Corporate learning on a classroom basis is outdated. We show why the current generation of employees demands corporate e-learning.

In-house training measures, also known as “corporate learning”, are not inventions of the 21st century. For successful companies, it has been part of everyday business for decades to train employees internally and prepare them for new challenges. However, the way that happens is starting to change, slowly but surely. Corporate learning becomes e-learning in the company or corporate e-learning. Training that relies on classroom methods has been outdated for some time, but new work models such as remote work and, not least, the Covid 19 pandemic have made some of it finally obsolete. In the future, corporate e-learning will claim the lion’s share of knowledge transfer.

It has long been known that classroom training and seminars, which are more reminiscent of everyday school life and not a contemporary continuing education program, are outdated. Nevertheless, classroom methods are still used regularly in corporate learning. For this to change, two things are needed as a matter of priority: companies that see valuable opportunities in the digital transformation, and employees who are willing to think digitally. The latter, in particular, is almost taken for granted today. The generation of digital natives has digital in its blood and is ready for corporate e-learning. We would even go one step further and say: The new generation of employees demands it. The reason: people who grew up with laptops in their cribs are difficult to reach with corporate learning, which is based on imparting knowledge through frontal instruction. This means that if employees are bored and just passively endure the training, they will not learn anything.

Today’s employees, and especially those of tomorrow, want a modern learning experience, i.e., a combination of interactivity, social components, videos, storytelling, etc. – elements that only digitization makes possible. In addition, the current and future generation of employees needs one thing above all when it comes to learning success: absolute flexibility and independence of location. Time pressure, busy schedules, but also environmental considerations make corporate e-learning offerings attractive to 21st century employees.

But corporate e-learning does not only bring benefits for the employees’ side.

In the long term, corporate e-learning is more cost-effective than classroom-based training. From the second or third year at the latest, internal e-learning measures are profitable, as costs for trainers, travel, accommodation and catering are reduced or even reduced to zero. It also eliminates an enormous administrative burden for companies.

While the benefits outlined above allude primarily to organizational issues and learners’ personal preferences, we now turn our attention to the concrete benefits of corporate e-learning for learning success. This is why e-learning is worthwhile in the company:

Complex topics are presented in an understandable way
Corporate e-learning makes it possible to convey complex topics in a more comprehensible way. For example, long operating instructions presented during product training courses are difficult for employees to understand. e-Learning takes the complexity out of the subject and allows for better knowledge transfer through the use of elements such as interaction, video, photos, illustrations, etc.

Information is stored better
e-Learning offers numerous opportunities to support learners’ knowledge retention. For example, the regular integration of a quiz helps to repeat what has been learned and to better store knowledge. In addition, tasks can be conveniently repeated, which guarantees more intensive engagement with the learning content. Incorporating microlearning elements also helps to ensure that knowledge is better embedded.

Learning content gets full attention
The aforementioned integration of a wide variety of elements ensures that e-learning offerings hold the attention of learners. Gamification elements in particular ensure that motivation remains constantly high and learners engage with content in a focused manner.

An article from Small Business Trends shows just how popular e-learning is in companies: according to the article, the use of e-learning in companies has increased by over 900% in the last 16 years. Since this data is from 2017 and accordingly pre-Corona times, it can be assumed that the percentage today is still quite a bit higher.
And there are also significant figures regarding learning success: While normal classroom training achieves a participant retention rate of 8 to 10%, e-learning achieves a participant retention rate of between 25 and 60%. Best of all, content reaches learners more directly and accurately. According to a study by Brandon Hall, content is learned 40 to 60% faster through e-learning than through classroom training.

So much for the theory, now for the practice. If you also want to use e-learning as knowledge management in your company, you should be aware that the success of internal e-learning measures depends on the professional preparation of the learning offer. e-Learning that is to have a long-term effect needs an experienced team of e-didactics experts, graphic designers, programmers and project management specialists. Consider which areas you can cover with your own resources and where you should consult professional support. This is the only way to turn your project into an e-learning offering worthy of the name. After all, we know from experience that e-learning built without didactics professionals rarely adds value for learners. A professional e-learning provider will help you create e-learning scripts and e-learning frameworks that will be the foundation of e-learning success for you and help embed corporate e-learning in your organization for the long term.

Are you currently looking for consulting or a partner for corporate e-learning? We would be happy to accompany you and your company in your entry into digital knowledge management!