As a portal or webspace, online learning platforms help enterprises and educational institutions leverage online learning or eLearning. They enable learners to acquire knowledge by accessing educational content and resources at their own pace. Also, they create opportunities for learners to collaborate with peers and interact with instructors in a virtual learning environment.
At the same time, instructors can use the digital learning platform to take live classes, share prerecorded lessons, and deliver eLearning materials. While implementing eLearning, an organization has the option to choose from different types of eLearning platforms. Also, decision-makers must consider several factors to choose the best online learning platform.
What are the Popular Types of Online Learning Platforms?
Learning Management System (LMS)
A learning management system (LMS) helps organizations run multiple online courses or training programs in a cost-efficient way. The built-in features and tools provided by the web-based software simplify the creation, delivery, monitoring, and reporting of multiple digital learning programs. Learners can acquire knowledge by accessing the LMS on computers or mobile devices.
Hence, it becomes easier for organizations to support self-paced learning. New-age LMS systems facilitate collaboration and interaction in a digital learning environment by providing features like discussion forums, query corners, leaderboards, and chat. At the same time, they increase online course completion rates by engaging learners by offering gamification features like badges, virtual coins, and scorecards.
Learning Destination Site (LDS)
Learning destination sites (LDSs) allow learners to choose from a wide range of online courses. These online learning platforms create opportunities for educational institutions and educators to put various courses on the Internet. At the same time, this eLearning tool helps students to access online courses and digital content provided by many educators.
LDSs are mostly popular with working professionals. Working professionals access these online learning platforms to acquire and hone skills at their own pace. Also, they have the option to access eLearning content in multiple formats. Many enterprises these days leverage LDSs to reskill and upskill employees without managing learning and development (L&D) initiatives internally.
Learning Experience Platform (LXP)
Learning experience platforms (LXPs) simplify online education and corporate training by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. Intelligence technologies make the online learning platform effective in sharing curated content with learners. At the same time, the software enables organizations to set up personalized learning portals without creating eLearning content.
The personalized portal understands the eLearning needs and preferences of individual learners. Also, it meets their needs and expectations by sharing relevant content curated from reliable online sources. Leading LXPs boost learner engagement and learning engagement by borrowing features from popular social networks and retail sites. Many enterprises these days opt for LXPs to reskill and upskill employees by supporting self-directed learning.
How to Choose the Best Online Learning Platforms?
Each type of online learning platform drives eLearning in a specific way. While implementing eLearning, decision-makers must focus on choosing the right type of online learning platform. At the same time, they must consider an array of factors to ensure that the platform meets eLearning needs in the short and long runs.
Available Courses/Training Programs
Each online learning program offers a variety of courses/training programs. However, decision-makers must check the courses offered by the platform meet their eLearning needs and goals. For instance, they should evaluate the courses provided by the platform according to the skills employees need to acquire and improve.
User Experiences
Decision-makers must allow learners to access the online learning platform using their preferred devices. Hence, they need to ensure that employees can access the web-based portal seamlessly using desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. At the same time, they must opt for a platform that employees can access and use without requiring any training or support.
Content Format
Leading online learning platforms enable students to acquire knowledge by watching prerecorded lessons and video content. However, many learners prefer reading eBooks or listening to podcasts to watching online videos. That is why; decision-makers should prioritize platforms that enable learners to access content in several formats – eBooks, videos, audio, quizzes, and simulations.
Instructor Expertise
Online learning platforms create opportunities for educators and instructors to generate revenue by uploading courses and content. The quality of online learning content varies according to the experience and expertise of individual instructors. Decision-makers must use the expertise and reputation of instructors as one of the primary criteria to choose the perfect online learning platform.
Learning Delivery Mode
Digital learning platforms deliver eLearning in various ways. Some platforms support self-paced learning by enabling seamless access to eLearning content, while others enable learners to attend live classes and interact with instructors. Decision-makers must boost eLearning initiatives by opting for a platform that blends self-paced and instructor-led learning models.
Learner Engagement
Over 85% of learners do not complete online courses due to various reasons. Decision-makers must focus on choosing a platform that boosts online course completion rates by supporting collaborative and gamified learning. They need to ensure that the platform facilitates collaboration by providing features like discussion forums, query corners, and leaderboards. At the same time, the platform must boost learning engagement using popular gamification techniques like badges and virtual coins.
Learner Progress Monitoring
While comparing online learning platforms, decision-makers must focus on monitoring learner progress based on real-time data. Leading platforms simplify progress monitoring by featuring dashboards. Decision-makers must check if the dashboard provides real-time information about courses and learners in seconds. Also, they need to ensure that the dashboard enables them to track KPIs by generating and scheduling custom reports.
Supportive Community
An educational community helps learners expand and update their knowledge through discussions. For instance, working professionals can join the community to monitor emerging industry and tech trends based on information and insights shared by other members. Hence, decision-makers must choose an online learning platform that creates opportunities for learners to join active educational communities.
Costs
Most online learning platforms these days support multiple pricing models and options. However, they often require learners to pay for online courses or training programs individually. Hence, it becomes essential for decision-makers to consider the total eLearning costs. They should prioritize platforms according to their eLearning budgets while leveraging discounts and special offers.
Conclusion
An enterprise or educational institution has the option to choose from different types of online learning platforms. Decision-makers must differentiate between these digital platforms according to their eLearning needs and goals. Also, they must consider a slew of factors to choose an online learning platform that meets current and emerging eLearning needs.
