Designing Digitally
06/16/2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is not the first of its kind to impact the world. In fact, we have suffered far worse in the past and recovered every time. Plague, Leprosy, Smallpox, and Cholera, to name a few, were all caused by viruses and each one changed the face of human existence on this planet. In the wake of such global crises, economies have collapsed, businesses have closed their doors, and people have been left jobless.
But today is different for one key reason. Today, we possess an incredible tool that we didn’t have before: the internet. The internet gave us access to a bounty of resources. Everything, from do-it-yourself crafts (DIY) or tutorial videos, to learning to grow your business in a few easy steps, became accessible to anyone, anywhere with the internet. Sure, the internet keeps us informed and allows us to share information about current events; but, from an economic standpoint, businesses are increasingly taking to the internet to help keep their businesses afloat, and even flourish. By using remote learning solutions, business owners facilitate their employees’ ability to stay connected and further develop and apply their skills. This establishes a symbiotic relationship that benefits the employee and the company in a number of ways.
When quarantine began, everything was uncertain. No one could predict exactly how the pandemic would influence the global economy, although many tried. Most people quickly switched to remote work environments or began working from home. Since most companies’ infrastructures had not been designed for such a situation, employers rushed to find solutions. eLearning and other virtual training solutions became a vital way to connect dispersed team members and offer instant support. What was already becoming the future of employee training took off.
Online learning platforms are working hard to keep up with increasing numbers of online learners. Remote training and remote workplace platforms are becoming the new norm, and more employees are choosing to continue working from home even as the spread of the virus slows. The impact of COVID-19 on learning and development has ushered in a new generation of remote workers. Just as we have in the past, we are swiftly adapting to how we communicate, shop, educate, and work to our ever-changing environment.
There is no doubt that remote work and remote employee training are here to stay. This means that, to keep our employees engaged and happy, we need to incorporate new content delivery methods. Here are some solutions for companies looking to implement and sustain a work-from-home regimen:
With online learning, employee learners depend on internet access to exchange information. Existing online learning platforms and online classrooms encourage student-teacher interaction and improve course completion rates. Some businesses’ needs are so niche that existing online solutions are simply not enough to truly help employees thrive. This is where custom-made learning programs and platforms come in. Online course developers can create a solution that specifically targets your company and employee needs.
Although many people think that online learning and eLearning are the same, there is a difference that sets them apart. Online learning includes learning that takes place entirely in an online medium and using online tools. eLearning includes online learning, but also can include learning that takes place while a trainer is present in a traditional classroom setting, who is delivering online training. This can also be known as blended learning methods. So, even though a trainer can be required in both cases, online learning takes place in online classrooms while eLearning can happen in both online and traditional learning settings.
While online learning and eLearning can be outsourced to any remote learning developer, distance education is more closely linked to formal educational institutions. This means that an employer pays for formal higher education that specific employees, for example, managers, would undertake. Similar to eLearning and online learning, distance education relies heavily on the internet, online classrooms, and training professionals.
This type of remote training involves connecting employee learners with international programs that can help increase global competencies in a variety of subjects. Virtual exchange is regularly used for college-level education. It can be used by employers to promote skills and knowledge acquisition among employees who show high growth potential but lack formal training.
As the global COVID-19 pandemic continues to limit in-person interaction, remote learning solutions allow companies to continue growing. eLearning, online learning, distance education, and even virtual exchange are the main tools used to prepare employees for remote training. Employers can rely on an off-the-rack course or hire a professional course developer to create a bespoke solution. Regardless of what the world will look like at the end of the pandemic, one thing is clear: Coronavirus has changed employee training at its core. To learn more about this topic, download the full ebook!
If you are in any need of assistance with eLearning development or preparing your remote workforce, contact our team to discuss your training needs today.
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