What format for your e-learning training?

Tip #1: clarify the subject and objectives of your e-learning program

To design a digital learning course, you must have a clear vision of the subject matter and your concrete objectives. The type of program and its format will depend directly on it. New regulations affect your company’s activity and concern all employees? A virtual classroom format or blended learning could be adapted. You need tailor-made courses to help employees improve their skills, at their own pace, on a new technology? Adaptive Learning, with progressive levels of learning, is a good solution. You want training that allows your employees to attest new skills? The integration of evaluation modules should be considered.

Tip #2: Analyze the profile and practices of future learners

The technique should be used for training, not as a barrier. This is why it is essential to profile the learners, in order to meet their expectations and above all to adapt to their “digital maturity”. Thus, if the virtual class can theoretically be followed everywhere. It must still correspond to a real use by the user. “The format must be adapted to the digital practices of learners,” confirms Vincent Gaillard, ITycom project manager. “Even though the smartphone is so widespread among the population today, it makes it easy to offer accessible and attractive training courses to as many people as possible.”

Tip #3: make your e-learning training accessible

In many companies, it is a daily challenge: how to address both nomadic and sedentary populations. Or teams working in workshops without computers? It is therefore imperative to think about how your Digital Learning training will be “consumed”. At what time of day, on what support? When will learners be most available? Will they have a tool (computer, tablet, smartphone) to access the modules? Again, the answer to his questions will help determine the format of your e-learning program

Tip #4: Integrate deployment constraints

One of the major strengths of digital learning is its simplicity of deployment, at many remote sites, including internationally. The necessary technical infrastructure is also needed. In addition, if your company has a secure LMS or intranet, everything will be easier. If not, an alternative solution should be considered, such as using a hardware (USB stick, for example) to disseminate the training in the different sites of the company.

The constraints are not only material. Sometimes the customer comes with a specific idea but unfortunately not necessarily relevant. Either because it is inappropriate to the context or difficult to achieve in its environment. By talking to him, we can better discern the needs expressed from the real needs. This avoids misunderstanding or being influenced by a fashion effect. Sometimes you have to compromise. For example, make him give up a Serious Game, inappropriate, but add some touches of Gamification in the proposed training» details Vincent Gaillard.

Tip #5: Ask yourself about the maturity of the company

Digital transformation impacts all companies. When the company has already begun this transformation, employees are often more comfortable with training based on new technologies, such as social learning for example... Thus, in the opposite case, it is important to accompany the deployment of e-learning training with a lot of internal pedagogy.

“Getting to know the company and its culture, its way of working, sheds light on its digital maturity,” says Vincent Gaillard. That’s why it is essential for us, as designers, to immerse ourselves in the business. This is why the company is closely involved in the design of its e-learning training. Together we will define its problems, identify the profile of learners and their working conditions, identify the tools available to them... And this, without a priori. For example, some seniors are more comfortable with digital tools than some millennials!”

Virtual Classroom, Social Learning, Blended Learning, even Virtual Reality... Digital Learning offers a wide range of formats and technologies, each with its own unique features and advantages. Beyond the effects of fashion, the format of your e-learning training should never be an end in itself. But a way to better achieve your goals. So, before thinking about the shape of your digital training device, start by defining its objectives, targets and content. 5 tips to help you.