Do Companies Need Distance Learning Software?

Distance learning systems have been given a new lease of life during the coronavirus pandemic. In order to continue to effectively train specialists and raise the level of knowledge of employees, many companies began to use ready-made distance learning platforms. But there are many examples when a business has ordered the development of its own training systems that provide the required level of protection of corporate information. We asked experts in the American market whether they consider the development of distance learning systems important and whether they need to be developed to order.

Steve O’Dell, Co-founder and CEO of Tenzo

Distanced learning software would make a great addition to any team looking to help keep engagement and productivity high in their business. Having better ways to break down for people how to get through projects and using certain software that presents better clarification of day-to-day roles will increase a work environment immensely. If offices are looking to stay in a hybrid or online-only format, this cannot be overlooked. If you have seen frustration from your employees grow over time due to working virtually, this could be a big solution for you and your team.

Carrie Derocher, CMO of TextSanity

In any case, it is best to help aid your employees the best you can. If you have the means of doing so, get the software to help make projects easier to accomplish. Even though it has been a year, it is still difficult for many people to work from home. It is hard to grasp ideas or work smoothly without something there to show you, but with a lot of these platforms you can more easily show someone what work they should be completing and how to do it. If your business is intending to stay online, there should not be any reason why to pass up at least one form of software that can enhance the virtual experience.

Dimitris Tsapis, HR manager Coara

We had to change our onboarding process to match the government set-out pandemic safety guidelines, which meant as we were switching to remote work we had to drastically pilot our approach to the new employee learning and training process so that it could be completely taken care of remotely.

Our company pays a lot of attention to internal diversity and inclusion and to ensure them while in remote onboarding To execute this we used Applied. We use the platform in our remote onboarding efforts and also in our diverse hiring efforts, to minimize the risk of unconscious biases when dealing with employee applications.

From the technical side of introducing employees to processes, tasks, and systems there hasn’t been such a huge change in the quality of virtual training compared to in-person.

What change has been noticed is a bit lower engagement due to a lack of genuine human-to-human interaction and connection during the training process.

Jill Sandies, founder at Constant Delights

Definitely yes and most big companies even have their internal systems with huge resources. I believe it will become the norms very soon considering the effect of the current pandemic.

Distance learning can help employees access valuable courses and insights from leaders and managers in the companies. As leaders and managers are quite busy, it makes sense for them to do a few training rather than doing it over and over again.

From my experience, companies usually have a system to keep track of their employee learning records. They will use these records for annual performance reviews or even promotions.

I think any companies that want to grow their human resource should have internal training systems, along with inviting speakers/trainers occasionally. It reduces the workload for managers/leaders, boosting the company’s spirit and providing a strong connection between the company and employee.

There are many components such as lecture, video, questions, interactive, case-based, etc. But I think the most important is not the components, but how you balance between them. We definitely don’t want to watch videos and answer questions over and over again.

Abby Abby, Wellcircuitboard

In this digital age, companies need distance learning to increase the productivity and results of their teams. Instead of having local instructors or sending your employees to take courses at local universities, they connect with trainers worldwide. They get to learn from professionals who are at the top of their game.

How Distance Learning Solutions Improve Employee Skills

Allow Employees to Learn at Their Pace

An employee with access to E-learning software can learn at their pace. There is no need to rush through content or move with the speed of colleagues. So, there is an opportunity to absorb the information.

Fast Deployment of Content

Content in online training is delivered quickly and conveniently. The workers get access to skills and new information speedily other than waiting for printed materials. An organization will only need to upload the material and offer the workers access to the content right away.

Fast Access to Informative Resources

By including links to webinars, videos, and articles, employees supply their staff with information and references that they can use to expand their knowledge to sharpen their skills more.

Boosts Knowledge Retention

An engaging and interactive scenario leads to improved skills and knowledge retention. Giving them access to reality-based examples, assessments, and games help them to digest information more efficiently. They are then able to utilize skills when they venture into the working environment.

Allow Global Collaboration and Networking

E-learning enhances collaboration across the world. Some of the best platforms from different regions allow employees to contribute to company discussions.

All companies should invest in e-learning irrespective of the size, the number of staff, or budget. It reduces training costs, boosts employees’ productivity, and eliminates the need for on-site instructors. A company or organization without an e-learning option is going to be trailing.

Hazem Abolrous, RingStone

Absolutely, this is not something new due to the recent Covid impact but has been a practice in place due to increasing distributed development practices in the past 20 years.

The default employee learning system is typically 70% (hands-on) 20% (from peers) 10% in the classroom or guided learning. While only 10% is from guided learning, it is the most important portion helping exploration, motivation, and more importantly supporting the key message that the employer «cares».

The distance learning software does not have to be proprietary but can be one or more third-party tools. It allows flexibility and the time to “explore” away from work day-to-day distractions which are key to add value.

Marianna Lastovetska, Tiktal

In conditions of the pandemic, employers don’t have lots of opportunities to visit training and courses as they had before. Unfortunately, we need to move the work process to online. And, in this case, distance learning isn’t the exception. This type of learning works. I know this from my personal experience.

Should these systems affect the overall assessment of the work of specialists? 

I think yes. Why? Because you spend money for employers’ growth and development and your target is to see the result. Also, it will be a good motivation for your employers to seize the opportunities.

What distance learning solutions for employees can be successful?

The best choice, it’s to find a specialist, who is giving such service in your industry. However, I think a good solution can be a combination of different programs (Zoom, Google Class, the other platforms, which distance learning companies offer) and teachers. Also, you need a person who will be responsible for all the educational process.

What components or technologies should be present in the finished solution?

1. A few platforms (it depends on your goals)

2. Teachers

3. The person who is responsible for software and its good work

4. The person who is responsible for assessment and cooperation with employers.

Tim Denman, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at ServGrow

If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. No matter who you are or where you work, I think it’s so important that every now and then, you take the time out to learn new skills or brush up on old ones.

Companies need distance learning software if they want to continue having a company of skilled employees.

Distance learning solutions can give employees the opportunity to learn new skills that may improve the flow of their current jobs or open a door to new growth opportunities within the field. These systems shouldn’t affect the overall assessment of work specialists since that requires years of education and experience, but it would help if others understood the basics of what specialists have to work with. I think all types of companies can benefit from internal training systems.

There’s always something you can learn. Some distance learning solutions for employees to ensure success can be provided via a company’s personal learning school or companies can provide subscriptions to other educational sites.

Jennifer Gehrt, Communique

Incorporating distance learning software within companies is especially timely right now as many Americans (25 percent in 2021) are continuing to work remotely. Businesses are relying on video management software to ensure employees are still able to collaborate, share knowledge, and access company trainings. Distance learning software provides a way for companies to continue offering professional development opportunities and record/store institutional knowledge that can be accessed on-demand. This technology ensures that workers can continue building the skills and knowledge to grow in their current roles and ultimately strengthen the businesses they work for.

Distance learning software helps employees develop and improve skills and broaden areas of expertise. Tools like Panopto help companies provide training videos on job-specific technical skills and complex organizational processes. With Panopto, a company can easily develop instructor-led training sessions or record a quick micro-learning tutorial. Also, every video uploaded to Panopto is indexed using speech and text recognition so an employee can search for any word spoken or any word shown on-screen. When a search term is found, they can fast-forward to that precise point in the video, making it easier to access the information they need.

Panopto also provides a way to facilitate remote onboarding/training for new hires. Again, this is especially timely in today’s pandemic-influenced remote environment, where companies are hiring new employees who start their jobs remotely.

Really any sort of company can benefit from implementing distance learning software within their internal training or communications organizations. Companies that are mid-size and larger (multi-offices, across time zones) may especially benefit from on-demand video management software because employees are able to access video training whenever it is most convenient for them.

Distance learning solutions that offer companies the ability to offer live and recorded videos are the most beneficial and offer the most flexibility for companies. The ability to build an on-demand video library is also useful so companies can record something once and use it multiple times. Due to the rapid rise of remote workforces, video has become an essential collaboration medium for employees. If companies are looking to incorporate distance learning software into their business practices and processes, it’s important the software has a collaborative video component to it.

Julien Raby, ThermoGears

Yes, companies do need distance learning software in order to enhance their company and employee training sessions. There are certain training sessions which are being held at the headquarters only. In order for managers of other regions to have access to these sessions without physically being there, distance learning software will come in handy.

Distance learning solutions can help employees to become more tech-savvy and prepare for the future where they may be in the same managerial position for training other employees. They help employees to have access to all sorts of software training and skill development programs across the world, at the comfort of their homes. You can work and develop a stronghold on the skills that you wanted to obtain.

Yes, these systems can affect the overall assessment of the work of specialists as not all trainers or instructors are as tech-savvy as the others. They may face difficulty in getting used to the system, which can affect the way they interact with people or teach them.

Marketing and IT relevant companies should actively implement such internal training systems as you constantly need to develop your interpersonal and professional work skills in these fields. You need to have a good hold of both hardcore and softcore skills.

Real-life scenarios: One of the best distance learning solutions which can be successful for employees is that of using real-life scenarios when training them. This acts as a good tactic to engage employees and have them understand the objective behind the point stated as well. You get to absorb information quickly and in a more memorable way.

If you’re considering developing distance learning software, you should read about factors that influence the software development budget.