relatable concise and crisp data in a better manner. This will enable them to recall the information whenever required easily. It also provides better compilation rates and seamless learning experience.
3. Customisation resulting in improved learners’ engagement As per statistics, learners’ engagement improves considerably when the training is delivered via mobile devices. M-learning lets you cater to the training needs of the individuals by developing tailor-made courses. This promotes higher learning engagement. Moreover, it lets the learners’ stay on the right track resulting in the reduced dropouts.
4. Easy adoption Responsive design goes hand-in-hand with mobile learning solutions. The responsive design allows the interface to seamlessly adapt to various device sizes and platforms (smartphones, desktops, laptops, etc.). It can also be built using different frameworks such as HTML5 and so on cost-effectively.
5. Multi-device & performance support One of the best advantages of using mobile learning it supports multiple devices. That is, you can run the same course in a wide range of devices such as tablets, desktop, and many more. This allows learners’ on-the-go to retrieve information whenever required, facilitating the overall learning experience. M-learning also provides easy access to training information and yields high-quality performance.
6. Bite-size learning modules Microlearning is gaining importance more than ever due to the rapid adoption of mobile as a learning medium. The bite-sized reduces the need for a huge amount of information, thereby avoiding cognitive overloading.
M-learning is here to stay! It supports a myriad of pedagogies and offers a differentiated learning environment. Adopt the ubiquitous cellular device, meet the training requirements of your organisation and expand your business territories.
EMBRACING GAMIFICATION: KNOW THE ROLE OF GAME-MECHANICS IN DRIVING YOUR BUSINESS GROWTH
9/29/20192 Comments
Of late, eLearning solutions have experienced ever-increasing importance among organisations. However, the common myth among the businesses about eLearning is that the etraining solutions are made up of interactive videos or PPTs. But the fact is the etraining modules can be of various forms such as webinars, podcasts, etc. While the majority of eLearning solutions remain less talked, gamification, an effective training module, has been the talk of the town.
Gamification, a buzzword in the tech industry, is a process of employing game mechanics in non-gaming contexts. In layman’s words, it entails incorporating elements such as competition, visual achievements, and many more in the learning/training process. As per a report, it is believed that in the longer run, this unique eLearning strategy will meet 78% business objectives, increase learners’ engagement by 82% and productivity by 80%.
Sounds great? It really does! But achieving this hottest training trend requires more than mere knowledge about elements of game mechanics. So, how’s it done?
Here’s a detailed look at applying gamification technique for your business
Determine success criteria - In the initial step, identify the major goal based on which the result will be evaluated. For instance, 98% employee participation or 68% improvement in learners’ engagement.
Consider the learning objectives - In addition to determining the success criteria, consider the learning objective to ensure that the learners’ have acquired the required knowledge and skills.
Utilise different levels for learning journey - The learning needs of learners’ are unique. To meet those requirements, use various levels of learning and achieve the desired outcomes.
Use progress bars - Utilise percentages, progress bars or tracking systems. This enables the learners’ to know where they stand and take necessary measures to improve their skills or knowledge.
Analyse results - Assess the learners’ response, what triggers their interest, and check how they interact with the learning modules. You can also ask for feedback and know the learning experience of your workforce.
Gamification has been around for quite a long time. Despite its proven results (in training and other business aspects), organisations are still unsure of implementing this learning platform in their business.
Enhance learners’ engagement
Employee engagement is a critical factor that contributes to the business’s performance. Studies show that 70% of business transformations fail due to poor employee engagement. On the other hand, companies with properly engaged workforce double the business performance resulting in increased profit. With gamification integrated within an organisation, the ‘boring’ tasks become fun and enjoyable. It helps the workforce to track their progress, know their strengths and the areas which need improvements and work on the same. Also, with visible benchmarks, this platform creates work commitment and dedication among the users.
Adaptation to change
Owing to rapid market changes, evolving technologies, and other factors, it becomes a necessity for organisations to modify their work process & other business aspects to keep in pace with the changing industry. However, businesses set out to make such changes fail miserably or fall-short due to lack of workplace engagement. That is, if the team is not willing to be a part of the change, the chances of success of such companies decreases sharply. But with gamification, employees can receive & provide instant feedback, remain updated with the change & its objectives, enabling the management to process the adaptation seamlessly.
Improve team productivity
Employees with a low level of motivation fail to make a difference to the business outcomes. But with instant rewards, feedback, and gratification, you can not only improve the productivity of your employees but also reduce staff turnover. Gamification produces real-time visibility performance report and enables the staff to know their performance in comparison to their coworkers. This enables them to self-address the issues and takes suitable measures to work on areas they are falling behind. Additionally, management can access graphical reports and dashboards to necessary steps to resolve productivity issues.
Gather robust customer data
Customer information is crucial for businesses. However, collecting the same is strenuous. Gamification lets you access your customers’ information by offering a login form to your users. Doing so you can get access to various details such as customer’s name, address, and contact details. This information can further allow you to get in touch with the customers ‘and determine their buying decisions. To encourage users to fill the login form, offer badges, points or rewards on each click. Analyse the collected data chunks and determine consumer engagement effectively.
Solve complex issues with crowdsourcing
Transform game-mechanics into an avenue for crowdsourcing. Motivating consumers to visit your website and interact with you can help you develop a sounding board. Collect the feedback from the users and employ them to solve complex business issues. Games like ‘ESP game’ are examples of how data can be crowdsourced to resolve business problems. For instance, the ESP game offers pictures where 3 people have to agree upon and give a caption for it. The aim here is to agree on as many captions as possible and earn points in 1 minute. The agreed caption can then be used as tag for your business purpose.
Learning & onboarding
Besides training your workforce via engaging learning materials and keeping them updated with your business activities, gamification helps in accelerating the onboarding process. Since the know-how bequeathed is vital for the newbies of your team, the onboarding projects are made small when compared to other projects. The onboarding projects can be made engaging using game-mechanics and enable the new employees to obtain a better understanding of the project and other regulations & policies.
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When done correctly, gamification can work for you excellently. Leverage top features, customise the game-mechanics to your business objectives & strategies, improve employee productivity and get better ROI.
TAKING A STEP AHEAD: TOP 8 BENEFITS OF LEVERAGING ELEARNING SOLUTIONS IN RETAIL SECTOR
8/30/20191 Comment
From snail-mail distance courses to digitalised training, the learning environment has come a long way and has reached its optimum, i.e., eLearning. Today, eLearning is one of the booming industries, and according to analytics, this industry is estimated to experience 10% growth by 2020, globally.
With that said, eLearning is taking every sector by storm, including the retail industry. As one of the biggest industries in the world, the retail market faces a considerable amount of challenges to keep pace with emerging technology and meet evolving customer demands.
​With the rise of eCommerce, the retail sector is enduring the challenge of dealing with the ever-changing face of shopping. Additionally, technology brings new challenges, such as data protection, contactless payment, and identity fraud. Also, with the introduction of new rules & regulations, training programmes must be flexible and adaptable to reflect novel responsibilities.
Hence in the industry where reduced cost & time are paramount, online courses proffer a premium platform to deliver the training requirements.
LMS factors contributing to the success of the retail sector
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Scale and implementation - Retail businesses with multiple facilities and stores and across several cities, states and countries, can utilise a low cost, single LMS installation to train their workforce.
Strategic flexibility - Learning management system gives the flexibility to take the course at an individual’s own pace and location. This minimises business disruption and downtime while adding knowledge.
Effortless accessibility to materials - eLearning-based training offers easy access to centrally managed course material to all the learners.
Easy updates - eLearning let instructors develop and deploy new online training courses effortlessly and at a faster rate.
As per a report, the retail sector is expected to grow at 3 to 4% by 2021. To stand firm in the market despite the fierce competition, businesses must have staff-customer interactions, quality goods, and provide in-store experience & exceptional services. And the functional way of accomplishing this is via training the workforce using LMS.
Benefits of LMS solutions
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Simulation-based training - eLearning courses with simulation and visual factors will enable the employees to learn the appropriate way of interacting with clients. By demonstrating the content in context, it will allow them to incorporate the best possible practices & enhance in-store experience. For example, a tailor-made engaging, interactive simulation-based courses develop a virtual experience of the store. This assists in training employees to deliver superior customer experience.
Improved sales training - To successfully raise the sales volume, your staff must be aware of the sales cycle, including probing, qualifying the purchaser, handling objections, evidential support, etc. This can be accomplished by developing challenging sales courses that assess your employees’ sales skills and adds value to their existing know-how.
Development of bite-sized courses - Instead of spending an hour on a single course, deploy microlearning in the form of courses and videos that keeps the employees engaged, motivated to go through snappy yet meaningful content. The advantage of the chunks of the training course is, in addition to providing easy to grasp vital information, it can be easily accessed during the slower times at the store.
Easy risk management through compliance training - Risk management is critical for the retail industry. There are legal risks such as discrimination against buyers, reputation damage, sexual harassment, safety hazards, and so on. Equipping employees to identify such risks and tackle them effectively can protect the business from possible legal actions or bad PR.
Custom training - This is useful, especially if you have stores spread across cities or states. In the eLearning platform, a training course can be developed in the respective local language and delivered swiftly & systematically to your staff scattered geographically without any hassle.
Reduced costs & increased impact on seasonal onboarding - For retail businesses that hire seasonal workforce, it becomes a necessity to train the staff prior to the sale or business season. eLearning allows you to create impactful onboarding courses that can be used repeatedly to train single or group of employees cost-effectively.
Access to timely information - eLearning modules, apart from training, will also let employees access the information in a timely manner. For instance, they must be able to access detailed information about the products/services and suggest the perfect products/services that align with the buyer’s needs and drive more sales.
Access course on all devices/platforms - The best feature about eLearning is that it operates seamlessly across various devices or platforms. This enables the learners to take a quick glance through the training modules in their idle time from any location. ​
​Industry trends, customer preferences change in the blink of an eye. Hence it is crucial for you to train your employees consistently, continuously and overcome the fierce competition in the market. Embrace LMS, revolutionise the buying habits and make the retail experience a big-win.
TOP 10 TIPS FOR E-LEARNING COURSE: USE INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
7/17/20190 Comments
Creating an E learning course which will provide value addition to the learners and at the same time be simple enough for them to grasp and flexible enough to follow, is not easy-peasey. Following the well-acclaimed best practices and imbibing various facets of an effective E-learning program calls for a highly planned and focused approach.
It’s a multi-tiered process, involving layers of reiterations and corrections. You cannot get it perfect in one shot.
Here are some pointers that will help you to set your course of action.
1. Study the target audience: Every communication needs to be moulded according to the receiver; and e-learning is no different. The instructional design will be most effective if we are well aware of the understanding level, prior knowledge and experience of the learners. The target audience can be any of the following categories:
Interns, starting with a job and new to the organisation
Old employees, who need to learn a new skill or technology
School or college students, learning independently or with the help of a teacher
Executives pursuing online courses
Customers, who need to be explained features of a product or service
By targeting the instructional design as per the needs of our target audience, we will achieve our goal of creating a meaningful e-learning module.
2. Choose the delivery mode: There can be several delivery modes, depending upon the accessibility of learners, their location and time convenience. Since e-learning provides flexibility of learning platform, you can create the courses to suit the distribution platform. Mobile phones, tablets, laptops are the most commonly used delivery devices for e-learning. The features which you integrate in the course and module length will vary according to the device.
3. Framework of the course: The best e-learning courses are built on a framework that is revised several times. Instead of going ahead with the entire research and development at one go, you must first plan the structure of the course, and discuss it with the team that will receive training. It might be possible that there are some more points that need to be imbibed or some topics are redundant. Making these changes at the framework level will help you to finally put up an excellent course module which serves the purpose.
4. Clarify learning objectives: At the outset, the objective of preparing the corporate e-learning course must be clear. There can be following motives of an online module:
The learners need to get some concepts clear
To learn a job skill
To understand software or tools
To get acquainted with management or leadership skills
Enable practical application of work related tools
Depending upon the purpose, the content, as well as the style of compiling the material, features added like games, quizzes, etc. will be decided. Having specific, measurable and achievable goals always helps.
5. Make it engaging: Enabling learners to participate in the learning process is a great way to make the course successful. When there are ways in which people can contribute to the course, they will feel more involved and will be likely to complete the course in a disciplined manner. Moreover, you can incorporate forums and discussion boards, on which participants can leave comments, interact with fellow learners, discuss relevant topics and provide feedback. Being present on these forums helps instruction designers to understand the problems and reactions of participants.
6. Include games and rewards: Games that reward learners with bonus points or additional incentive make the course highly interactive. You must plan to incorporate games that are relevant to the module and gives real time simulative experience to learners. The game can be planned with levels, which the learners will have to clear to reach the end of the course.
7. Revision and feedback: Going through the course content in an encapsulated manner is essential. Hence, including summaries, preferably with bullet points, is important. Moreover, you must ask good questions, which prompt learners to think innovatively. Open ended questions, alongside multiple choice questions, enable people to think ‘out of the box’ and find unique solutions. Variation in pattern of questions is also important.
8. Easy navigation: The navigation must be simple and non restrictive. This implies that participants must be free to move back and forth in the course. In case they want to go back to a chapter, or check out the quiz part before completing the module, the navigation must allow them to do so. The buttons and icons used should be clearly visible, throughout the course material as well as in the evaluation part.
9. Use of case studies: Using case studies to explain concepts or develop work skills with the help of characters (avatar) inbuilt in the module is an innovative approach for instructional design. Moreover, with case studies, learners can experience simulation and get involved with the course. Presenting a scenario which is close to real life situation helps learners identify with it and apply the learning practically.
10. Be crisp and clear: Sticking to a timeframe while designing an online course is a must. Lengthy modules tend to get boring and learners cannot concentrate. Keeping each module 10 to 15 minutes long is a good idea. Also, limit your modules to cover only one central idea/ technology/concept. This way, learners will grasp more and know in depth about each topic.
Keeping these ’10 commandments’ of effective e-learning course design is imperative in order to create an unmatched course.
TOP 5 CORPORATE E-LEARNING TOOLS FOR 2019: SNEAK PEEK INTO THEIR BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS
7/17/20193 Comments
Ongoing, self-motivated and progressive learning is the key to corporate growth. Hence, companies all over the world are taking measures to incorporate employee trainings in their schedule and indulge in newer forms of elearning modules. As per a recent estimate, the national e-learning industry is expected to grow by a significant 25% year-on-year with projections of up to $1.96 billion by 2021.
To make learning most effective and wide-ranging, it is necessary to make optimal use of suitable e-tools being introduced. Most trainings designed to enhance knowledge and skills of geographically dispersed, inter-departmental employees are supported by a diversified set of e-learning tools. These tools are created diligently and in a focused manner to solve specific problems.
With the benefits of customisation, the learning can be channelised, monitored and easily measured. Moreover, companies can plan their budget according to the training needs and cost of E-learning tools.
Latest types of E-learning Tools used in corporate trainings
The list of E-learning tools is quite elaborate and there are educational websites that can guide you to choose the best suited one. Here is a list of tools segregated according to the purpose that they solve and areas where they are used:
1. E-learning Authoring Tools: Bringing together an e-learning course from scratch is like solving a puzzle with text, videos and images. To enable smooth transition of these elements from disjointed parts to a coherent module, authors use tools like Adobe Captivate, Elucidat, Lectora online, Articulate Storyline and iSpring Suite.
2. Designing Tools: To make the task of designers easy, there are several tools that provide ready-to-use templates. They are quite popular for their integrated info-graphics and storylines. For instance, mysimpleshow is a tool used for creating videos and Canva is a popular tool for presentations and graphics. They help to make the modules informative as well as engaging.
3. Delivery Tools: A number of new methods of delivery are creating ripples on the E-learning arena, especially for the corporate sector. Dissemination of modules through Video-based Instructor-led Training, games, podcasts, augmented reality and simulation is becoming increasingly popular in an effort to make trainings interactive. In addition, smartphones are gaining immense popularity as easy platforms for easy adoption of elearning 2017, 67% of US companies offered learning opportunities via smartphones.
4. Assessment Tools: There are a number of tools used for assessing the knowledge of employees after training. These include online quizzes, worksheets, case studies, memory games, etc. Quizlet, a quiz designing tool, is much in vogue for its value added features.
5. Learning Tools: Learners are also adopting a wide range of tools to access the material in the most convenient manner. A pre-training assessment, done with the help of a chatbot, enables learners to know their learning needs. Then there are forums and discussion boards through which participants share ideas and feedback. App based learning and ebooks are other trending resources.
By creating interactive content and engaging websites, Top E-Learning Companies in India are providing a strong foundation to the corporate world, based on which companies can expand with ease. The tools have proved to be highly effective for learning new software, streamlining processes, creating new product ideas, improving communication skills, etc. This is reflected by a 72% reporting by top companies in favor of e-learning practices for corporate learning and its subsequent competitive edge.
However, it is not to be forgotten that elearning tools are still on the brink of transforming from an incandescent stage to a developing phase. This essentially means that there is still a long way to go for most technology entrants.
Limitations of corporate E-learning tools:
Although elearning has transformed by leaps and bounds ever since its inception in 2000 (‘elearning’ was coined in 1998) in terms of formats, layout, embedded features, outreach, etc., it is still to attain a 100% adoption rate across different industries.
1. Lack of personal touch: Learning from a machine is not the same as learning from a human being face to face. Despite the interactive material and live video conferencing classes, the one to one learning and feedback system is often missing.
2. Not 100% adaptable: The course modules are created according to the thought process of content developers and designers. So, it is tough to adapt the module according to the needs of individual learners. Some people may need extra explanation, examples or practice quizzes. Though some leading E-learning content providers are now taking initiative to create content after taking thorough inputs from learners as well, yet there is much scope for enhancing the flexibility of the online courses.
3. Less time discipline: Since the courses can be completed as per the convenience of learners, there is a lower level of commitment. Learners can easily stop the course in between, which often breaks the flow of knowledge and reduces the effectiveness of course. E-learning modules can become a formality for official obligation, instead of being taken as a genuine learning source if not well-guided or time-tracked.
4. Cost and Time investment: For small companies, trying various E-learning modules, conducting seminars and workshops can amount to a considerable investment of time as well as money. If the courses are attended by the entire team, instead of only the targeted people, then many man hours are lost in vain. So, it is important to first judge the suitability of a particular course before plunging to purchase it.
5. Technology dependent: Some courses may be highly beneficial for an organisation but its results can depend on ownership of complicated or expensive technology. If the team learns certain skills, but does not have the resources to apply these skills, then conducting the course will become pointless.
Looking at the above points, it is recommended that courses be made more flexible, so that they can blend feedback from learners, as well as get updated with the latest advances in the specified knowledge field. Making people practically do the tasks that they learn about is a great way to strengthen the training process.
No doubt e-learning segment is today the fastest growing industry, but constant innovation is highly desirable in most e-learning modules. The new age technologies like LMS (learning management systems) and ‘blended learning’ that combines interactive learning with technological support have managed to overcome several challenges. Indeed, there are a number of LMS software for SMEs that can boost business growth without burning a hole in their pockets. According to a recent company report, IBM saved $200 million (approx.) by switching to latest modules of e-learning.
E-learning tools can definitely be a boon for any company’s bottom line if utilised judiciously and in a planned way.
GETTING THE CORPORATE CONNECT THROUGH E-LEARNING
7/16/20190 Comments
E-learning’ has graduated from simply implying ‘electronic’ learning; it has widened its avenues w.r.t learning systems, technologies, content and knowledge infusion. Its significance is better understood with the 5 ‘E’s that it essentially entails. In a corporate set up, these features are highly valuable and ‘must-haves’ for achieving growth targets.
Empowering: Companies that ‘empower’ employees with cutting edge knowledge attain better productivity and employee retention.
Easy and Engaging: Providing ‘easy’ and ‘engaging’ learning modules ensures that people participate readily and willingly complete the courses.
Effective and Economic: The goal of getting high ROI is fulfilled through learning systems that are ‘effective’ and ‘economic’.
Without an iota of doubt, e-learning is deemed to be the most sought-after asset creation tool for corporate players. Corporate training stands a great chance of success with added elements of elearning or etraining.
A glance over Corporate E-learning
On-the-job elearning is more of a necessity today than a choice for organisations given the current fluctuating employment scenario. E-learning for corporate enterprises is related to training and skill enhancement. Thereby, elearning content has to be carefully curated, data-backed and well-researched to include the most relevant aspects of a subject.
Corporate e-learning is focused more on the benefits that will accrue to the organisation as a whole rather than to individual employees. So it includes skills essential for the particular job roles and departments.
It is also customised according to the functions and seniority level of learners.
It must be crisp and concentrated, so that maximum learning is attained in less time.
There must be a feedback process included in the LMS, to gauge the experience of learners and make necessary changes.
There must be evaluation criteria like worksheets/ quizzes so that management can judge whether the learning targets are achieved and calculate the ROI of LMS.
Value-addition offered by E-learning for corporates
The importance of corporate e-learning cannot be overemphasized in times when skill enhancement is the key to retain one’s job through consistent performance. The advantages of digital learning, delivered through a well planned LMS, can be surmised as below:
Customisation: The presentation as well as difficulty level of course material is designed as per the targeted learners. So, it is very specific and personalized.
Time and place flexibility: E-learning modules can be accessed by learners as per their convenience, whenever they have time. Since the material is available on a central server, it can be used 24x7 and at any place. This suits the organisations where people work in shifts, or are placed in different locations.
Multiple platforms: Courses can be created to work on different platforms. Moreover, the modules can be uploaded and accessed on devices like smartphones and tablets, apart from laptops.
Interactive: Interactive modules mean that employees can ask queries, give feedback and share ideas during a class. This is similar to real time learning, except for the fact that it is happening in a digital environment.
Top 5 domains where E-learning is making a loud roar
While benefits of E-learning are reaching almost every segment of the corporate sector, there are some professional fields that are leveraging its power to the fullest. The impact of e-learning on the growth of these sectors is commendable:
Education: The professionals engaged in education sector are utilising E-learning platforms both as creators and consumers. They are taking the help of e-learning tools for more engaging course creation and effective distribution. They are also enhancing their own knowledge with the help of these tools, since they must keep abreast of the latest developments in their concerned field.
IT and software: In the IT sector, the demand for cutting edge know-how to perform a task with efficiency makes the use of e-learning so important. The modules in this sector are usually in short formats of one to three minutes. These can be viewed at any time, even during a task that needs immediate guidance.
Marketing: People in the marketing and retail sectors must learn soft skills on the go. They have to face a number of queries and objections. The mobile e-learning modules help them get answers, face rejections and stay motivated.
Healthcare: Constant innovations in healthcare and rising demand for more skilled healthcare professionals are the reasons that make e-learning so vital in this domain. Using graphical presentations, AI, augmented reality and forum based tools, medical professionals and experience the procedures and share knowledge.
Financial services: Up to date and interactive e-learning modules help finance professionals stay prepared for risk management, understand the latest investment trends, judge the international markets and make more informed decisions. They can also come up with innovative financial tools using the e-learning courses, as they need to interact with new age customers who are highly tech savvy.
​Case study of a corporate before and after e-learning introduced
COMPANY INTRODUCTION
Antara Ltd., a company providing education support to schools, wanted to start a new service in the digital segment. They needed a team that could approach schools with the proper framework of smart classes, give presentations and acquire deals.
CASE PRESENTED TO US
Our task was to train the existing team in all facets of smart education, starting from designing of digital content to use of smart boards for teaching and assessment tools for internal tests. They had to be prepared to explain all these in detail to the prospective clients.
THE CHALLENGE
Our challenge was that none of the team members had any prior experience of instructional designing as they were only subject matter experts and marketing professionals. We had to combine several aspects and train them in a limited time period, well before the launch of digital services by the company.
HOW WE HELPED
The solution provided by our team was as multifaceted as our problem. Here is what we did:
Gave a presentation on the smart learning technologies in trend
Prepared a detailed module on smart classes, including different features like blended learning, pedagogy styles, ADDIE model and use of tools
The module, available on podcast and tabs, was supported by an app created specially by our team.
We integrated Role play, Games and Quizzes based assessment and exercises, so that the client team can get a real time experience of how the service will be presented to the prospect schools
At the end, the team was given online graphical worksheets for easy follow up.
PART-TIME PHD PROGRAM: KNOW ‘WHY’ GO FOR IT AND ‘WHAT’ IT REQUIRES
6/7/20190 Comments
PhD programs consisting of full-time, part-time and integrated PhD is gaining importance day-by-day as it enables the individual to obtain recognition, better jobs, etc. While the majority of the doctoral candidates prefer taking up full-time or integrated PhD, there is still a section of aspirants who prefer part-time PhD program. While full-time PhD its own way of functioning and benefits, part-time program works different when compared to that of full-time.
Why opt for part-time PhD over any other PhD?
Today, with growing demand to part-time program many Universities across the globe provide this PhD program.
A part-time PhD consists of few components that are equivalent to full-time/traditional PhD. However, unlike traditional doctoral, candidates here are allowed to flow flexible schedule.
Part-time program doesn’t require doesn’t require too much finance, relieving you from the financial stress
There is no time restriction and you can work on your own speed. This is one of the crucial benefits of opting for part-time PhD.
You can acquire qualification in-addition to experience. Normally, high paying companies do not prefer candidates with nil experience. By choosing part-time doctorate you will have enough time to work & gain experience and also avail PhD degree side-by-side.
Basic requirements demanded by part-time PhD
Minimum educational qualification - Candidates opting for part-time program should have their Master’s degree in allied or concerned subject. However, special educational requirement might sometimes be demanded from the University you wish to enroll.
Residency - Many a time part-time PhD programs allow candidates to complete the majority of their research off-site. However, some institute may require a minimum of one year of residency so that candidate can interact with his/her supervisor.
Qualifying exams - Like any other PhD program, a part-time PhD program demands the candidate to clear the qualifying exam. Sometimes this exam will be offered as an oral examination in front of an advisory department.
Additional time to complete the degree - Part-time doctoral candidates should complete the number of academic credits similar to that of full-time program. As a result, the time to complete this degree program will take as long as seven to eight years (even though you have a Master's degree) when compared to 3 to 5 years of full-time degree.
Project report - Although you take up part-time doctorate, you cannot escape from thesis/dissertation without which you cannot acquire your PhD degree. ​
To conclude, certain Universities seek special requirements from the PhD candidates. Hence, make sure you go through the checklist before enrolling yourself for the part-time PhD degree.
GREAT TIPS FOR YOU TO CHOOSE THE MOST SUITABLE TIRES FOR YOUR CAR
2/19/20190 Comments
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A tire is a constituent of a vehicle that is fitted to a wheel and filled with air to support the vehicle and allow for acceleration, braking and handling. Manufacturers offer tires in a range of styles and sizes to conform to a vehicle's performance and application requirements. Tires come in a wide variety of tire tread patterns in different rubber compounds to help maximize the performance and traction of a car in a particular environment or application.
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Here are some helpful tips for you to select the most suitable car tires:
The primary thing to consider when choosing tires is the kind of driving you are planning to go through them. Different tires are designed for specific types of driving, such as easy ride, durability, sporty handling, or traction in rain and snow. So you can choose one feature that fits your needs.
Consider buying an all-season tire. It's a sound solution for most drivers, that is why automakers usually provide all-season tires as original gears on new cars.
Decide where to buy new tires. In addition to car dealerships, tire stores and gas stations, you can look for discount car tires in discount stores or order custom tires, cheap car tires and even antique car tires online. Most online stores selling car tires offer car tires reviews as well.
As a rule, it is best to replace your tires with those having the same brand, design and size. So check your current tires very well before buying new ones: look for the 'P' (passenger vehicle) followed by the tire's width in millimeters; its height; 'R' for radial; and the last number, which is the diameter of the wheel the tire fits.
It’s best when the installation of new tires is performed by a mechanic or tire dealer because special machines are needed to slip your new tires over the car's wheels.
Keep tire wear even by rotating your tires, as the new cars are sensitive to tires with varying degrees of wear. Keeping tire wear even means your tires will need replacement at the same time, so monitor tread depth to help you budget in advance.
New cars are also sensitive to mismatched tires, that is why it is important to rotate tires as manufacturers suggest. If you even out the wear, all four tires will be ready for replacement at the same time. Although buying four tires at once may be expensive, keeping an eye on tread wear saves you some money ahead.
If you buy your tires from a tire center, make sure the price includes installation and wheel balancing, and be aware that getting new tires does not necessarily mean you need a wheel alignment.
WHY CHOOSE ONLINE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES?
2/12/20193 Comments
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People ask all the time whether online colleges are really legitimate and are really a good way to get proper education. Online colleges and universities are a great alternative to traditional colleges and universities. Attending an online college is a great way to earn a degree in any specific field. Many people who have full-time jobs and families or other concerns to deal with find that they can attend online colleges and online universities.
First of all, before enrolling in an online college, make sure it is certified. To be precise, to make the most of your time, energy and money worthwhile, you must seek out accredited online universities, colleges or vocational schools. Investigate the school properly to find out whether it is accredited and recognized regionally and be sure it is not a degree mill that typically sells you a degree with little or no preparation. While it may seem tempting to obtain a degree without the effort required, it will not do much for your future job abilities and could even land you in trouble legally if you misrepresent your skills.
The following are the benefits you can reap by enrolling in an accredited online college and university:
There are many online college degree programs to choose from. Taking online college classes can be as exciting as attending a college or university class in person. Today, the virtual classroom delivers a great experience in interactive learning with graphics and video lectures as well as message board or chat discussions with classmates and professors.
You can earn your online college degree in your spare time which is a big motivator for many people who cannot afford to attend school full-time or for people who live in an area that doesn’t offer the course that they are looking for. There are even free college courses online that may not earn you a degree but that could give you valuable insight or skills you might not have otherwise learned.
An online university may have requirements before you qualify and you could need to go through the same in-depth process as with a traditional campus-based education. You might have to apply for your college online and submit an essay and transcripts and do everything you would normally do for a local college or university.
You can buy college textbooks online, find an online bible college, and take high-level PhD training or international courses for college classes online as well. Online college courses can be just as challenging and engaging as in a non-virtual classroom so you might even have the ability to get online tutoring.
Today, online college degrees give you the edge you need in terms of credentials while allowing you to juggle your busy life. There are plenty of online resources, online virtual campus tours and other places where you can find out more information to help you make an educated decision about your online education.