What are the benefits of e-learning?

E-learning is growing rapidly, but that is certainly not just because of the coronavirus pandemic. The benefits associated with online teaching had already convinced more and more people to make the switch. Since 2000, e-learning has increased by 900%. Of course, we didn't use digital tools back then the way we do now.

But look at these statistics. Between 2010 and 2015, the e-learning market grew by more than 200%. It was estimated that e-learning would grow by another 200% between 2015 and 2025, to 325 billion. And this will only continue to grow, as the benefits of e-learning become increasingly important.

To stay flexible and up to date, you should consider whether e-learning is right for your company. There are plenty of reasons why companies choose e-learning. First of all, online learning saves a huge amount of time. For both the trainer and the student.

E-learning and its 6 fantastic benefits

Benefit 1: E-learning saves time for the trainer

When you create a good online training course, you can use it as often as you like. Once you have a solid foundation, you can reuse it time and time again, perhaps with minor adjustments. This saves you a tremendous amount of time compared to classroom teaching, where you have to explain the same material to new students over and over again.

You also encourage students to help each other with an online learning environment. For example, if they have questions, they can use the chat function in Pluvo. When they help each other, you don't have to ;-).

Furthermore, you save time by testing online. Tests are automatically graded by the e-learning system, and your student receives the results automatically. This gives you more time for the things you really care about.

Also read: How to choose the right e-learning software

Benefit 2: E-learning saves time for the student

E-learning ensures that your student absorbs course material much faster. Research by Brandon Hall indicates that e-learning allows an average person to spend 40 to 60% less time absorbing material compared to traditional training. This allows them to learn 5 times faster (IBM Epic Performance Improvement, 2011). Students also memorize your material much better, because with e-learning they retain 25 to 50% more than with offline learning.

Furthermore, every student can follow a personalized learning path. This means that the student's answers and scores determine the further progress of the training. Does someone not understand something? Then you can automatically offer your participant extra material. If your student finds the material too easy, you can provide them with more in-depth content. This way, everyone can train at their own level and pace. It also automatically focuses on the areas that pose the greatest challenge. This makes e-learning more efficient than the offline version.

Finally, travel time also plays a role. You won't have any at all, or it will be significantly reduced when you implement blended learning.

Read more about personalized learning paths for education and trainers here!

Want to know everything about e-learning? Download the free e-book 'E-learning Essentials!'

Benefit 3: Online training is better for the environment

This benefit of e-learning is something we have experienced ourselves recently, given the pandemic. How pointless is it really to jump in the car for the slightest reason just to meet someone in person for an hour? We have come to realize that we should make more use of the wonderful technology we have at our disposal today.

Measures to protect the environment are necessary and are therefore increasingly on the political agenda. You can also do your part. In addition to standard measures like eating less meat and taking the train more often, you can also consider delivering (part of) your training online.

Prefer keeping part of it offline? Take a look at blended learning!

According to the Open University Design Innovation Group (DIG), e-learning results in 90% energy savings and 90% fewer CO2 emissions. A major difference compared to conducting offline training sessions.

First of all, neither you nor your trainees need to travel, which has a significant impact. Furthermore, you don't need a physical training location, which reduces electricity consumption. You also use less paper, if any. Even if you opt for blended training, you consume significantly less energy and produce fewer CO2 emissions. Something to consider if your company wants to take more social responsibility.

Benefit 4: E-learning is good for your wallet

Switching to e-learning or blended learning is also highly beneficial for the financial health of your company. It might seem like you're spending time and money creating an online course at the start, but it always pays off in the end. It is an investment in the future that, in our view, is well worth it.

IBM, for example, saved 200 million by switching to e-learning. Research by Ambient Insight even states that 42% of companies have increased their revenue through the use of e-learning.

By using e-learning, you spend less money on trainers and training venues, among other things. So, you can actually make money by implementing e-learning!

Benefit 5: Anytime & anywhere

To teach people something, you don't necessarily have to see each other in person. A great deal of knowledge can be transferred perfectly well online. This also means you are much more flexible when it comes to sharing information.

E-learning courses are available anytime and anywhere. All you need is a computer, tablet, or phone and an internet connection. While you are often tied to specific class hours with traditional lessons, you can take an e-learning course whenever you want. Whether it's in the middle of the night or your trainees are in different time zones, e-learning is always an option.

Another advantage of e-learning is that you can review the information. In a physical training session, you hear the information once and have to take diligent notes, and even then, you might miss important details. You can take an online course as many times as you like, which helps information stick much better. Ideal, right?

Benefit 6: Online training is much more fun

Last but not least: (a combination of offline and) online training is often much more fun!

It gives you the opportunity to work with different types of content. You can enrich your training with videos, images, and news articles. This provides variety, which helps your trainees stay better engaged with the (online) lesson.

You can use quizzes to test your trainees' knowledge along the way. This immediately makes your e-learning much more interactive, which ensures that trainees retain knowledge much better.

A potential disadvantage of e-learning is that there is a risk of trainees feeling isolated. Fortunately, there are plenty of solutions for this! You can create a real community within your e-learning. Encourage your trainees to chat with each other when they don't understand something. This way, even if they don't see each other, your trainees will feel more connected. They will be more motivated to finish your course and more likely to give it a good rating!

Side note: at Pluvo, we also believe that personal, offline contact is indispensable. That is why, in our view, blended training is the best approach. Online where possible, and offline where necessary.

But how do you create a good e-learning course? You can read about that here!

Conclusion: benefits of e-learning

It is surely clear to you now what the useful effects of e-learning are, and why your organization should start using it.

Of course, you don't have to throw all your offline training sessions overboard right away. You can also opt for blended learning, which combines offline and online methods. Personal contact fosters greater connection and loyalty.

With Pluvo, you can do both. And the best part is: you can get started for free!