The advantages of e-learning are obvious. Companies, in particular, benefit from this type of learning. But what about the learners? What advantages does e-learning offer this stakeholder group? And what are the disadvantages? Here you will find arguments that shed more light on both sides.

Content:

• Advantages of E-Learning for Companies
• E-Learning Advantages for Learners
• Disadvantages of E-Learning
• Conclusion

Advantages of E-Learning for Companies

1. E-Learning saves costs

As a company, there is no getting around this pro-e-learning argument: the question of costs. Travel and accommodation costs or catering costs are eliminated with e-learning. And the larger the group of participants, the higher these ancillary costs would have been. While online courses may incur additional fees for a larger number of participants depending on the pricing model, these expenses are manageable compared to face-to-face events.

Once developed, an e-learning course can be used to train an unlimited number of employees. The larger the number of learners, the more e-learning pays off.

2. E-Learning protects the environment

A few years ago, the environmental aspect did not have the social relevance it has today. But the topic of climate change is being discussed intensively today. It is all the better if e-learning can also score points in this regard. This is because the CO2 emissions released by many people traveling to a training event are not insignificant!

3. Stronger employee retention through e-learning

Satisfied employees don't just happen by chance. In times of skilled labor shortages, the strategy of strengthening employee satisfaction through further training is a means of choice to prevent turnover! Self-confidence and improved motivation can be positive results – as well as new perspectives in the job.

In addition, it is easier for companies to retain good employees and train them regularly than to recruit and onboard new ones. With regular, comparatively inexpensive online training courses, employers are on the safe side here.

4. International collaboration thanks to e-learning

Collaboration in large, even international groups is significantly simplified with the help of e-learning. All users can access learning offers worldwide. But communication is also made easy by a professional learning management system with a webinar tool. This is how exchange and feedback work across continents.

5. Making learning progress scalable with certificates and reports

Making learning progress measurable – this also becomes possible through e-learning. With the help of reports, statistics, and issued certificates, it can be determined with a few clicks who has completed courses, passed, and thus further qualified themselves. In the context of face-to-face training, this is often not so easy to determine. Furthermore, a standardized curriculum ensures that the learning content is the same and consistent for all learners. New content can also be integrated without problems, or outdated content can be quickly updated worldwide.

E-Learning Advantages for Learners

6. E-Learning ensures multilingualism

Internationally active companies generally require training that is available in different languages. Most e-learning providers design training content to be multilingual. This applies not only to general topics but also to individually created, company-specific learning content. In this way, all learners can be included – no one is left out, as might be the case at a face-to-face event.

7. Individual learning pace with e-learning

Every person learns at their own speed. There can be many reasons for this. With e-learning, however, all learners have the opportunity to learn at their own pace and take breaks whenever possible or necessary. Learning units can also be repeated as desired. All of this promotes motivation and ultimately has a positive effect on learning success.

8. E-Learning offers independence of time and location

With the help of e-learning offers, learners have the possibility to learn independent of time and location. This means they have access to learning content everywhere and at any time – provided it is a mobile learning platform that can be accessed on all devices and/or is also available as an app. For example, time can also be used effectively on buses and trains.

9. Constant access to important learning content

Looking up important learning content when needed? This also works particularly well with e-learning. Because instead of carrying books around or always having specialized literature ready, you can conveniently access valuable knowledge online and retrieve it permanently – wherever it is currently needed.

10. E-Learning demands and promotes interactivity

Interactivity has been proven to promote retention. The more senses involved in the learning process, the more sustainable the learning result. With interactive learning videos and web-based trainings, the proportion of interactive elements in the learning units is large. Nothing stands in the way of a successful learning process.

11. Different learning types are addressed in e-learning

There are different types of learners – and learners respond differently to the various learning offerings. Digital learning media work with many learning formats that activate almost all senses and can thus generate profound learning experiences that show a lasting effect.

Now you have learned about some of the most important e-learning advantages here. But e-learning has advantages and disadvantages.

Disadvantages of E-Learning

12. Prerequisite: self-discipline

Anyone who wants to acquire new abilities, knowledge, and skills should be fundamentally motivated. Because without intrinsic motivation, learning could become difficult, and one must rely entirely on one's self-discipline. However, if one has a teacher or coach, things look different. Here, the necessary pressure, without which many cannot learn, can be built up from the outside. With some e-learning formats, especially those with longer learning paths, a certain degree of self-discipline is required in this regard.

 13. Personal questions and conversations are often not possible

The following point aims in a similar direction: Personal feedback from a trainer or immediate interim questions to the tutor are often not possible with some e-learning formats. Learners who are very dependent on this type of feedback would therefore be better off in a blended learning format. Here, there is the possibility of clarifying arising questions, albeit with some delay, in a personal conversation with a teacher.

14. Screen work

Yes, it is the case, and unfortunately, there is no way around it – e-learning means learning on a screen. Therefore, what applies to all screen activities also applies to e-learning: learners should take regular breaks in which they go out into the fresh air, move around, and protect their eyes. A little workout surely cannot hurt either.

Conclusion

E-learning pros and cons – at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself which arguments seem most important to you individually. Although there are advantages and disadvantages to e-learning, the advantages clearly outweigh them. The particular challenge is not to completely decouple e-learning from interpersonal contact. A good blended learning concept certainly manages to strike the right balance between human and machine.

keeunit can also support you in the implementation of e-learning in your company.

Find out how good e-learning software can support you in this!