Sunday, March 16, 2014

The Top 6 Errors Associations Make When Using Online IT Courses

The Top 6 Errors Associations Make When Using Online IT Courses

By Mike Davis


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 common error is to give participants an indefinite length of time to finish a course. When someone knows that a course does not have to be completed by a certain deadline, it may become a lower priority than it should be. If a person knows that training is a requirement, and that it has be done by a specific date, a greater sense of urgency is established. Some associations have discovered that dividing courses into segments, and setting deadlines for all of the segments, is a highly efficient way to improve overall success and completion rates.

Mistake 3: Technical issues

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 If participants see too much material that is obsolete, the entire program might lose credibility.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

An easy mistake that an organization might make is to suppose that online training alone is sufficient to inform people about a complicated subject. While basic courses are sometimes completed easily, many require an instructor to complement them. An online training format may be structured to enable an instructor to assist with questions that participants might have.

Mistake 6: Lack of 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 is becoming an increasingly useful learning method for countless organizations. It is important that companies learn from the errors of others. When common mistakes are avoided, a company can use its resources efficiently. Utilizing a competent online IT training provider is also a good way to be certain that company resources are not wasted unnecessarily.




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