Virtual Learning: A Basic Guide to Key Practices

The coronavirus has ruined many lives and livelihoods, and it has completely changed numerous things about our daily lives. One of the most popular trends in the wake of the pandemic is the emergence of digital learning. 

Learning and education first gained a foothold in the digital world back in the early internet days, mostly in the form of eBooks, courses, and seminars.

Today, the digital landscape hosts a lot of eLearning options. Since most people’s movement is severely limited as a result of the pandemic, eLearning is experiencing a renaissance. 

The whole process has changed completely, and there’s a shift in the platforms, software, and practices.

We’re here to help you get a better perspective on what eLearning is, what it includes, and its pros and cons. 

We’ll cover the most important aspects of it below, as well as share some best practices that you can implement.

Virtual Learning in 2020 | What Does It Entail?

Since its inception, the internet has been growing by leaps and bounds. This brings a lot of potential for education and training as there is an influx of platforms each year. 

Platforms that are better suited for different needs pop up all the time, and they colonize the up-and-coming niches that education creates.

With the pandemic in full swing, faculties, schools, and universities have switched learning to the online environment. 

Digital classrooms were a thing of the future yesterday, but today, going to a Zoom class is as common as chatting with your friends on social media.

The main reason why virtual learning is experiencing such a boom is its unrivaled convenience and accessibility. 

Staying at home is mandatory at this point, and most students and employees find it appealing to be able to attend classes or perform duties from the comfort of their home. 

To tie this up, almost everyone has an internet connection and a device that works on the education and training platforms that make up the bulk of virtual learning. 

Virtual Learning Software

An internet connection and a device aren’t the only things you need to access a virtual classroom. Classes, training programs, and education are hosted online via virtual classroom software. 

The software and platforms are going to vary widely based on the type of education. 

Teachers and instructors use different software solutions to deliver eLearning to their learners. Many of them use LMS (Learning Management Software) solutions to centralize their courses, classes, and eLearning efforts. 

There are two main types of software used in eLearning. The software that’s used for creating eLearning classes and courses and software that’s used to distribute it to your students or employees. 

One of the most popular SaaS eLearning providers is ProProfs, which offers a comprehensive LMS, knowledge base, and quizzes.

Platforms such as ProProfs provide all the necessary solutions that education specialists in training or academic professions can use.

Benefits of eLearning

There are a lot of benefits of eLearning. Not only is it convenient, it’s also a new-age method of educating and training students or employees with maximum efficiency. 

When it comes to learning, the better the content quality, the more efficient the whole process becomes.

Through eLearning, teachers and instructors can teach their subjects quickly, efficiently, and sustainably. 

Another very appealing aspect of eLearning is that it provides the necessary data and automation to make learning seamless. 

Automatic grading, data collection, and visualization tools make up the bulk of benefits that eLearning offers to educators.

Drawbacks of Virtual Learning

There are little to no drawbacks to eLearning. One of the things that come to mind is that while many people have a stable internet connection, this doesn’t include every person on earth. 

The applicability of eLearning is only as prominent as the internet connection for clients, which means that it’s not available worldwide.

The second drawback of eLearning comes in the form of social distancing. Studies have shown that eLearning might disconnect people from their colleagues and peers, which is not ideal, especially if the tasks or projects require them to collaborate. 

Lastly, a lot of eLearning platforms rely on self-directed learning. While this flexibility is one of the benefits of eLearning, it’s a significant drawback to those who can’t seem to focus on their education.

eLearning Industry Best Practices

Elearning can be challenging at times. To simplify the process, let’s establish some ground rules in the form of industry best practices. 

Content Creation 

Quality content is what drives the world of eLearning. Making high-quality content is essential if you want your eLearning endeavor to be fruitful, and that means doing everything in your power to make it digestible, understandable, and useful. Add engaging elements such as quizzes, flashcards, and gamification to ensure higher completion rates.

Interaction

Elearning removes the social aspect from the world of education and training, and interactivity makes up for it. Interactivity in virtual learning is crucial to trainee retention and successful learning. Some of the top LMS tools support online forums to facilitate discussion and collaboration. So, you can certainly leverage them for better learning experiences.

Data Analysis

Unlike traditional learning, eLearning provides massive amounts of data. This data provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of learners, learning challenges, knowledge gaps, and so on. You can use this information to make data-driven decisions and optimize eLearning.

Process Automation

Automating repetitive tasks in eLearning such as deadline reminders, announcements, and enrollment can make your job a lot easier. When the eLearning tools you use take care of these routine admin tasks, you have enough time on your hands that you can allocate to more important tasks.

Boost Your Virtual Learning For Success!

The world of eLearning might have been around for a while, but it’s just now reaching brand new heights. Corporate training and general education have experienced a digital revolution that promises to make them simpler, more efficient, and faster.

In the wake of the global pandemic, alternative education and training methods such as eLearning are becoming the cornerstone of continuous learning & development. Take advantage of them now.