Which works best: E-learning on a computer or traditional learning with an instructor at the front of the classroom? Look it up yourself and you’ll see that each method has its strengths.

In a workplace environment with motivated learners, where time and cost are essential considerations, there is widespread agreement that E-learning is the best way to educate a larger number of learners in a more consistent manner and at a greater savings than in a classroom with an instructor.

According to Executive Leadership Training in Brookfield, WI, E-learning offers hands-down training advantages for 75% or more of the information that organizations need to convey to employees. To be fair and balanced, E-learning is not always the best approach, but it is the best approach most of the time.

E-learning is especially suited for motivated learners and offers distinct advantages such as convenience, standardized delivery, 24/7/365 self-paced learning and a variety of content, e.g., text, graphics and video.

Here’s a quick review of each of these factors for consideration.

1: E-learning Empowers Motivated Learners

The Internet is the educational cruise ship for the intellectually curious. It can take anyone anywhere at any time to learn about almost anything.

Motivated learners, and especially managers and supervisors, become even more empowered when they find the training meaningful, when they feel competent to put the training into use quickly and when they believe that their training will have an impact on day-to-day and long-term productivity and their own professional success.

A 2008 Thomas College study titled The Effectiveness of Online Learning concluded that “working professionals studying online significantly outperformed full-time graduate and undergraduate students in traditional classrooms” because:

• The online learning requirements were directly related to, and in the context of, the work experience of the professionals, and
• The professional online students had a vested interest in learning this new material.

2: Convenience

How convenient? Boot up the Internet and class is in session. How can training be any simpler than that? No need to coordinate schedules for a day-long gathering across town or even a 2 p.m. meeting down the hall. Anyone can take an online course anywhere and at any time.



3: Standardized Delivery

Even the best classroom instructors can forget or misstate information, but training created online is the same information every time a user clicks the mouse.

Also, in a classroom setting, learners might hear the proper information and accurate messages from the instructor, but misinterpret it. But with online training, learners can essentially “rewind” and review the parts they are uncertain about. They can listen to the same section of a training session over and over, until they’re certain of it.