Some of the advantages of elearning, on-demand learning, asynchronous learning – whatever you call the ability to access learning at your convenience – are offset by some of the drawbacks such as the potential for learner disengagement during the virtual classroom experience.

Blending Online and Human Interaction for Max Impact

To make sure your learners get the most out of your elearning offerings, take a blended approach and give them credit for participating in virtual environments. Let them know you see them and make it worth their while to take advantage of online learning opportunities. Give recognition and encouragement liberally. Nobody wants to learn in a vacuum.

When computer-based learning first came on the scene, it was a popular bandwagon. After all, a pre-packaged elearning program is a great way to deliver consistent content to all learners on their own time at a relatively low cost per learner. Some online learning proponents predicted  the death of live classes. The rumors of its death were premature.

On-demand or asynchronous learning has earned its place in the training world and it’s irreplaceable. But the live class lives on. The nature of work and the workplace makes means people are accessing learning all the time and so asynchronous learning is needed.  In fact, elearning just makes good sense.  Like other learning modalities, acquisition of knowledge via elearning programs is still best aided by the human factors of getting feedback, asking questions, and having personal support.

Support At All Points Along the Learning Continuum

In light of the importance of the personal interactions, the best uses of elearning takes advantage of its portability, and good program design puts supports around elearners so they have the human connection as well. Here are three ways to use your elearning platforms to maximize their impact:

1. Pre-learning – As in the flipped classroom. Send information in the form of an audio or video webcast, or a more structured learning program, but deliver this new pre-packaged online information to the student before your live class to enrich the interpersonal learning.
2. The core experience – Deliver information rich learning in the form of well-crafted elearning modules that are designed around learning objectives, test appropriately at intervals to reinforce learning, and use interactive case studies that demonstrate integration of concepts. Support the online learning program with some flexible human interaction through occasional emails to check in with learners, an online moderated forum discussion platform or a live Q&A with instructors.
3. Learning support – After a live class, you can support ongoing retention and growth by using a smartphone or tablet-based mobile learning platform to push information to students after the event. Use flexible mlearning platforms to ask your learners questions and gather their input. Push reminders in the forms of small chunks of information. Send a link to a video, audio or pdf with additional information to continue their growth. The goal is to use online individually-controlled and -accessed mini learning events to support your live classroom material.

Ongoing, lifelong, adult learning requires learners to take responsibility for their own growth. You can, however, support their efforts by making information easy to access and by making sure there is a human somewhere along the learning continuum to provide additional information and support.