When it comes to embracing eLearning, many organisations are hesitant. They are concerned that focusing on online learning would lead to inferior programs that would devalue the learning experience and overwhelm learners. We believe that the exact opposite is true.
Instead, eLearning empowers your L&D professionals and subject matter experts to share their expertise directly with those who need it. It removes complex and long-winded development stages so programs can be easily created and tailored to learners’ needs, resulting in superior courses and enhanced learning outcomes.
Now let’s take a deeper look at the advantages of in-house eLearning and how it can empower L&D professionals.
Advantages of eLearning for Learning and Development Professionals
1. Customisation and flexibility
In-house eLearning development empowers L&D professionals to tailor content to their organisation’s specific needs. They know the audience and their needs better than anyone and pre-packaged solutions may not always align with the company’s unique culture, industry requirements, or learning objectives. With in-house expertise, L&D teams can create customised courses that resonate with employees, increasing engagement and retention rates.
2. Cost efficiency
Outsourcing eLearning content development can be expensive, especially for ongoing training needs. By cultivating in-house eLearning skills, organisations can significantly reduce costs associated with hiring external vendors. This cost-efficiency allows L&D departments to allocate resources more effectively, investing in other critical aspects of training and development.
3. Real-time updates
In-house eLearning professionals can respond swiftly to changing business needs. They can update content in real-time to reflect industry shifts, compliance updates, or new product launches. This ensures that training materials are always current and aligned with organisational goals and can be particularly useful in areas with high compliance demands.
4. Enhanced quality control
Maintaining quality control of eLearning content is crucial. With in-house eLearning, your experts have an intimate understanding of an organisation’s standards and can easily ensure that every module meets these criteria. This control extends to consistency in branding, messaging, and the overall learning experience.
5. Improved communication
Collaboration is key in any organisation. When L&D professionals possess eLearning development skills, it becomes easier to communicate with subject matter experts, IT teams, and other stakeholders involved in the training process. This improved communication streamlines the development process and ensures everyone is on the same page.
6. Rapid prototyping and experimentation
In-house eLearning expertise allows L&D teams to experiment with different approaches to learning. They can rapidly prototype and test new ideas, gather feedback, and refine content accordingly. This agile development approach fosters innovation and keeps training materials fresh and engaging.
7. Alignment with organisational goals
L&D professionals with eLearning skills are better equipped to align training programs with broader organisational goals. They can create courses that directly support business objectives, making L&D an integral part of the company’s success.
eLearning Challenges for L&Ds and How to Overcome Them?
1. Limited Internal Expertise
L&D teams often lack the instructional design and multimedia skills needed for eLearning. Upskilling your team with targeted training or partnering with experts can be the most effective way to acquire these skills. Pre-built templates are also a useful tool to simplify the process.
2. Time Constraints
Creating eLearning modules requires significant time, often clashing with other L&D responsibilities. Break projects into phases, prioritise high-impact modules, and leverage tools like Articulate or repurpose existing content to save time.
3. Budget Pressures
High upfront costs for tools and software can be beyond most budgets, especially for smaller organisations. Focus on high-ROI training needs, start with free or low-cost tools, and scale as resources allow.
4. Technological Learning Curve
Adopting new eLearning tools can be daunting, with compatibility challenges adding to the strain. Invest in team training, choose user-friendly platforms with strong support, and run pilot tests to ensure smooth integration.
5. Resistance from Stakeholders
Managers and employees may resist transitioning from traditional training methods to eLearning. To overcome any hesitation it’s important to demonstrate eLearning’s ROI with positive data and results. It’s also important to bring stakeholders along and involve them early, providing support through tutorials and live demonstrations to ease the transition.
Best L&D Practices for In-house eLearning Development
1. Apply Instructional Design Models
Use frameworks like ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) or SAM (Successive Approximation Model) to guide eLearning development. These models ensure a structured approach, focusing on aligning content with objectives, creating engaging designs, and incorporating iterative feedback for continuous improvement.
2. Leverage Templates and Reusable Assets
Save time with standardised templates and reusable graphics or interactions to maintain consistency across courses as well as a polished look and feel.
3. Incorporate Multimedia
Enhance engagement with videos, animations, and simulations while balancing multimedia with text for clarity and accessibility.
4. Focus on Learner Engagement
Include interactivity like quizzes and gamification, and ensure mobile-friendly design for flexible, on-the-go learning.
5. Ensure Accessibility and Inclusivity
Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure your eLearning content is accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities. These guidelines emphasise features like readable text, keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and providing captions or transcripts for multimedia. Offering alternative formats for visuals, videos, and interactions ensures inclusivity and compliance with accessibility standards.
6. Test and Iterate
Conduct usability testing pre-launch and use learner feedback to refine and improve future eLearning projects.
How we can help
Training courses like our Certified Articulate Training allow you to trial and evaluate award-winning authoring tools, so you can play around without any financial commitment.
You’ll also learn how to structure a course so that it’s both meaningful and engaging, be exposed to a wide range of approaches, methods and techniques, and gain a better understanding of the learner’s perspective (having completed the course yourself).
Find out more about the different training sessions we offer and book into an upcoming course. We’d love you to join us!