Can we possibly know everything about off the shelf eLearning courses? Perhaps not. However, in our conversation with clients and our experience of creating our own library of off the shelf eLearning course we have gathered some interesting insights.
We look forward to sharing them through this article.
Before we jump into simplifying eLearning course it is important to understand what eLearning courses are.
What is eLearning?
Often confused with video learning, eLearning has its unique features and is remarkably different from video learning.
eLearning enables interactive self- paced learning that promotes high engagement among learners. Infact eLearning can have embedded video modules as a part of its curriculum.
eLearning videos have evolved massively in the last few years. It is now easily available in two forms the off the shelf courses and the customized courses.
Considering in this article we are focusing on off the shelf courses only, let us understand when or why would you need it?
Who would need off the shelf eLearning courses and what should you watch out for?
Off the shelf courses in simple words are readymade courses. Off the shelf eLearning courses is usually available in a vast range of topics. It can be available for soft skills as well as technical skills
eLearning service providers or LMS service providers usually create these courses based on some of the skills which they have identified are common across industries.
These skills are not dependent on any profile or experience of an individual and even if it does, it comes a large cohort within an organization
However, as a learning and development expert in your organization it is important for you to identify when should you subscribe or buy off the shelf courses.
Here are some of the circumstances when you can opt for off the shelf courses.
Workforce on the move
Looking at driving something for the workforce whose is constantly working at the client site or at field.
It is difficult to find them at their workstation. They are constantly hopping from one meeting to the other or travelling from one place to the other for work. Off the shelf eLearning courses work very well particularly for this group of people.
If you are able to identify the courses that would collectively benefit the group you are already off to a great start. For example, you want to target your Salesforce include courses like negotiation skills or presentation skills.
Especially if you are looking at reinforcing some of the key points related to a common topic or skill that they need to use daily, off the shelf courses are great.
Learner orientation
Off the shelf courses are great from a learner orientation perspective. If you are looking at building interest of the learner towards a certain topic or even test their competency, off the shelf eLearning courses are great.
While off the eLearning courses are interactive do check with your learning partners if the course design has assessments that tests the competency of the learner for that skill or in that area.
You can also reach out to service or content providers with such requirement and some will happily integrate that as a part of their off the shelf course library
Consistency in learning content
Off the shelf eLearning courses enables you to communicate in the same language across your organization. Infact it help you cater to a very large group of audience which can be spread beyond boundaries too.
Off the shelf courses are a great way to make learning accessible to all within a very short time span. It is sure to bring in some momentum among the learners. These are courses which will barely have any cultural context so it is usually well received by the learners.
Look out for content service providers who have experience in creating content for global brands.
Their content has a neutral appeal and is relatable to a large group of audience
Seeing is believing
Off the shelf learning courses are a great way to tell your employees that you are serious about learning.
It is one thing to make learning fun and interesting but it is also important to be purposeful while facilitating learning within your organization
Do fill your LMS with courses that will attract your learners and where they would find value.
So, while you may be buying courses in bulk, be sure to run it through your internal stakeholders so that you have their buy in. At a later stage these are the people who will help you drive learning in your organization.
Check the course outline, course objectives and scenarios.
What you must avoid?
- Don’t use it just to fill your LMS
- Don’t use it because it is coming at a lucrative amount
- Don’t use it to meet the learning hours of your employees
- Do not just focus on the volume
To gain more perspective about eLearning and off the shelf eLearning courses, you could also ready our weekly blogs.
