With the rapidly advancing digitalization, e-learning has developed into the most successful form of knowledge transfer over the past few years. As a result, many different e-learning methods have emerged, enabling you to implement the digitized form of learning sustainably and profitably for your company.
Below, we would like to show you the most important training forms and types within which you can efficiently apply the various e-learning methods.
APPLYING E-LEARNING METHODS IN VARIOUS TRAINING FORMATS
To ensure that the various e-learning methods achieve optimal success and maximum efficiency, it is necessary to clarify which training format they should be applied in. Therefore, below you will first see which training forms and types play an important role in E-LEARNING FOR COMPANIES.
These four types of training have proven particularly effective when using e-learning:
- Blended Learning
- Mobile Learning
- Serious Games
- User-Generated Content
But what exactly do these entail, and how are these forms best utilized?
BLENDED LEARNING
This training format combines the advantages of online learning with the success factors of in-person training. Ideally, during the planning of a specific training topic, it is determined which areas are best taught in person and which online. Special attention should be paid to the content to be conveyed: soft skills, for example, are most effectively taught in an in-person training.
The associated knowledge of certain facts can also be covered beforehand and/or afterwards through one or more e-learning modules. Your employees will thus be trained most sustainably and can benefit from all the advantages of using digital media, as well as from DIGITAL EMPLOYEE TRAINING. The ideal combination of in-person training and e-learning therefore enables the highest possible efficiency.
MOBILE LEARNING
Theoretically, almost any of the various e-learning methods can be displayed on a mobile device. Ultimately, mobile learning is mainly about users being able to access digital training content on a smartphone, tablet, or similar device. However, caution is advised here, as simply mirroring various content on a mobile device is not always sensible. Web-based trainings (WBTs) – if intended for mobile learning – should always be adapted to the mobile view beforehand. What does that mean? It’s actually quite simple: a smartphone, for example, always has a much smaller screen than a laptop. Accordingly, the font size must first be set so that texts can be read easily there. In general, text passages for mobile content should always be as short as possible and limited to the essentials. But that’s not all: the types of quizzes used and other tasks must also be designed to be easily manageable on a smartphone or tablet.
Simply displaying a WBT in a smaller format to present training content on a smartphone is not effective and can even lead to user frustration (if they cannot read the texts well or cannot perform the intended tasks due to usability issues)!
SERIOUS GAMES
This type of e-learning is primarily characterized by GAMIFICATION. The training content is conveyed like a “computer game” with its own story. The user then solves various tasks in which they apply their newly acquired knowledge to reach the next level and/or achieve a specific goal. This demonstrably creates a particularly strong incentive, as ambition is awakened, and – depending on the company – competitions can even be organized among employees or teams, who, for example, are awarded a prize at the end of a certain period.
GAMIFICATION: MOTIVATION THROUGH PLAYFUL ELEMENTS
Gamification, the integration of playful elements into learning processes, is an e-learning method that has gained significant popularity in recent years. The use of points, badges, leaderboards, and rewards in training can significantly boost learners’ motivation. By challenging employees in a playful way, they not only increase their willingness to learn but also their engagement and performance. Gamification is particularly well-suited for topics that are otherwise considered dry or difficult to access, as it appeals to learners on an emotional level and thus improves learning success.
A major advantage of gamification is that it can be applied at various levels: from simple quizzes and interactive tasks to complex learning games that guide employees through a virtual learning world. Furthermore, gamification also promotes collaboration and competition among employees, which can strengthen team spirit and lead to better results.
For gamification to be successful, companies should ensure that the playful elements are meaningfully integrated into the learning process and genuinely contribute to achieving the learning objectives. It is not just about making learning more entertaining, but about sustainably improving motivation and learning outcomes.
USER-GENERATED CONTENT
In this training format, employees themselves provide the e-learning content for other users. This content can include anything from experiences on a specific topic to tips and best practices. For example, a retail employee could record a video while unboxing a new product. They would show the product and perhaps give tips on handling and sales arguments. Similarly, a highly experienced sales employee could summarize their best tips for sales conversations in a video and make it available to their colleagues.
Through this content creation process, E-LEARNING is particularly authentic for other employees, as the content is conveyed at eye level and directly from everyday professional life.
However, this training format has a significant disadvantage: to avoid spreading unwanted misinformation in this way, the content should be reviewed by a defined authority before being passed on to employees.
SUCCESSFUL E-LEARNING METHODS FOR EVERY TRAINING FORMAT
Above, we have presented four of the training forms and types. But which e-learning methods are applied within these named forms of learning?
The most important and currently most widely used methods are the following:
- WBT (Web-based Training)
- Social Learning
- Videos
- Podcasts, Microlearning
- Webinars
- VR / AR
WEB-BASED TRAINING – THE MOST COMMON E-LEARNING METHOD
This method enables particularly efficient and flexible learning and is increasingly being used as the epitome of e-learning. A WBT usually consists of various parts (e.g., text, quizzes, video, audio, etc.) and thus introduces the user to a specific topic in several individual components. It is a multimedia learning program. The advantage is that the user can directly apply and test their acquired knowledge to ensure the retention of information. For the implementation of a WBT, only internet access is required, making the learning content accessible from anywhere and to all employees.
SOCIAL LEARNING: HARNESSING THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
Social learning is an e-learning method that prioritizes exchange and collaboration among learners. In an increasingly networked work environment, learning from and with others is becoming ever more important. Through the use of social media, forums, chats, and collaborative platforms, employees can learn from each other, support one another, and develop solutions together.
The advantage of social learning lies in its dynamic and interactive nature. Employees can share their experiences, ask questions, and work together on projects, which enriches and deepens the learning process. Furthermore, social learning fosters a sense of belonging and can contribute to establishing a strong learning culture within the company.
To successfully implement social learning, companies should provide platforms and tools that facilitate exchange and collaboration. It is important to create an open and supportive learning environment where employees feel encouraged to actively participate in the learning process. At the same time, it must be ensured that the exchange is constructive so that the learning objectives can also be achieved.
VIDEO AS AN E-LEARNING METHOD FOR RAPID INFORMATION TRANSFER
VIDEO LEARNING conveys training content using audio and visuals. This variant is best suited, for example, to draw users’ attention to a specific topic, provide an overview, or show everyday situations. However, special attention should be paid to the length of the video: ideally, such a training video should only last a few minutes to account for attention spans. If the content is longer, it is best to provide several short videos that are thematically structured.
And quality also plays an important role: because if the quality is poor (e.g., difficult-to-understand audio, unsuitable images, boring presentation, etc.), the users’ motivation to concentrate on the content is naturally low.
However, this very important e-learning method is generally used very frequently, as most people absorb content very well in this way and can usually concentrate well on what is shown. This method also offers a high degree of flexibility as well as location- and time-independent knowledge acquisition.
PODCASTS – AUDITORY E-LEARNING METHODS
Last but not least, podcasts should be mentioned as an e-learning method. Generally, podcasts are currently very trendy and also represent an efficient and exciting way of knowledge transfer. In a podcast, content is conveyed auditorily. As with videos, quality and duration must also be considered here to offer the highest possible efficiency. A well-produced podcast offers great opportunities to gain insights into a wide variety of content. Depending on the current situation, it may offer users a welcome change to acquire knowledge in this way. As with other e-learning methods, users are offered high flexibility and the opportunity to develop themselves from anywhere.
MICROLEARNING – THE SMALLEST AMONG E-LEARNING METHODS
You have already gathered from the previous sections that e-learning can only be successful if it is divided into “digestible chunks.” Microlearning accordingly means that knowledge transfer occurs in small information blocks. This means: an efficient “training package” consists – depending on its scope – of an in-person training or a webinar, as well as the associated e-learning modules. The latter, in turn, include the optimal division of content into texts, quizzes, videos, etc. These “individual components” then correspond to microlearning, as ideally, after each section (i.e., each text, quiz, video, …), a break can be taken. The user can then resume at precisely this point at any time and, if necessary, specifically repeat one or another part.
Especially with particularly complex content, this method significantly facilitates e-learning, as knowledge is processed by the employee in small increments and thus retained more sustainably.
WEBINAR – THE COMBO PACKAGE AMONG E-LEARNING METHODS
Webinars are now used in many companies and have proven to be very efficient and sustainable. No wonder: a webinar offers almost all the advantages of in-person training in the form of online instruction. This very important e-learning method is, therefore, essentially the online variant of in-person training. To enable users to participate in training regardless of location, these are conducted online via conference. Among the advantages of this method is the saved travel expenses for your employees and thus the sustainable aspect, while participants can still interact live.
VR/AR – FUTURISTIC E-LEARNING METHOD
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) resonate with current times. Although their production and implementation involve increased technical effort, they can, depending on the application area, also offer advantages that cannot be achieved with any other e-learning method. Users immerse themselves in their own world and can experience situations and/or simulations that are not possible with other e-learning methods. VR and AR are extremely exciting and interactive, and can take your training to a new level.
THE RIGHT E-LEARNING METHODS FOR EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT
Looking at the individual e-learning methods and types, it quickly becomes clear that – with the right interplay and application – all training content can be conveyed sustainably. We are the experts in successful knowledge transfer and are happy to help you make YOUR training area as efficient as possible.
CONTACT us simply, and together we will find the ideal methods to specifically promote your employees and make your company even more successful!