E-learning

An effective way to conduct training is through e-learning. E-learning actually covers all learning that takes place using digital tools, but usually web-based learning in some form is referred to when using the term.

E-learning is popular in both schools and businesses. It is common to use media such as video, audio, text and images in their training material. Usually there are also various tests and interactive elements linked to e-learning.

Getting started with e-learning

To get started with an e-learning initiative, there are really only three things needed.

1. An e-learning platform - a so-called learning platform or LMS.
2. A content to put on that platform.
3. Someone to carry out the training.

There are many variants of e-learning and platforms, many of which are based on legacy technologies with standards such as SCORM or AICC. Many systems require separate authoring tools to build the courses according to these older standards, while other more modern systems instead allow the user to upload and package their content directly into the system.

Evercate is an example of the latter, where instead of building the course in a separate system, you upload the files you want to reach out with and stitch together the packaging directly in the tool.

Another difference among suppliers is their focus.

Most platforms are industry-independent. This means that they work quite well for most industries. Others, such as Evercate, are niche platforms designed to work particularly well for specific industries. In Evercate's case, the niche is Retail, Hotels & Restaurants and Franchise.

Cost of e-learning

Producing and working with e-learning need not be expensive, time-consuming or difficult. When comparing the cost between e-learning and traditional physical training, it is important to take several parameters into account to get the full picture.

Whether you are developing a traditional course or e-learning, time needs to be spent on creating and developing the course itself and preparing it for the format chosen. In addition, there are the following costs to consider for each format.

Traditional education

• The time spent on preparing each lesson/course session.
• The cost of the premises the course is held in.
• The cost of the lecturer.
• The cost of any travel and accommodation associated with the course.
• The loss of production for the person while they are on the course.
• Substitute to cover for the person who is absent.

E-learning

• The cost of production.
• the cost of the platform used.
• the loss of production (albeit less in e-learning) for the staff while they carry out the digital training.
  

The biggest economic benefit of e-learning is in the running costs. Once you produce your course, it's there, and the few running costs you have are for the platform and for the small amount of production downtime that occurs. The fact that the production loss is less for e-learning than for traditional training is partly because e-learning is generally more efficient as the same knowledge is acquired in a shorter time. Secondly, e-learning can be divided into smaller portions, which means that the course can be spread over a longer period of time and completed outside of scheduled times or when the participant still has quieter periods in his/her schedule.

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