As highlighted by a recent study, companies spend over $340 billion on employee training and development every year. Also, they spend about $1500 on average to train, reskill, and upskill individual employees. The investment in training and skilling initiatives helps businesses boost operational efficiency, employee productivity, customer experiences, and revenue growth.
At the same time, learning and development (L&D), as a strategic investment, helps businesses attract skilled talent and retain existing talent. Most companies and startups reduce L&D costs and complexities by adopting digital learning or online learning (eLearning). Unlike conventional learning models, digital learning models help organizations reduce upfront and ongoing costs.
Also, digital learning tools enable enterprises to run various L&D programs efficiently and successfully. Most enterprises these days boost L&D initiatives by implementing multiple cloud-based digital learning tools. They also build unified learning platforms by integrating these cloud-based digital learning tools. We are discussing some of the digital learning tools enterprises implement to boost L&D initiatives.
7 Digital Learning Tools Driving Enterprise Training and Skilling Initiatives
Company Learning Management System
A company learning management system (LMS) boosts L&D initiatives by facilitating self-paced learning. A manager can use the digital learning tool to create, deliver, manage, and monitor various L&D programs. Employees can develop and hone skills after working hours by accessing the software on computers or mobile devices.
New-age LMSs boost learner engagement by supporting mobile learning, collaborative learning, and gamified learning. At the same time, the dashboard provided by the LMS systems for business helps managers monitor and evaluate L&D initiatives in real time using important metrics like course completion rates, course progress, and learner performance.
Also, managers can use the dashboard to make sense of L&D data by generating and scheduling custom reports. An enterprise can further support hybrid learning by combining the LMS with online classroom software. Likewise, it can deliver eLearning content in multiple formats to employees by integrating the digital learning system with digital library software.
Digital Library Software
Digital library software helps businesses overcome one of the biggest L&D challenges – delivering eLearning content in various formats and languages. The off-the-shelf content provided by the software enables employees to access content in multiple formats – eBooks, video, audio, quizzes, and simulations. In addition, the software hones their professional skills by sharing curated content.
The curated content enables employees to learn best practices and trends by accessing content produced by thought leadership content. Also, new-age digital library software fosters learner engagement using gamification techniques. An enterprise can further integrate the cloud-based digital library software with other digital learning tools using application programming interfaces (APIs).
Online Classroom Software
Enterprises implement online classroom software to enable employees to interact with instructors in a virtual learning environment. The software allows employees to acquire knowledge by attending live sessions or watching session recordings. Instructors can use the digital whiteboard provided by the software to explain topics and concepts by combining multi-format content.
Also, the software allows them to share digital content and suggest further reading. At the same time, the digital learning tool facilitates collaboration by providing features like chat rooms, discussion forums, and query corners. Most enterprises support hybrid learning by integrating the virtual classroom software with an LMS.
eLearning Dashboards
Managers assess L&D programs and initiatives using important metrics like course enrollment, course completion, learner performance, and learner engagement. The ELearning dashboard helps them track these key L&D metrics in real-time. A manager can use the intuitive dashboard to gather real-time information on learners and L&D programs on demand.
At the same time, he can use the dashboard to generate and schedule a variety of custom reports. The custom reports help managers assess eLearning initiatives based on real-time data. Hence, it becomes easier for managers to make L&D programs successful by meeting learner expectations and improving learning experiences.
Learning Analytics
Digital learning tools collect learning process data regularly. However, managers often find it challenging to make sense of the raw data. Learning analytics helps them make sense of the large amount of raw data by sharing actionable insights. Learning analytics solutions collect, analyze, measure, and report L&D data automatically.
They help managers understand trends and patterns by sharing data-driven insights. In addition, they help managers understand what is working and what is not. A manager can leverage the insights shared by the digital learning tool to improve the L&D process by making informed decisions.
Learning Experience Platforms
A learning experience platform (LXP) drives enterprise L&D by supporting self-directed learning. L&D managers use this digital learning solution to encourage employees to develop and hone skills according to their preferences. An LXP enables employees to understand a specific topic by sharing curated content. The formal and informal content makes employees understand the desired topic deeply.
Also, it personalized their learning experiences based on historical data. Leading LXPs further feature AI chatbots that act as virtual instructors. The chatbots explain concepts and clear doubts by emulating human-like conversations through voice and non-voice channels. However, enterprises prefer LMSs to LXPs to control the L&D process according to organizational needs and goals.
Educational Chatbots
AI technologies enable chatbots to simulate human-like conversations through text and voice channels. Educational chatbots are AI-powered digital learning tools customized to act as virtual instructors or mentors. They explain topics and answer questions while keeping employees engaged. Businesses customize the chatbot to automate specific L&D activities.
In addition to acting as virtual tutors, educational chatbots automate important administrative tasks like course registration, feedback collection, learner progress assessment, and learning need analysis. Most companies embed customized chatbots in their L&D portals. Also, they opt for digital learning tools featuring built-in chatbots.
Conclusion
Digital learning tools enable employees to acquire new skills and hone existing skills at their own pace and convenience. At the same time, they make it easier for employers to create, manage, deliver, and track various L&D programs. However, Industry 4.0 technologies like artificial intelligence and data analytics have been transforming enterprise learning. Hence, most companies and startups opt for digital learning tools that offer advanced features and leverage cutting-edge technologies.
