The online learning sphere has undergone rapid developments in recent years. The technologies behind digital learning platforms have come on in leaps and bounds, meaning that there are a whole host of fantastic new opportunities for educational establishments to take advantage of.
There are a many key new aspects of e-Learning to be aware of including:
- the new ubiquitousness of multi device learning
- the impressive functionality of the virtual classroom
- the impressive scope of learning management software (LMS) and learning content management software (LCMS)
- the growth in demand for distance learning
- the convenience of cloud based learning software
All these aspects come together to contribute to two clear facts:
- There’s never been such high demand for online training courses
- It’s never been so easy to produce and host online training courses
Whether your organisation is a school, college, university, language school or corporate training facility, if you’re not already offering online learning and multi device learning opportunities; now is most certainly the time to do so.
Why has online learning become so popular?
#1. Convenience
E-Learning has rapidly grown in popularity for a number of reasons. We believe that the most important of these reasons is convenience. In the modern world we are all very busy and it can be difficult for potential students to set aside a clearly defined piece of time every week to attend a traditional in person course.
Online training courses offer a very attractive alternative to this. Instead of having to fit into a pre-defined timetable, students can opt to enrol in a course that they can dip in and out of on their own schedule.
They can choose to devote a couple of hours each week at a time that suits them, perhaps at the weekend or later on in the evening once their children are in bed. Alternatively, they can study in more frequent smaller chunks, such as during their lunch break.
It’s also well worth nothing that the growth of multi device learning makes it far easier for students to make use of so-called ‘dead time’ that would previously have been unusable to them. By using a smartphone or tablet, students can access learning materials during ‘dead time’ periods such as their commute, while waiting for meetings or appointments, or even while they accompany their children to after school activities.
Of course, though convenience is key, it isn’t the only factor in the growth of online learning.
# 2. Choice
Choice is also a big factor. Traditionally, a potential student’s geography would be the defining feature of their hunt for learning and training opportunities. They would have to choose a course that was easily accessible to them as they would need to attend in person. Online learning has changed this.
Now students don’t have to limit themselves to training providers that are located in their vicinity. Instead, they can properly weigh up all the other benefits of a course, including teaching style, quality, digital resources, subjects covered and the expertise of the tutors.
Finally, it’s fair to say that cost has been a big factor in the growth of online training courses. For many potential students, the often high cost of in person training was frequently prohibitive. Online courses are typically much more affordable thanks to the far lower cost of running the courses. This means that students that wouldn’t have been able to access traditional training options are now able to use this resource.
How will online training courses help you increase the scale of your reach?
Educational establishments rely on consistent student numbers for survival. If you are unable to maintain enrolments, you’ll likely find that your organisation is in trouble.
If you don’t already offer online training courses, introducing these can be an excellent way to boost sign ups and breathe new digital life into your organisation.
They can do this by:
- Welcoming new students from across the globe: there are no geographical limitations to online courses
- Attracting busy students who wouldn’t be able to commit the time to enrol on a more traditional course. This type of student is likely to be particularly engaged by courses that offer multi device learning opportunities
- Offering up a range of online training and multi device learning opportunities at a range of price points. Online learning platforms make it easy and inexpensive for educational organisations to introduce a range of full and introductory courses in order to give potential students a taster of what is on offer.
If your organisation isn’t currently offering online courses but is interested in doing so in the future, why not read more about the benefits of a learning content management system (LCMS) when offering online and multi device learning?
You may also like:
- Advantage of e-learning
- How Do Students Benefit from an LCMS like Voluxion?
- Ten Signs Your School is Ready for a New Learning Content Management System