5 Reasons Why Online Learning Engages Employees in Training

 Have you ever tried to get someone interested in what you were saying or doing, only to have that person zone out on you? Of course you have. Being unsuccessful at engaging others is part of the human experience. In day-to-day life situations in which we are simply sharing with others things of interest to us, this is harmless enough. However, in corporate training situations, it’s a different story. Failure to engage employees in training is a big problem that can cost organizations big money.

Learner Engagement Ensures a Return on Investment in Training

According to a Bersin report from 2014, the average company spends about $4,000 yearly on each employee’s training. This means a company employing 100 people doles out $400,000 on learning and development, and an organization with 100,000 employees spends $1 million yearly on training. Clearly, companies are making huge investments into training their staff. However, if there is minimal return on investment, the money is practically wasted. The good news is a company can help ensure that employees comprehend and use the pricey training being offered to them. The only way to accomplish this is through engaging learners. How? By offering online learning-based employee training.

5 Reasons Why Online Learning Engages Employees in Training

Company leaders may choose to train their employees through an online platform, in-person, or via a blended learning model, which is a combination of both. In-person, classroom-style learning has its advantages, but it’s not what most people would call engaging. Some folks think traditional learning is downright boring. However, online learning, while perhaps boring to some, is generally well received by adult learners.

Online learning tends to be engaging for a variety of reasons. Here are a few examples of why online learning engages employees in training:

• It is visually appealing – Depending on how it is visually designed, online learning can be beautiful. Many eLearning designers know how to use color and graphics to create visually appealing online learning atmospheres that engage the mind.
• It is fun – The most engaging aspect of online learning is probably its “fun factor.” When designed well, and especially when it has been gamified, eLearning doesn’t feel like work; it feels like play or entertainment.
• It tells a story – People love stories, regardless of if they are communicated through movies, music, books, or even eLearning. Much eLearning is designed in story form. Christopher Pappas wrote, “There are a number of reasons why storytelling is so effective in eLearning. Not only does it help to motivate learners and create a more immersive experience, but it also allows them to feel more emotionally connected to the subject matter.” If you want to truly engage a learner, present training information in a storyline. An online learning atmosphere is the perfect place to do this.
• It is quick – Nick Ramsay, writer for eLearning Industry, said, “Recent research suggests that the average human attention span is now only 8 seconds. A Vine is 6 seconds, a Snapchat is 10 seconds, and a Tweet is no more than 140 characters. The modern learner is used to a) communication and b) consuming media in a format that is short and snappy.” Because it can be consumed in tiny amounts (i.e., microlearning), eLearning is brilliant at capturing and keeping a learner’s attention. 5-minute videos, 400-word blog posts, 5-question quizzes, and 3-minute digital games that promote employee training are all examples of microlearning. Microlearning can be incredibly engaging, especially compared to traditional learning that usually requires hours of focused attention.
• It is accessible – In the workplace, convenience is everything. Whether they are CEOs or entry-level workers, employees are busy. It’s tough to make time to attend less-than-interesting in-person trainings. With mobile learning, a type of online learning and a feature of most learning management systems, employees can access training resources anytime. “Anytime” means day or night, from any device with a Web browser and Internet access. This type of learning is convenience at its finest. Mobile learning greatly increases the likelihood that employees will interact with training information, which is the first and most essential step in learning new skills.

The Best Way to Deliver eLearning is Through an LMS

The best way to deliver eLearning is through a social learning management system (LMS). LMSs are funnels through which online learning-based training flows. Feature-rich LMSs give employees access to social media, mobile learning, realtime chat, calendaring, video conferencing, and more, all on one online platform. With the hundreds of learning management systems available, it can be tough to choose the right one. Your company will benefit most from an LMS that is affordable, never charges per-user fees, and is full-featured. TOPYX, an award-winning LMS, perfectly fits this description. Get your free trial of TOPYX LMS today.

The most difficult aspect of employee training is getting adult learners fully engaged in the material being presented. Because it is visually pleasing, fun, accessible, quick, and story-based, online learning deeply engages employees and helps them transfer the training they receive online to real-life situations.