Corporate training is not what it used to be. Having been through profound changes in the past two decades, innovative training programs are carefully designed for interaction. And there’s a reason for it. Recent studies link interactive, dynamic content with higher retention rate on the matters at hand.
The leap in corporate training
What was once done in a face-to-face meeting or via classroom ‘sit-and-listen’ approach has been adapted to a corporate learning model based on a non-classroom on-demand environment, supported by online communication and content distribution systems, also known as e-learning.
According to our research, 98% of all companies are planning to implement E-learning during 2020, and at least 74% of companies are already using Learning management systems (LMS) and virtual classrooms, webcasting or video broadcasting.
What makes E-learning such an effective way to deliver learning content to participants? Could it be a gamechanger, for both organizations and employees? In a nutshell, a strong case could be made in e-learning’s favor:
E-learning is multi-faceted, more engaging, visual, haptic, and gives the opportunity to revisit training as needed. That is the key to boost retention rates by up to 60%, versus only 8% to 10% with traditional training.
Employees can reduce the training time by 60% with e-learning, with time savings deriving from a reduction in travel time, breaks, meals, as well as kick-off and wrap-up speeches in learning lessons.
Remote learning courses consume 90% less resources than traditional training. Given the fact that there’s no need to travel, CO2 emissions are reduced.
Companies can save up to 80% of regular costs with E-learning in printing, training rooms, trainer fees, travel, catering and other materials.
A changing elearning landscape requires new coping mechanisms
The fast-paced innovation rate in e-learning makes it easy for companies to lose focus on what actually drives engagement – interactive content design to get the message across to employees in different roles and areas of the company.
As a complement to great e-learning content, our research highlights the vital few trends worth exploring for corporations looking to setup their internal e-learning models:
On-demand broadcasting platforms are driving continuous learning - The same way Netlifx or Amazon Prime show what is recommend for you, other platforms such as LXP (Learning Experience Platform ) suggest courses oriented for a specific individual, based on examples in your field (e.g. Marketing, Sales, Customer Support). These kinds of “automatic” suggestions are based in the user’s profile.
AI is one of the most recent ways to drive interaction - AI makes it easier for employees to interact with important content in a more engaging and fun way. Resources like Robot Temi, a personal robot that can be used as an AI mentor, provide learners with access to a customized training by analyzing data collected from the previous activities. A more effective, faster and personalized way of engaging with company values and internal corporate information.
AR, VR and MR - Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Merged Reality promise to be an holistic solution for E-learning in companies, coming out from specific training areas like aviation, military or manufacturing, to any other work fields that might want to explore effective real-life simulations. AR/VR/MR can detect how an employee would react in a work situation, for example: in customer support or healthcare. The most positive side of this E-learning technique is the reduction of employee’s bad practices on daily basis. Google AR&VR or CenarioVR are good options.
Corporate podcasts: Podcasts are a practical learning approach, driving results right now. Podcasts are helping employees feel motivated to learn new corporative information. A podcast works like a radio show, audio book or lecture inside a company, which offers a convenient message distribution in a more engaging way, having benefits like reaching remote workers and offering a more compelling method to learn besides the traditional written way. With podcasts employees can learn while performing other tasks, like walking, on a coffee break, working out or driving. This type of e-learning content can be used to share interviews with experts, soft skills, foreign language and new hire orientations.
Corporate training has come a long away from the days of ‘sit-and-listen’ approach. As evidence builds around the fact that interaction improves retention capability, top performers are turning to e-learning as a way of boosting employee engagement and motivation.