A learning system based on formalised teaching but with the help of electronic

resources is known as E-learning. While teaching can be based in or out of the

classrooms, the use of computers and the Internet forms the major component of E-
learning.

What is eLearning?
To get started, let’s establish an eLearning definition. So, what is eLearning? eLearning,
or electronic learning, is the delivery of learning and training through digital resources.
Although eLearning is based on formalized learning, it is provided through electronic
devices such as computers, tablets and even cellular phones that are connected to the
internet. This makes it easy for users to learn anytime, anywhere, with few, if any,
restrictions. Basically, eLearning is training, learning, or education delivered online
through a computer or any other digital device.

The History of eLearning

To better understand how eLearning benefits organizations today, it’s helpful to look at
its past. Elliott Maisie coined the term “eLearning” in 1999, marking the first time the
phrase was used professionally. In the years since, eLearning’s reputation has gone
from strength to strength. But what factors have facilitated eLearning in becoming the
most popular way to deliver training today? Some of these factors include:

• The Internet – Prior to the rise of the internet, many relied on printed manuals,
CD-ROMS and other restrictive methods for learning and training. The rise of the
internet allowed organizations to abandon one-dimensional practices and utilize
the flexibility of eLearning.
• Development of Multimedia – As eLearning progressed, the ability to integrate
elements such as images, videos, audio and graphics proved to be a more
reliable way of keeping learners engaged compared to traditional learning.
• Affordable Digital Devices – Considering the first IBM computer cost the
equivalent of almost $5000 today, it’s understandable that eLearning popularity
rose as digital devices became more affordable. Mobile learning also hugely
facilitated the growth of eLearning.
• Well-Built Learning Management Systems – LMS’s have become more
sophisticated, moving from locally installed to cloud-based systems, with
 organizations increasingly applying them to execute many forms of training.
There are many things to consider when choosing an LMS; at a minimum ensure
it has the functionality and support you need to meet your objectives and those of
your learners.

How to Deliver eLearning

Now that we’ve outlined the definition and history (rise?) of eLearning, you’ll have a
better idea of exactly what it is. Implementing eLearning into your organization is
beneficial and easy to do. Whether you want to use eLearning to keep your employees
up to date on company policies, or to help your customers better understand your
product, there are a number of eLearning methods you can use.

Using an LMS

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application that is used to deliver

online training. A great LMS will go beyond this, by providing you with the features and
support you need to execute your eLearning strategy perfectly. Selecting an LMS can
be daunting at first, but analyzing your training needsand defining your requirements,
should narrow your search significantly. There are several different types of LMS’s that
you can choose from, such as cloud-based, open source, commercial, and installation-
based. Cloud-based LMS’s have become the default for online learning as they allow
you to quickly create courses, enroll users easily, and accurately report on learner
progress. A good cloud-based LMS should allow you to easily scale your training
delivery and be backed by a superb customer success team whose sole objective is to
ensure you succeed.

SCORM

To those new to the eLearning world, SCORM seems like a confusing concept. But we’ll
break it down here to help you better understand what it is. The good news is that using
SCORM provides your learner with a more interactive, engaging experience, and allows
you greater control over the time spent on your
courses.
SCORM is an acronym that stands for Shareable Content Object Reference Model. But
don’t let that bewilder you! Basically, SCORM is a set of technical specifications that
were developed to provide a common approach to how eLearning content is developed
and used. It standardizes the way in which eLearning courses are created and
launched. Most SCORM courses are developed using popular authoring tools and
therefore follow a similar structure. To use SCORM in your eLearning, you need to
ensure that you have a SCORM-compliant LMS. Be aware however that SCORM adds
extra expense to eLearning delivery due to the cost of using an authoring tool. However,
the benefits of using SCORM within your eLearning courses makes it worth the
investment.

xAPI

Over the past couple of years, xAPI has become the popular new standard for
delivering online training. xAPI is often described as the next evolution of SCORM, as it
has redefined some of the fundamental practices of tracking learning experiences. It
adds extra performance to SCORM and removes a lot of the restrictions of older
specifications. It offers a level of flexibility that suits today’s fast-paced world. Moderns
learners want to learn on-the-go; while commuting to work, or while grabbing a coffee.
xAPI has the ability to track these learning experiences, whether they happen within an
LMS or not, in one simple, consistent format. xAPI will essentially give you a holistic
understanding of your learners’ experience. However, xAPI isn’t without limitations.
Some organizations misinterpret it’s capabilities and think that using Tin Cin will result in
beautifully designed course content. This isn’t the case. The xAPI spec doesn’t improve
UX or UI, and won’t modify the design of a course in any way. xAPI only governs how
data is tracked and stored.

Types of eLearning Training

People use eLearning for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s to develop new skills or
learn remotely, the convenience and accessibility eLearning offers is huge. Here, we’ll
explain the 4 types of eLearning training that LearnUpon helps you deliver.

Employee Training

Employee training is the most frequent type of eLearning organizations use an LMS for.
Organizations utilize employee training for numerous reasons, such as onboarding new
hires and improving employee performance. Training employees using an LMS
formalizes training delivery and makes it more efficient. Compared to traditional training,
eLearning more effectively encourages professional development by promoting
knowledge and an eLearning culture. Furthermore, your LMS should allow you to create
exams, run reports and gather feedback so that you can continuously assess and
improve training performance.

Compliance Training

Compliance training is a necessity for most organizations. It informs your employees on

the laws or regulations applicable to their role and industry. Compliance training is
mandatory and tackles topics such as health, safety, and dignity in the
workplace. Some examples of compliance training include:

• Diversity Training
• HR Law
• Anti-Harassment Training

Running a smooth compliance training program helps to minimize the risk of non-
compliance and maintains your reputation. Your employees will also benefit from a
safer, more productive workplace. Furthermore, keeping up-to-date with changing
legislation and amending your training materials is made easier with eLearning via a
reliable LMS.

Customer Training

The idea of training your customers may seem like an odd notion. But it has profound
value! Customer training programs help your customers use and understand your
product or service. This type of training is especially popular with software providers. As
well as raising the customer experience, customer training benefits the organizations
that run them too. You will experience better customer onboarding, increased
engagement with your product or services, and improved customer retention.

Partner Training

Also known as reseller training, partner training gives your partners the tools they need
to be successful members of your network. Types of training include product information
training, sales training, support training, marketing guidance, etc. Often certified training
is a prerequisite to becoming a partner. Partner training presents many benefits; it can
help you engage partners, reduce support costs, scale growth, and protect your brand.

Benefits of eLearning for your Organization

The advantages of each of these 4 streams of training have been briefly outlined, and
you’ll now have a better understanding of what eLearning offers you and your learners.
Here we’ll talk in more detail about the broader benefits you’ll experience when you use
eLearning in your
organization.

Cost Effective

This is one of the most significant benefits eLearning presents, and probably the most
welcome! Traditional training can be expensive and often frustrating to maintain.
eLearning removes the need for costly printed training materials and even on-site
instructors. If modules within your content need to change, this can be done easily via
your LMS without having to print and distribute updated training materials.

Saves Time
Time is precious, especially in a work environment, so why not save as much of it as
you can? For employers, eLearning keeps any updates you need to impart
simple. Whether you need to implement changes to your training content or company
policies, eLearning allows you to easily add them to your LMS. This saves you a
considerable amount of time on the organization of reprints, etc. Learners can also save
time by accessing content where and when they need to, rather than relying on
scheduled training. And you can use your LMS to automate manual tasks, making
training management more time efficient.

Improves Performance and Productivity

eLearning allows learners to quickly and more easily complete their training, resulting in
improved performance and greater productivity. Learners appreciate that they can
participate in training at their convenience. They’re likely to feel more motivated to
further their professional goals through eLearning, as it gives them the flexibility to learn
at their own pace and from a location of their choosing.

Lower Environmental Impact

More and more organizations are making a conscious effort to reduce their carbon
footprint as part of their corporate responsibility strategy. eLearning is an effective
method if you aim to have a lower environmental impact. It offers an alternative to
paper-based learning and contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally-
friendly workplace. Now that you have a better understanding of what eLearning and its
benefits, why not learn more about what LearnUpon’s LMS can do for your
organization? Schedule your free trial and demo today