Monday, March 24, 2014

The 6 Most Common Errors Organizations Make When Utilizing Online IT Courses

By Lisa Schmidt


Using elearning courses is a way for organizations to maximize time, money and other valuable resources. This kind of training is typically convenient for the people who participate in it, and many individuals prefer it as a learning method. However, as with any other type of practice, a variety of issues may arise. It is not unusual for associations to make certain mistakes while implementing online training, and some mistakes are more common than others.

Mistake 1: Hands-off approach

One of the most common errors that an organization might make is to have the expectation that people will enroll in a course, simply because it is available. In fact, there is a variety of reasons why some online IT training do not experience success after their initial implementation. Unless a course is made a requirement, there could be many factors that keep individuals from taking it and remaining committed to it.

Mistake 2: Unlimited time

Another top mistake is to allow those who enroll in a course as much time as they want to finish it. When an individual is aware that a course might be taken or finished at any time, it may not be a high priority to that person. If the prospective participant knows that the course is required, and that it must be completed by a certain date, finishing the course is likely to seem more urgent. Some companies have learned that offering courses in segments, as well as creating deadlines for every segment, is an effective way to improve enrollment and completion rates.

Mistake 3: Technical implementation

Issues with software and other technology are not uncommon online, and many organizations fail to correct such problems in a timely manner. If the people who take a course are not able to move past a certain segment because of software issues, they may become frustrated. This can lead to a general loss of interest in the course.

Mistake 4: Irrelevant content

Along with technical problems, countless organizations forget to eradicate irrelevant content. This could be especially important in the IT field. If participants see too much material that is obsolete, the entire program might lose credibility. It is critical to be certain that the material within a course remains useful to participants.

Mistake 5: Complex subjects

One easy mistake to make is to assume that an online course by itself is enough to educate people about a complex topic. Although some basic courses can be easily completed, most programs should be complemented by an instructor. A classroom format online can be designed in such a way that an instructor can answer questions about the course.

Mistake 6: Timely communication

Forgetting to communicate could be the top mistake an association might make, when offering such online courses. If a deadline changes, it is in the best interest of the organization to inform those enrolled about the change as soon as possible. Before a course is implemented, if there are any major objectives or requirements expected of participants, such things should be communicated to them.

Elearning has become an important tool for countless associations. It is important for people to learn from the mistakes that others have made. When common errors are avoided, an organization can maximize resources instead of wasting them unnecessarily. Using a qualified online IT training provider is another way to ensure that valuable resources are used appropriately.




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