Training & education, like all other industries, is witnessing a tremendous increase in the usage of online technologies. From authoring and delivery of courses to feedback and assessment, every part of the learning process has now been revolutionised by comprehensive web-based tools and platforms.

The eLearning industry was on the rise even before the coronavirus outbreak disrupted our lives. However, since all physical offices and educational institutions shut down last year, the demand for online learning rose exponentially. Unfortunately, so did people’s scepticism regarding its efficacy. While a large number of educational institutions and organisations are currently relying on eLearning platforms to continue their learning programmes, learners and their parents are still on the fence. Young students are worried about the relevancy of online degrees in the long run whereas corporate employees are unsure if online training programmes will result in any valuable addition to their skill set.

Now, some of these apprehensions are acceptable, but a majority of them might be stemming from myths that have surrounded eLearning since its inception. So, to help you understand the true pros and cons of eLearning, we have busted some common eLearning myths below. Keep reading on to make sure that you don’t fall prey to any one of them.

Myth 1: E-Learning requires deep technical knowledge

One of the biggest myths about eLearning is that to draw the most out of it, you need to have strong technical knowledge. This misconception is fairly common with regard to almost all technologies. However, in reality, for effective eLearning, all a learner needs to know is how to enrol for the course and access the learning material. For general online courses, basic computing skills such as navigating a browser, uploading or downloading files, etc are sufficient. Although, if you are enrolling for a technical course such as coding or programming, you might require some more advanced skills. In short, the level of skills required for effective eLearning depends on the type of course you are opting for. Having deep technical knowledge is not always a prerequisite.

Additionally, almost all online platforms or LMS now come with instructional guides or tutorials for administrators as well. So, even if you are not familiar with the concerned eLearning platform, you can easily update yourself.

Myth 2: Implementing eLearning Systems demands a huge investment

Another prevalent myth about eLearning is that setting up or adopting tools like learning management systems in your company will be prohibitively expensive. It is thought that the financial strain it places on your resources far outweighs any benefits it may provide. This is, unsurprisingly, not true.

While implementing eLearning platforms like LMS into your training programmes is bound to cost a considerable amount of money initially, it will ultimately prove to be the most cost-effective solution.

How? Well, after implementing the LMS, the majority of your employee training and learning activities will be conducted online. This will dramatically reduce your costs by eliminating the expenses of maintaining or hiring a physical classroom. It will also save time and money otherwise spent on paperwork and manual administrative tasks. You can also go through the online HSI Reviews or other leading LMS and see how organisations are going gaga over their cost-effectiveness.

Myth 3: E-Learning in only for theory-based subjects

This is probably the most strongly held misconception. Learners around the world believe that enrolling on online courses is beneficial only if the subject is theory-based. Practical or more complex subjects that demand certain physical abilities are impossible to be taught online. While it was actually true during the initial years, the eLearning industry is no longer bounded by these restrictions. The eLearning tools and platforms currently available in the market now come with advanced features such as stimulation, branching scenarios, gamification features and much more. These elements allow learners to have real-life experiences and understand how bookish concepts apply in real life. In simpler terms, practical or theory-based, eLearning has proven effective for all kinds of subjects.

Conclusion

Myths abound in the eLearning industry, as they do in the rest of the world. So, you should exercise caution and double-check the information you receive to avoid these fallacies from hurting your organisation.