Did you know that there isn’t just one type of elearning or electronic educational content delivery? Here are the 7 types of eLearning methods that can be used for corporate training. We’ll also explain the pros and cons for each method when you’re delivering corporate training.
Web eLearning
Web eLearning is based on website content. It may take the form of an elearning video production, slides, or a combination thereof. You could even send them to read long pages of text like work instructions. One point in favor of web eLearning is its flexibility.
You can access the content at any time, and you may be able to do so from home. Because it is generally basic, it is relatively cheap. The downside is how boring it can be. You can use quizzes and polls to make it more engaging. In fact, you need to take steps to make sure people don’t click through the content and log it as done.
Virtual Classrooms
Virtual classrooms are the next generation of the traditional classroom lecture. It allows instructors and students to be engaged, though they may be located hundreds of miles apart. It provides more engagement than online video and allows people to ask questions in real time.
It lets you connect employees from across the organization to a seminar going on at the company headquarters. This can reduce the travel costs for your subject matter experts.
One downside is that it is only possible when you have the necessary infrastructure like cameras and conferencing software. Another is that it can only happen when your experts are available.
Video Modules
Video modules are elearning videos broken up into sections. You might record it from a classroom setting or create polished digital videos for online use. They could be animated or have an instructor.
They are similar to web eLearning except there won’t be basic Powerpoint slides or screens of text to read. Video tends to be more engaging than text on a screen. Breaking up the two hours of content into modules makes it easier for employees to watch when it fits their schedule.
Specialized eLearning
Mass produced video may work for new hire onboarding, but it won’t work when you have specialized content that needs to be delivered. You can use specialized eLearning to teach people safety procedures for a specific type of equipment or train people in a niche role.
Social Media Learning
Social media learning by definition uses social media platforms to deliver content. Social media learning has the benefit of being accessible by employees even from home on their own device.
The downside is that you can’t prevent the content from being viewed or shared, even if there are privacy settings. You can use social media learning to inform people of new product releases and hiring events.
Or talk about the proper use of your product, content the general user population would appreciate.
Microlearning
Microlearning refers to micro or small sessions. In general, microlearning sessions are no more than ten minutes. This forces you to keep the subject of each session focused, but you can combine a number of microlearning modules into a single larger program. You might use microlearning sessions to provide information on the updates to your timecard system or talk about eating healthy.
Mobile Learning
Mobile learning refers to content designed to be viewed on your phone. Microlearning tends to lend itself to mobile learning, but there is no guarantee your 4K training video will flow seamlessly on someone’s smartphone.
Microlearning lets people view training content in their homes, during their commute or on their lunch break. It also lets staff view content on their tablet instead of having to find a computer or video conferencing room to watch training videos.
Featured photo via Pexels (Julia M Cameron).
