This blog post was updated on August 10, 2024.
E-learning offers numerous benefits, including cost-effectiveness, scalability, and the ability to reach a global audience. It allows learners to access educational content at their convenience, enabling self-paced learning and enhancing knowledge retention. Moreover, e-learning programs can be easily updated and customized to meet the specific needs of an organization or industry.
While the advantages of e-learning are evident, setting up a successful program requires careful planning and consideration of various factors.
This comprehensive guide will explore 10 key considerations to help you navigate the process of developing an effective e-learning program that delivers tangible results.
What is e-learning?
E-learning, or electronic learning, refers to the delivery of educational content, instruction, and resources through digital means. It leverages technology to enable learning experiences that can take place anytime, anywhere, without the constraints of a traditional classroom setting.
At its core, e-learning aims to facilitate knowledge acquisition, skill development, and personal growth through interactive and engaging digital platforms.
There are 3 primary types of e-learning:
→ Synchronous e-learning: This type of e-learning occurs in real-time, with learners and instructors participating simultaneously. Examples include virtual classrooms, webinars, and online meetings, where participants can interact, ask questions, and receive immediate feedback.
→ Asynchronous e-learning: In this mode, learners access educational materials and complete activities at their own pace and convenience, without the need for real-time interaction with instructors or peers. Common examples include self-paced online courses, pre-recorded video lectures, and interactive modules.
→ Blended learning: As the name suggests, blended learning combines elements of both synchronous and asynchronous e-learning, along with traditional face-to-face instruction. This approach allows for a flexible and comprehensive learning experience, leveraging the strengths of various delivery methods.
Learn more about e-learning by exploring the differences between e-learning, mobile learning, and microlearning.
10 steps to develop an e-learning program for deskless teams
1. Identify your learning objectives
Clearly defined learning objectives are the foundation of any successful e-learning program. They provide a roadmap for the entire development process, ensuring that the content aligns with the desired outcomes. Without clear objectives, the program risks becoming unfocused, ineffective, and a waste of valuable resources.
Your learning objectives should:
- Be aligned with the overarching goal of your organization;
- Be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound); and
- Provide a means for measuring your program’s success.
2. Know your audience
Understanding your target audience is a critical step in developing an effective e-learning program. Conducting a thorough audience analysis can provide valuable insights into their learning preferences, prior knowledge, motivations, and potential barriers. This information will guide you in creating content that resonates with your learners, ensuring better engagement and knowledge retention.
There are several methods to gather information about your audience:
- Surveys and questionnaires: Distribute online surveys or questionnaires to gather demographic data, learning preferences, and feedback from your potential learners. This can help you understand their backgrounds, goals, and expectations.
- Interviews and focus groups: Conduct one-on-one interviews or focus group discussions with a sample of your target audience. This qualitative approach can provide deeper insights into their needs, challenges, and perceptions.
- Observation and analytics: Observe your learners in their natural environments or analyze existing learning management system (LMS) data to understand their behavior, engagement levels, and performance.
- Persona development: Create learner personas based on the data collected. These fictional representations of your target audience can help you visualize their characteristics, goals, and pain points, making it easier to tailor your content accordingly.
Once you have gathered and analyzed the audience data, you can tailor your e-learning content to meet their specific needs. Here are some strategies:
✅ Personalize the learning experience: Incorporate personalized learning paths, adaptive content, and customizable options to cater to different learning styles, preferences, and prior knowledge levels.
✅ Use relatable examples and scenarios: Develop content that resonates with your learners' real-world experiences, using examples and scenarios they can relate to.
✅ Incorporate multimedia and interactive elements: Engage different learning preferences by incorporating a variety of multimedia elements, such as videos, animations, simulations, and interactive activities.
✅ Address potential barriers: Identify and address potential barriers to learning, such as language barriers, accessibility issues, or technological limitations, to ensure an inclusive and equitable learning experience.
✅ Continuously gather feedback: Implement mechanisms to collect ongoing feedback from your learners, allowing you to make data-driven improvements and adjustments to your e-learning program.
3. Choose the right e-learning platform
Selecting the right e-learning platform is crucial for the success of your program. With a vast array of options available, it's essential to evaluate factors such as features, scalability, user-friendliness, and cost to find the platform that best aligns with your organization's needs.When considering e-learning platforms, look for features that support your:
- Learning objectives;
- Content delivery methods; and
- Assessment requirements.
Some key features to consider include course authoring tools, multimedia integration, learner tracking and reporting, mobile compatibility, and integration with other systems (e.g., LMS, CRM).When evaluating platforms, consider factors such as:
- Ease of use
- Support and training resources
- Ability to customize and integrate with existing systems.
- Scalability
- Pricing models (perpetual licensing, subscription, or pay-per-use)
Once you've selected a platform, proper setup and configuration are crucial. Invest time in understanding the platform's features, creating a user-friendly interface, and setting up necessary integrations. Ensure that your platform is secure, compliant with relevant regulations, and accessible to all learners. Additionally, provide comprehensive training and support resources to ensure a smooth transition for both instructors and learners.
4. Develop engaging content
Creating engaging e-learning content is crucial for keeping learners motivated and ensuring effective knowledge transfer. Here are some best practices to follow:
🎓 Keep it concise and focused: Break down complex topics into smaller, digestible chunks. Use clear and concise language to convey information effectively.
🎓 Incorporate storytelling: Humans are wired to respond to stories. Use storytelling techniques to make your content more relatable, memorable, and engaging.
🎓 Use visuals effectively: Incorporate relevant visuals such as images, diagrams, and infographics to reinforce key concepts and break up text-heavy sections.
🎓 Personalize the learning experience: Use scenarios, case studies, and real-world examples that resonate with your learners' experiences and challenges.
🎓 Encourage active learning: Include interactive elements, such as quizzes, simulations, and scenario-based exercises, to promote active engagement and knowledge retention.
5. Incorporate instructional design principles
Incorporating instructional design principles is crucial when developing an effective e-learning program. These principles provide a structured framework for creating learning experiences that facilitate knowledge acquisition, skill development, and behavior change.
There are a few popular instructional design models that you can use to boost your e-learning program such as ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) and SAM (Successive Approximation Model).
The importance of a structured design process cannot be overstated. It ensures that the e-learning content is organized, coherent, and aligned with the desired learning outcomes. By following a systematic approach, instructional designers can create engaging and effective learning experiences that cater to different learning styles and preferences.
6. Ensure accessibility and inclusivity
An accessible e-learning experience ensures that individuals with disabilities or diverse needs can fully participate and benefit from the learning opportunities. By embracing accessibility and inclusivity, you not only create an equitable learning environment but also expand your potential audience and demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion.To enhance accessibility and inclusivity in your e-learning program, consider implementing the following tools and techniques:
✔️ Captioning and transcripts: Provide closed captions and transcripts for audio and video content to accommodate individuals with hearing impairments or those who prefer to read along.
✔️ Alt text and image descriptions: Include descriptive alt text for images and visual elements to ensure accessibility for individuals with visual impairments who use screen readers.
✔️ Keyboard navigation: Ensure that all interactive elements, such as buttons, links, and form fields, are fully accessible and operable using a keyboard for users who cannot use a mouse or other pointing devices.
✔️ Color contrast and font choices: Use color combinations and font styles that provide sufficient contrast and legibility for individuals with visual impairments or color blindness.
✔️ Responsive design: Develop your e-learning platform and materials with responsive design principles in mind, ensuring that they are accessible and usable across various devices and screen sizes.
✔️ Accessible document formats: Provide course materials and resources in accessible formats, such as HTML, PDF/UA (Universal Accessibility), or ePub, to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies like screen readers.
✔️ Customizable settings: Offer learners the ability to customize the e-learning experience according to their preferences, such as adjusting font sizes, color schemes, or enabling text-to-speech functionality.
7. Plan for assessment and feedback
Assessment and feedback are crucial components of any successful e-learning program. They help measure learners' progress, identify areas for improvement, and provide valuable insights for enhancing the overall learning experience.
Assessments can be broadly categorized into two types:
- Formative assessments: These are ongoing evaluations that occur throughout the learning process and provide learners with regular feedback. Examples of formative assessments include quizzes, assignments, and projects.
- Summative assessments: These are typically administered at the end of a course or module to evaluate the overall learning outcomes. They may take the form of exams, final projects, or capstone assignments.
Feedback is an integral part of the assessment process and plays a vital role in promoting learning and growth. Effective feedback should be timely, specific, and actionable, providing learners with clear guidance on how to improve their understanding and performance. It should also be constructive and motivating, encouraging learners to persist and overcome challenges.
8. Pilot and test your e-learning program
Piloting your e-learning program is a crucial step before the full-scale launch. It allows you to identify potential issues, gather feedback, and make necessary improvements to ensure a smooth and effective learning experience for your audience.
Piloting your e-learning program helps you:
- Identify technical glitches;
- Evaluate content effectiveness;
- Test usability and user experience; and
- Gather feedback for improvement.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to piloting your e-learning program:
1. Define pilot objectives: Clearly outline the goals and objectives of your pilot test. This will help you determine the scope, duration, and participant selection criteria.
2. Select pilot participants: Choose a representative sample of your target audience to participate in the pilot. Ensure diversity in terms of demographics, backgrounds, and skill levels to gather comprehensive feedback.
3. Prepare pilot materials: Develop guidelines, instructions, and any necessary supporting materials for the pilot participants. Clearly communicate the purpose, expectations, and feedback mechanisms.
4. Conduct the pilot: Run the pilot test, providing participants with access to your e-learning program and any necessary resources. Monitor their progress and engagement, and be available to address any issues or questions that arise.
5. Gather feedback: Collect feedback from pilot participants through various channels, such as surveys, interviews, or focus groups. Encourage honest and constructive feedback to identify areas for improvement.
9. Launch and promote your e-learning program
Launching your e-learning program is an exciting milestone, but it's crucial to have a well-planned strategy to ensure its success. A successful launch involves more than just making the program available; it requires effective promotion and engagement tactics to attract and retain learners.
Strategies for a successful e-learning program launch
🚀 Set a launch date: Establish a specific launch date and create a countdown to build anticipation and excitement among your target audience. Share teasers and sneak peeks to pique their interest.
🚀 Create a launch plan: Develop a comprehensive launch plan that outlines the steps, timelines, and responsibilities for various tasks, such as promotional activities, technical preparations, and stakeholder communication.
🚀 Involve stakeholders: Engage key stakeholders, such as subject matter experts, managers, and potential learners, in the launch process. Gather their input, address their concerns, and leverage their networks to promote the program.
🚀 Leverage internal communication channels: Utilize your organization's internal communication channels, such as your employee app, newsletters, and email lists, to announce the launch and share relevant information with all relevant employees.
10. Monitor and improve continuously
Launching an e-learning program is not the end of the journey; it's merely the beginning. Ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement are essential for ensuring the long-term success and effectiveness of your e-learning initiative.
Ongoing evaluation allows you to:
- Identify areas for improvement;
- Address any issues or challenges that arise; and
- Ensure that your e-learning program remains relevant and aligned with your organizational goals.
Regular evaluation also helps you measure the impact of your e-learning program on learner performance, productivity, and overall business outcomes.
Develop and launch your e-learning program with Oneteam
When it comes to developing a successful e-learning program for deskless workers, having the right tools and platform is crucial. Oneteam offers a comprehensive solution for HR professionals to create, launch, and evaluate their e-learning initiatives with ease.
- Internal Communication: Keep your deskless workforce informed and engaged with seamless internal communication tools within the app.
- Onboarding: Simplify the onboarding process for new employees by providing them with all the necessary resources and training materials through Oneteam.
- E-learning: Create interactive and engaging e-learning courses tailored to the specific needs of your deskless workforce.
- Surveys: Gather valuable feedback from employees through customizable surveys to continuously improve your e-learning programs.
Leading organizations such as H&M, Dominos, Albert Heijn, and Toolstation have already reaped the benefits of using Oneteam to boost employee engagement, reduce turnover, and increase productivity among their deskless workforce. With Oneteam, you can access a high-quality, all-in-one app that is easy to use and specifically designed to meet the needs of deskless employees on a daily basis.
