Finding an online platform that is right for your learners, students and coworkers isn’t always easy. Thankfully, there are simple ways to finding the right platform that will best suit your learners’ needs and goals. To help you find the right solution, find out:
In this article, you’ll find out the concept behind online platforms and how you can use it to create a positive experience for your learners, students and coworkers. What is an online platform?An online platform is an e-learning platform that has been created using Internet technology. Online platforms have revolutionised access to all sorts of information. Not only is the Internet used for learning, it is also used in our everyday lives for all sorts of things. The term “online platform” is used to describe a series of services available online, such as:
An online platform is a digital service that uses the Internet to facilitate interactions between two or more separate but interdependent users (whether they are companies or private individuals). Platforms are places where demand and supply meet electronically. The 3 advantages of an online platform in learningOnline platforms have many advantages to offer students, learners and workers. Independent learningIndependent learning and technology undeniably go hand in hand. When learners are not obliged to follow the instructor’s pace in class, they are free to use the e-learning tools and various technologies at their disposal and follow their own pace. Most millennial learners and generation Z learners are perfectly capable of using today’s technology with total ease. They can also build their own customised learning programmes, monitor and check their learning progress and assess their performance using an LMS platform (Learning management system). Distance learning is made possible thanks to online learning systems where instructors can also check on learners’ progress if needed or asked to do so. Instructors can also use online learning platforms to encourage and promote independent working in other contexts such as in a company, a training organisation or an educational institution by:
Access to learner progress monitoringYour students’, learners’ or coworkers’ progress is constantly monitored on an e-learning platform where you can access data regarding:
Furthermore, other monitoring tools can be implemented so you can follow your virtual classroom’s progress and commitment to the programme.
Preparing your learners for exams and certificates with a fun and engaging training courseAn e-learning platform will be very useful if your learners’, coworkers’ and students’ are planning to prepare for one of the many renowned certificates. It will be easier for them to customise their training course according to their goals and the certificate they want to obtain. Furthermore, whether their level is beginner, intermediate or proficient, they can adjust their course to best suit their needs by adding level-specific modules. For better exam preparation, they can choose to use the mock exams at their disposal. Mock exams will enable them to be:
In short, e-learning platforms will put your learners under real exam conditions from the very beginning which can help deal with certain downsides like stress or lack of confidence. An e-learning platform may be by definition, an online learning course but it’s generally more fun and engaging for learners. Video contents come in different formats like:
One of the major assets of online learning is that it’s accessible to all. So you can easily adapt to your learners’, students’ or coworkers’ learning preferences by offering them an online course format that best suits their needs. The 3 disadvantages of an online platformJust like classroom learning, online lessons have a few disadvantages too. Accumulation of workOnline learning requires self-discipline and organisation. It can be hard for learners, students and coworkers to draw the line between work and online studying, eventually leading to a feeling of being overwhelmed. That is why self-discipline and organisation are primal. Without them, learners will get easily distracted by other activities at home or on the computer. Lack of human contactStudents, learners and coworkers can learn a lot in the company of their teachers or instructors. But with online classrooms, physical interactions between students and teachers are minimal which can sometimes result in a feeling of isolation. It’s crucial companies, training organisations and even educational institutions provide other forms of communication to avoid this type of feeling. For example, online messages, emails and videoconferences can be organised to favour face-to-face interaction. Concerns regarding prolonged screen timeMany parents are worried about the dangers of too much screen time on their children’s health. And prolonged screen time is one of the biggest concerns and the main disadvantage of online learning. Learners sometimes end up developing bad postures and other physical problems like sitting bent over in front of a screen or experiencing eye fatigue. One good solution would be to give your students numerous breaks so they can refresh their mind and body. Choosing the right online learning courseChoosing the right online course means choosing the right Learning Management System (LMS). Here are 5 criteria you should take into account: A customisable and easy-to-use LMSOne of the most important aspects when choosing an LMS is its usability when it comes to creation and customisation. On one hand, the most complex LMSs will enable you to control the different features of your online learning platform ranging from online layout to the visual elements of your course. On the other hand, if you choose an easy-to-use LMS with predefined templates, you won’t have as much leeway to include customisable features into the design of your online course. Therefore, when choosing the tools for your ideal LMS, ask yourself whether you prefer flexibility or usability. Defining your objectiveWhen looking for the right LMS, knowing what kind of result you want to get out of it at the end of the day is primal. For example, do you want to include various scenarios based on reality to give your learners practical knowledge? Do you plan to add video contents to create an online course that will gain your learners’ interest? Do you want to introduce a particular type of learning model like blended learning? Knowing the features you want to include in your course and the results you want to obtain from them are key to finding your ideal LMS. Keeping your learners’ needs in mindBy keeping your students’, learners’ or coworkers needs and aspirations in mind when choosing your e-learning platform, you’ll be sure to choose the one that will meet their most relevant requirements. For example, if you choose to use a fully customisable but more expensive tool, you should ask yourself if your learners will really make use of all the extra features. Do they need highly interactive video scenarios added to their modules or will online learning be more effective with a more simplistic approach using slideshows? So it’s primal you know your students’, learners’ and coworkers’ abilities and limits regarding the use of technology and the kind of learning system they feel comfortable with so you can choose the LMS that will perfectly meet their professional needs. Can the platform you’ve chosen take on the communication media your learners prefer to use? How do you intend to give classes online to your learners? Will the learners be able to access course contents offline? Will your learners be able to access their online course via a mobile device? The answers to these questions will give you a better idea of the kind of e-learning software you should be looking for. Determine your online course’s interactivity level beforehandDo you plan on adding several interactive features to your course such as:
How interactive and immersive do you want your learners’ digital experience to be? A certain number of platforms offer a selection of templates you can use to create highly interactive features whereas others can be more basic with more limitations. So we suggest you define the degree of interactivity you need for your digital course beforehand. Will you need to monitor student progress and data?Depending on what you are looking for, some platforms provide detailed monitoring systems that assess student progress and determine the main areas of a module students need to improve on as well as in-depth data on student performance. Other LMSs on the other hand will only give basic student data. Although the most comprehensive digital platforms are more costly, they do however offer many benefits making the extra cost worth the investment. Make sure you also check that the platform you intend to use is compatible with the other online software you use on a regular basis. Written for OEB21 by GlobalExam. Find out more about GlobalExam at the exhibition of the 27th edition of the event, and at https://global-exam.com/en. |