E-learning has effectively blended institutional learning. While the platforms have a gush of courses, selecting the right fit can be challenging, says GAGAN ARORA
The COVID-19 pandemic is a paradigm of humans learning to adapt new ways of life and change nature of day to day operations. The way online space has taken over academic and non-academic learning, business operations, exchange of information, there is no going back for most.
E-learning has effectively blended institutional learning as well as professional upskilling, while maintaining a nuanced approach for all. The openness of individuals and corporates to understand and analyse the impact of edtech has broaden the scope for the industry. While the platforms have a gush of courses, selecting the right fit can be challenging.
With the help of this checklist, you will be able to set yourself on the path of a successful online learning experience.
Goal setting
Assess and opt for an online course that elevates your growth trajectory. Finding a course that meets all expectations can be a tedious process, hence it is important to filter your criteria. It is important that individuals should be able to determine the reason for choosing a particular course — to become employable, to crack a competitive exam or just a new hobby. This will ensure that the time and amount spent is adequately used.
Whereas, corporates and entrepreneurs should evaluate who needs the course and why, for example, a marketing team might need a training for digital marketing while leadership might need resilience training.
Think about why do you need a certain course and how will it strike your growth ambit in the short or long run.
Course credibility
Accreditation is like a protective layer for your online course and can help you mark a difference between good and brilliant coaches and platform. Identify your skill gap and look for a skill set that will enhance your capability and augment your operations.
Picking up non-academical course help in adding an edge to overall persona, hence select a platform that offer certified course of courses by certified coaches. The course must offer valuable course material, interactive classes and a more trusted experience with personalised attention.
Experts and methodology
While browsing the e-learning learning platform, keep an eye on course variety and its pedagogy. It is ideal to enroll into non-traditional courses like Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning alongside leadership and soft skills. While researching, look for platforms that offer live courses with expert coaches instead of just pre-recorded lectures. Live courses amplify learning and ensures effective engagement between the learner and the coach.
Coaches are the backbone of any e-learning platform, therefore seek for coaches who are experts in the domain and whose insight is not only academic but offer comprehensive insight.
Flexibility & Affordability
The online platforms foster independent learning. Online platform should be able to design a course journey for the learner. Considering factors like user interface, course accessibility post completion, course availability in low internet bandwidth, etc. are imperative as it defines your learning experience. To ensure effective learning for corporates, platform should be able to customize the course in accordance to the organisation.
The emergence of multiple industry players has enabled learners to identify and distinguish platforms in accordance with quality and price. Learners should calculate the ROI by determining the type of course.
For example, due to increased demand, digital marketing courses have suddenly surged prices, however, explore platforms that offer the same course at competitive prices. Very often there are hidden costs embedded into the format of a course, hence one must read reviews and do a diligent research before investing.
Often online learning platforms overpass the approximately 15 per cent of the billion population in the world, this population is specially-abled who need dedicated coaches and platforms for better future. Talented individuals with certain disability are masters of multiple traditional and non-traditional subjects. Find platforms that carter to varied audience to experience holistic learning. An excellent e-learning course is an eminent opportunity to be in control of your destiny.
The writer is CEO & Strategic Growth Leader, Vertex Global Services