Companies are under pressure in many respects. In many industries, people are talking about an employee's market today; finding personnel is becoming increasingly difficult. Added to this is the eternal sword of Damocles of digitalization. Not losing touch here is an important concern for many businesses.

Digitalization has many facets – E-learning is one of them!

Everyone understands something different by digitalization: process optimization, better networking, less paperwork. An important aspect, however, is also personnel management. Which brings us back to the employee's market. Because for them, further training plays an important role in the choice of employer. 64 percent stated that this topic is important to them and 62 percent would like a good onboarding process with modern technology. (Source: Zeit online)

E-learning platforms and e-learning courses – rising demand

It is no wonder that the demand for innovative training offers such as e-learning platforms is steadily increasing. E-learning software (also called LMS = Learning Management System) is becoming more and more popular. After all, it offers extensive and, in particular, modern possibilities for internal further training and the integration of learning content.

E-learning platform = E-learning platform?

So e-learning is popular and every company that thinks something of itself needs it. All's well that ends well? Of course not! Because otherwise this article would already be over, and on the other hand, that is of course not the hoped-for happy ending. For the fairy tale of introducing an e-learning platform often ends rather with:

And if they haven't died, then they are still looking for a suitable e-learning platform today because they couldn't decide.

Or with:

And if they haven't died, then they are still working with an e-learning platform today that doesn't suit them.

What a frustrating prospect. But a growing market with many e-learning providers simply ensures a wider choice and thus sometimes also confusion for HR managers and IT specialists.

How do you recognize good e-learning platforms/a good e-learning provider?

Before deciding on learning software, you should ask yourself and the e-learning provider a few central questions.

1. Who uses the e-learning software?

This may sound banal, but it is often not quite clear. Because the answer: "My employees, of course," is insufficient. Become aware of what the working worlds of the employees look like. Do they work in the office or are they often on the move? If your employees are frequently in field service, it is, for example, important that the e-learning software is mobile-first. In other words, it can also be operated on a smartphone.

Do everyone speak the same language? In the case of multilingualism in the company, the learning content must be prepared accordingly in different languages. Does the provider do that?

What prior digital knowledge do your learners bring with them, including in the area of e-learning? The more intuitive a program is, the better even non-digital natives will cope with it. A good user experience is also important for experienced users, because learning is more fun in an appealing environment.

2. What is to be mapped?

Should the learner complete training courses and online courses via the e-learning system? Should the e-learning provider provide this content, e.g., in the form of courses? What content is offered by the provider?

3. How flexible is the e-learning platform?

Learning content changes just like your company. Accordingly, what employees need to know also changes. How quickly can this content also be mapped in the Learning Management System? Can my learning content be played out to learners in different languages?

4. What insights do I get?

Of course, you also want to know how well employees are learning, which content they find difficult, what progress they are making. Therefore, ask what analysis options the software offers.

5. How future-proof is the learning platform?

An LMS that is constantly being optimized adapts better to technical innovations. Software services are therefore a more contemporary alternative.

6. Where does the e-learning provider host?

With a view to data protection, it is important that the e-learning platform is hosted in the EU.

7. Is knowledge also imparted playfully?

Gamification is the keyword and plays an important role in the e-learning industry today. Quiz apps make it possible to challenge colleagues and combine learning with fun. Can employees complete interactive online courses, for example in the form of web-based training?

8. Which certificates and awards has the e-learning software received?

It is always worth checking which awards a software provider has received. This can also help in the decision-making process.

9. Is the e-learning platform interactive?

Can the users contribute to the platform themselves? For example, chat with each other or suggest their own content?

10. Who can operate the software?

Of course, the employees should be happy, but so should you! You will be if the admin area of the LMS is intuitive to operate and you can set up content quickly and easily.

11. What support do I have?

If things should get stuck after all, good and timely support from the e-learning provider is important. Can I call them? What is the response time? Good support also includes an introduction to the system.

Would you like to learn more about e-learning and the effective use of digital e-learning platforms? Then download our free eBook now: