Whether micro-learning, WBT or video training: E-Learning is on the rise in the professional development sector! However, the wide variety of digital learning methods often causes confusion. We have compared the 7 most important e-learning methods and provide you with a complete overview in this article!
"Is this topic also available as E-Learning?" – Perhaps you have heard this question from a potential customer before. It is very likely that you have encountered the topic of E-Learning in some way. According to a recent study by the platform for vocational adult education, 68% of all companies today are already using digital learning methods for training.
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This not only means a change for the companies, but also for the trainers who will have to implement such digital measures. If the trend continues strongly, "digital learning" will be an offering that you as a trainer must provide to your clients in a few years.
It becomes complicated when looking at the multitude of different learning methods. It is often not entirely clear which form of E-Learning the customer actually wants: blended learning, microlearning, video training, or WBT? To make the optimal decision as a trainer, you need to know:
what the terms actually mean,
where the differences between the methods lie, and
for which purpose each is best suited.
Therefore, we will give you a brief overview of the most important digital learning methods for adult education:
The "who is who" of digital learning methods
The basic method: E-Learning
According to the definition, E-Learning, in short, encompasses "all forms of learning (...), in which electronic or digital media (...) are used." E-Learning is therefore not a digital learning method in itself, but the umbrella term for many different learning methods.
Learning method 1: Blended Learning
In blended learning, you complement in-person events with online courses. To be precise, blended learning is not a pure E-Learning method, but a combination of analog and digital learning methods.
Blended learning does not mean that you conduct an in-person training while offering the same content digitally in the online course. Rather, you distribute the content sensibly: Theoretical knowledge is best conveyed in the online course. You then use the often limited in-person time extensively for practical transfer.
Learning method 2: M-Learning
In the article "What the hell is M-Learning?" my colleague Corinna recently dealt with the term and showed: The modern term M-Learning is just the short form of "mobile learning".
Learning content is accessed via mobile learning on a smartphone or tablet. Mobile learning and E-Learning are often distinguished, but by definition, M-Learning is clearly an E-Learning method – just not on a PC, but on a mobile device.
Learning method 3: Microlearning
With microlearning, you divide all the knowledge from your training into as many small, digestible learning bites as possible. This avoids overwhelming your participants and supports long-term learning effects.
Digitally, you can, for example, offer small learning units every day without being present every day. Micro-learning is a versatile method among E-Learning methods and can be perfectly combined with blended learning or M-Learning. You can read how it works best in the article "3 Rules for Creating Learning Bites".
Learning method 4: Video training
A video training is an e-learning method that mainly or fully consists of learning videos. The videos are available online for participants. Thus, they can learn at their own pace and independently of location.
Video trainings give you the opportunity to offer even complex learning content simply and repetitively. Additionally, videos are authentic and significantly more motivating than texts or other “silent” learning media. And for you as a trainer, learning videos are also easy to produce – if you avoid some classic mistakes with learning videos!
Guide: Creating Good Videos on Your Smartphone
Do you want to shoot your own learning videos for video training? In the free guide, you will learn how to easily achieve this with your own smartphone!
Learning method 5: WBT
Web-Based Training (WBT) is probably what most customers envision under the term E-Learning: You provide learning content on a learning platform or in a program via the internet.
In contrast to mobile learning, the content of a WBT does not necessarily have to be available on a mobile device. The duration of the learning units is generally not fixed either. A WBT is essentially the basic form of e-learning, which can be specifically supplemented by the other methods.
Learning method 6: Webinar
In a webinar, you give a presentation to a virtual group of participants. This is possible both live and via a recording, which is available online independently of time.
Webinars are very suitable if you have very large groups of participants who cannot sit together in one place – making an in-person event impossible. You can, for example, integrate recordings into a WBT and offer a complete training in digital space with complementary online content.
Learning method 7: Virtual Reality
Through a special fully digital headset, participants can practice important processes and situations in a virtual space in real-time. The catch: Participants can influence the events themselves!
This digital learning method is probably the newest among those mentioned. However, virtual reality is already being successfully used by some large companies like Deutsche Bahn and Stihl (here is a report). There are still only a few projects – but it is possible that the technology will spread further in the coming years.
Overview: The 7 Most Important E-Learning Methods
Many terms, many pieces of information! The following table should help you choose the right E-Learning method for your training and your customer's wishes.
It is important to understand the differentiation between synchronous (s) and asynchronous (a) learning methods: This way you know whether you need to be physically present for the respective method or if your participants can learn spatially independent of you.
| Learning Method | Advantages | Application Possibilities || ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- || Blended Learning (s + a) | Combines in-person with online learning. High sustainability. No renunciation of personal support. | Basic knowledge can be conveyed digitally, but in-person cannot be dispensed with. || M-Learning (a) | Learning on a mobile device is location and time independent. Mobile devices are well-liked by participants. High flexibility. | There are not enough stationary devices available for all participants. Learning on the way to work or from home is desired. || Micro-Learning (a) | No overwhelming of participants. High flexibility. Versatile combinability. | Extensive learning content should be conveyed in small steps, e.g., in combination with M-Learning. || Video Training (a) | Simplifies the content. Very motivating. Very personal. Quick and easy to produce. | Complex processes or programs in the workplace should be explained and demonstrated as practically as possible. || WBT (a) | Simple basis for all other methods. Versatile combinability. | Well-suited for an introduction to digital learning methods. Can be supplemented and expanded with all other methods. || Webinar (s / a) | Well-suited for very large participant groups. Presence possible independently of location. Very personal. Versatile combinability. | Record a frequently held presentation and offer it uniformly digitally in the future, when participants cannot be on-site. || Virtual Reality (a) | Realistic. Well-suited for practicing processes. Connects virtual and real learning. | New processes in technical or medical professions should be practiced in a protected virtual space instead of on the real object. |
Conclusion: Not every digital learning method fits every training!
Let’s return to the initial question: "Is this topic also available as E-Learning?" You cannot simply answer with yes or no.
You need to know what the client exactly envisions under E-Learning and what is feasible. There is not just one type of E-Learning since E-Learning can take on many different forms.
Clarify 3 questions with your customer before deciding on an E-Learning method:
Terminology: What exactly does your customer understand by E-Learning? Do they envision a classic WBT or are they thinking of a video training or a webinar?
Goal: What goal does your customer pursue with the desire to implement E-Learning? Note: The format should never become an end in itself! Why it is important to adapt the format to the goal, you can read in the article "Adapt the format to your goal!".
Technology: Are the necessary devices for the various methods available? Do all participants have mobile devices for mobile learning? Can videos be played on company computers?
Based on these three questions and the overview above, you can choose the digital learning method that is ideal for you, your customer and the participants.
For an easy entry into the world of digital learning methods, we recommend starting with blended learning. As described, you combine in blended learning in-person seminars with an online accompaniment. How to implement this versatile learning method correctly, you can learn in our free guide.
Free Guide
Blended Learning for Trainers
Create your own blended learning concept! From setting objectives to content creation, call-to-actions, and methods: In the guide, you will learn how to improve your training in 9 steps.
To the Trainer Guide for Blended Learning
