8 Types of eLearning Methods for Corporate Training

Employees are an integral part of any organization, which is why it’s crucial to form personal connections with them. For companies, this translates to making a conscious effort to retain employees by all means possible. Employees look for an opportunity to grow, and if an organization is able to provide them with that, they are more likely to stick around.

Employers can ensure employee loyalty and retention by doubling down on corporate training. Traditionally, corporate training was dependent on instructors who have expertise in subjects relevant to the training needs of an organization. The organization would then hold seminars, workshops, and training sessions led by the instructor(s). All this has changed with the introduction of the internet and digital learning. At eLearning Partners, we customize versatile multimedia training modules for improved personal connections at your company. We specifically specialize in producing custom micro-learning curriculums up to 8 times faster than our competition without sacrificing quality. Also, we created this blog post to share with you everything you need to know about eLearning.

What are eLearning and Custom eLearning Development?

eLearning is any learning material delivered via the internet. eLearning has found its way into the world of corporate training as a form of valuable communication and real engagement. It has many benefits for both the employer and the employees – not only is it highly efficient, but it is also cheaper to execute. Custom eLearning Development provides convenience, flexibility, reliability, and scalability to any corporate training program. However, it is difficult to choose between the plethora of options available. Here are some of the eLearning methods that a company can include in its corporate training program:

1. Web eLearning

Web eLearning is based on website content. Employees can access this website from their personal devices or through the company’s internet. Websites provide employees with the flexibility to learn as and when they can or want to. It does not limit learning to a particular space and allows users to access the information whenever they wish to do so. A website also gives the flexibility to add multimedia, such as text, videos, images, and more. This adds a new dimension to eLearning and makes it more interactive and engaging for the employees. It also familiarizes employees with web-based tools so they can get acquainted with modes of internal communication at your company.

Most of our favorite eLearning platforms have a web version available.

2. Virtual Classrooms

Virtual classrooms are basically the modern version of an instructor-led corporate training session. This allows both instructors and attendees to be involved in the process. Instructors are present in the classroom with the help of video software while attendees are present physically. This can also be done remotely via conferencing software. This eLearning model encourages collaboration, ideation, and engagement, helping to create an environment for personal connections. The ‘presence’ of an expert allows back-and-forth questioning, a live learning experience, and a human element that other modes lack.

The most common tools for virtual classrooms are Zoom and Microsoft Teams, although there are also numerous others. You can set up the interactions in multiple ways. For example, maybe you just have the teacher on camera and students can submit questions over chat. Or perhaps you have students on camera as well. Virtual classrooms also allow for multiple teachers or subject matter experts.

3. Video Modules

Video modules are produced by learning videos that have been made in advance for the reference of the employees. These modules can be animated or with a human instructor. The opportunities are endless when it comes to creating videos for a corporate training program. This is also a highly flexible mode of eLearning, as the videos can be accessed by users anytime they want. They also have the ability to play the videos as many times as they wish. When it comes to grasping a concept, videos often perform much better than text because humans love graphic-based delivery. The colors, seamless explanation and video format make eLearning easier for the employees.

Video modules can be as simple or complex as you need. To keep things simple, use a program like Loom to screen-capture a video and then send the link to your learners. Or you can choose to record a video module with your phone. For larger budgets, you may want to use a specialized training video production company.

4. Specialized eLearning

Every organization has different corporate training needs and every employee or group of employees has different needs when it comes to their corporate training. In such scenarios, mass-produced and general corporate training modules just don’t cut it. With custom eLearning development, there is the flexibility of having the ability to choose and customize corporate training programs. With eLearning, employers can establish a personal connection with their employees as they are able to accurately fulfill their needs and not have them learn something that they might either already know or have no need to learn.

5. Social Media Training

The world has gone social and employers are just catching up, especially when it comes to corporate training. This eLearning model creates a collaborative environment for the employees and taps into the power of social media. Through a platform like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, this program delivers the required knowledge and does so in a cohesive way that encourages teamwork and collaboration. If social media is a key part of your company, this will improve employees’ familiarity with important methods of internal and external communication.

Don’t forget that YouTube qualifies as social media, and that is an incredibly popular option for hosting video modules. You can even use YouTube Shorts or TikTok for microlearning videos.

6. Microlearning

Microlearning refers to the delivery of eLearning content in the form of information nuggets. Most microlearning modules will be 1, 3, or 5 minutes long. You can have the occasional module that is 10 to 15 minutes long but these are only ideal if dividing the module into two would interrupt the learning. Microlearning can take nearly any form. It can be a short video, a short piece of written content, or anything else.

With microlearning, each module focuses on just one topic; this allows users and readers to retain information in a more efficient manner. With microlearning, corporate training reaches a new level of efficiency as it allows better retention rates and finds a way to battle the forgetfulness curve. After adopting this eLearning method, the corporate training strategy dives into establishing a strong personal connection with its employees. The average attention span of humans is not more than 8 minutes and microlearning battles this by creating short, relevant, and concise pieces of eLearning modules that make corporate training more of a success.

Related Read: eLearning vs. Microlearning: What are the Differences?

7. Mobile Learning

When it comes to eLearning, accessibility plays a crucial role. What better way to stay accessible than to go the mobile route? Through mobile eLearning, employees have access to the needed information in the comfort of their homes or even during the train ride to work. Mobile learning puts corporate training right into the palms of the employees, thus allowing them the freedom to refer to it as and when they wish.

You will notice that many of the eLearning platform providers we mention below have mobile apps, including Kajabi and Talent Cards. Talent Cards are especially useful for mobile learning as you can have learners scan QR codes that take them to a specific module. Users can also download modules to use later without an internet connection.

8. AR and VR Learning

You can also have augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) learning. Augmented reality is the real world with something virtual added on top. Pokémon Go is an excellent example, as you can use your camera to see the real world and Pokémon.

By contrast, virtual reality involves a virtual world. The Metaverse and Facebook Meta are good examples of this. You put on VR goggles and are in a fully virtual world. Facebook is already using VR for employee training.

Nine of The Top eLearning Platform Providers

Many companies are using external online course providers to train their employees. And this doesn't necessarily require their staff to click through dull presentation slides anymore. Numerous learning platforms offer high-quality courses based on modern video content and in-course interaction. Below, we present an overview of the six best e-learning providers for companies of all types – from medium-sized to large organizations.

*Disclosure: we only recommend products we use or would use ourselves, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, may give us a small commission. Thank you for your support!

Kajabi

Serving over 60 million students with the support of 50,000 plus users in 120 countries, Kajabi empowers influencers, experts, and entrepreneurs to build a successful businesses online. They provide a single platform that can house everything, including your website, online course, blog, emails, products, analytic reports, and more! 

Kajabi also provides a more efficient way of combining marketing automation and making sales using their ‘Pipelines’ tool.  Kajabi stands out because it is a BMS in addition to an LMS. 

Plans Available: Basic, Growth, and Pro Plans

Starting Cost: $119/month (billed annually)

LearnWorlds

LearnWorlds is very similar to Kajabi but with one important difference – it supports SCORM files. Like Kajabi, LearnWorlds is a BMS as well as an LM, and it is designed for external courses. You can use LearnWorlds for video modules, micro-learning, web learning, mobile learning, or even white-labeling an app.

However, LearnWorlds doesn’t have the email marketing tools that Kajabi has.

Plans Available: Starter, Pro Trainer, Learning Center Plans

Starting Cost: $39/month + $5 transaction fee per course sale (billed annually)

TalentLMS 

TalentLMS is specifically an internal platform, so it is designed for corporate training. This platform includes gamification to improve engagement. It also has an amazing customer support team. You can use it for virtual classrooms, web learning, mobile learning, video modules, and microlearning.

Plans Available: Starter, Basic, Plus, Premium, Enterprise Plans

Starting Cost: $69/month (billed annually)

Talent Cards

Talent Cards is from the same company, but it is specifically designed for mobile users. The user interface is very reminiscent of TikTok or Instagram. It is excellent for microlearning and video learning.

Plans Available: Free, Standard, Premium Plans

Starting Cost: $40/month (billed annually)

Teachable

Teachable is an online business platform that provides Online Courses and workshops. They have more than 100,000 instructors who offer e-learning opportunities focused on leadership development, education enrichment, and expanding businesses. Additionally, they provide customizable resources and learning tools to create your online course or coaching business while providing financial support with payouts, taxes, affiliates, and authors!

Plans Available: Free, Basic and Pro Plans

Starting Cost: $39/user/month (billed annually)

Coursera

Coursera is the world's largest platform for online courses from universities and other establishments, with some courses already exceeding one million enrolled learners.

Coursera for Business grants access to their professional learning portal. You can compile courses for your employees yourself or get suggestions from the Coursera experts. Also, providing Learning analytics tools can be used to evaluate the learning behavior based on data reports.

Plans available: Team / Enterprise

Starting Cost: $399/user/year

Udemy

Udemy was founded by a collection of independent experts in their respective fields. The Learning and development departments can find relevant content at Udemy for Business. At Udemy, companies are granted access to 2,500 of the most relevant training courses. 

Plans available: Team / Enterprise

Starting Cost: $360/user/year (up to 20 employees)

Skillshare

Skillshare provides a large number of short, practical video lessons (often under an hour long). It's about adding instant and practical skills that they can use on a day-to-day basis. Skillshare for Teams offers over 15,000 short video lessons.

Plans available: Starter / Enterprise

Starting Cost: $99/user/year

EdX

EdX is known for its high-quality video courses from top U.S. universities like Harvard and MIT. It's the only non-profit organization among the major course providers.

EdX for Business provides thousands of courses for corporate customers. Like Coursera, courses can be integrated into the corporate Learning Management System, and in-depth learning analytics data is available. For a price, you must request a quote and negotiate on individual bases.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning evolved from Lynda.com and other predecessor platforms. It uses insights from its professional network about the skills that are in high demand among employers.

With LinkedIn Learning for Business, it provides learning content that is intended to close the skills gap between existing and required skills. Prices need to be agreed upon individually. Interested organizations can test the available functions with a free demo version.

Benefits of E-learning

Your education does not have to stop because of a pandemic. Online learning caters to the modernized learner, and it's rising in popularity, especially during the COVID-19 situation. Here are five advantages of e-learning.

1. Saves Time and Money

When it comes to online learning, you can access the platform anywhere and anytime. You don’t need to take time off of work to attend the lecture. In addition to that, it's cost-effective. You wouldn't have to waste money on gas and printing out material.

2. Better retention

Modern learners retain information better if it's more interactive and bite-sized. People would rather listen to a podcast or watch a video than read through a textbook.

3. Consistent

The problem with face-to-face sessions is the lack of consistency, especially if every professor has different teaching styles and preferences.

Fortunately, online learning offers consistent training, which means that everyone goes through the same experience, regardless of where or when they take the course.

4. Scalable

You can use as many employees as you need, and it's only a one-time investment. The more students you have, the faster you can write off those expenses. 

5. Personalization

Everybody has different learning goals and preferences. Online learning makes it possible to cater to everyone's needs. Students can choose their path and navigate at their own pace. They decide what to learn and when to learn the material, leading to better personalization.

6. Flexibility for your employees

Today's employees want workplace solutions that fit their lifestyles. Providing training that can be accessed when it works best for them accounts for your employee's need for flexibility, thus improving overall employee morale.

eLearning - Engagement, Versatility, Autonomy

eLearning is a powerful tool for corporate training. It taps into an essential element of employer-employee relations – personal connection. Choosing eLearning indicates that you’re paying attention to the latest trends in training culture that are here to stay. eLearning methods continue to develop and adapt to you and your employees’ needs, providing an engaging and always modern solution for ongoing learning and training. Your employees will never feel like they’re repeating the same task or lesson over and over again. Instead, they’ll look forward to a new modality (whether a virtual classroom, video, or social media training component) that will help them develop their professional skills.

eLearning allows employees the freedom, flexibility, and independence to learn at their own pace. It also broadens the horizon of possible resources due to the internet and the global reach that comes with it. Visit our custom eLearning development page to get started with eLearning for your company.