The Potential of eLearning

eLearning is a cost-effective way to upskill employees and improve staff retention. It suits remote and hybrid working, and offers flexibility for learners to progress at their own pace and fit their learning around their work schedules. It’s also a great way to augment instructor-led training and refresh rusty skills. 

Technology developments, such as artificial Intelligence, offer new possibilities such as: gamification to increase learner engagement; adaptability to different learning styles; and microlearning. There is also the promise of virtual and augmented reality in the future to add further learning dimensions. However, shiny new eLearning products can sometimes ‘wow’ the user with high specification graphics and animations… but are they all style and no substance?  

The real test of eLearning is not the ‘bells and whistles’… it is whether it complements the objectives and processes of learning and accommodates different learning styles.  

People Learn in Different Ways 

It has long been recognised that people learn in diverse ways. The articulation of these distinctive styles is largely attributed to David Kolb (1984), who defined four learning styles: 

• The accommodating learning style is 'hands-on', employing a practical, experiential approach.  
• Learners with a diverging learning style prefer to watch rather than do. They gather information and use imagination to solve problems.  
• People with a converging learning style prefer technical tasks and practical problems.  
• Finally, the assimilating learning preference is for a concise, logical approach. These people require clear explanations, rather than practical opportunities.  

Evidence suggests that most people have a clear preference for one learning style and switching between styles may not come easily to them. Those who prefer the 'assimilating' learning style will not be comfortable if they are thrown into a learning situation without notes and guidance. And those with an 'accommodating' learning style will become frustrated if they are forced to read lots of instructions and listen to presentations. 

Allowing for different learning styles has long been a challenge for instructor-led training, requiring experience and expertise to navigate diverse needs. The availability of eLearning, either as the primary or supplementary learning approach, allows learners to participate in different ways and opens up different opportunities for engagement in the learning process.  

The Challenge: Engaging Participants with Different Learning Styles 

The challenge for the designers of eLearning is to create products that accommodate different learning styles and recognise how learning will be assessed.

Learners who want to just 'get stuck in' can use the product to test themselves, using the eLearning product’s comprehensive question set to identify where they need to extend their knowledge and understanding.

Learners who want a more reflective approach can work progressively through the course material at their own speed, with the opportunity to test themselves after every subject heading in the module, or to delay that test until the end of the module.

Learners who want to apply the content to contexts where they can make sense of their new knowledge – and revisit the guidance if necessary – can make their own time and opportunities to do this. 

Why Choose eLearning? 

eLearning offers learners many benefits, here are just a few… 

• Augments instructor-led learning 
• Is cost-effective for employers  
• Suits different learning styles 
• Allows microlearning and self-paced learning 
• Is completely flexible – log in and learn wherever and whenever it suits you 
• Lowers environmental impact of travel and course materials 
• Can be used to train for professional qualifications or to fill skills gaps 
• Allows apprentices to target their learning to coincide with real-life application of new skills 

• Removes the stress of travel or meeting a training day start-time 
• Has complete geographical reach 
• Builds confidence and encourages lifelong learning 
• Can be updated quickly to keep pace with change 

"I highly recommend AssistKD’s BCS Business Analysis eLearning programme. The content of the eLearning courses really is excellent, and I could not have felt more prepared when I took each of my 4 exams.  To add to that, the friendly and helpful eLearning team were always quick to respond to any requests or questions. I’ve very much enjoyed completing the courses and I’ll be looking at what else I can study with AssistKD in the future!" - Mickila Travis 

Interested in eLearning? Explore AssistKD's growing portfolio of eLearning courses.