Four key ways to measure the benefits of your e-learning

Libby Cross, Senior Marketing Executive

No matter how much effort you put into your e-learning content, you can’t just sit back and assume it’s going to generate ROI – so how do you measure the benefits to your organisation in simple, practical ways?

Everyone in the L&D world can agree that effective training is essential to an organisation’s success, and yet, it’s something that’s often overlooked due to time or budget constraints. Quality e-learning has been proven to increase staff retention rates: just ask Jurys Inn.

Clearly then, there are measurable benefits when your e-learning fits your company – but just how do you measure them? There are a range of ways to keep on top of your e-learning benefits, based around both tech and social feedback.

Take advantage of your available learning analytics

Most LMSs will give you the power to view detailed analytics regarding your team’s performance. You can also measure how often your learners are re-accessing your e-learning, a key factor in how useful they find the content within. You can track user progress, completion times, and logins, which means you can gauge how effective your e-learning is, and tailor it to best suit your learners’ needs.

Use assessments to gauge knowledge and skills

Quizzes and assessments peppered throughout your e-learning modules are a fantastic way to monitor how well your users are grasping information. You can even monitor individual users this way, meaning you can clearly see who’s developing through the training, and who may need additional help with a particular area.

With resources created in Adapt, it’s possible to embed your assessments throughout the learning, rather than having them separated out, or as one huge test at the end of a module that could put pressure on learners. Additionally, using these assessments can be a way to assess yourself; if users are repeatedly stumbling on one section, it could be time to examine and rethink.

Observe on-the-job applications

Often, it’s a change in behaviour that’s a clear sign of your e-learning’s success. When we created a communications campaign for the City of London Corporation based around their value system, it was through their staff putting what they learned into practice that we knew the content had really hit the mark.

Make sure you know the specific goals you’re setting out to achieve before you implement your new e-learning structure; it’ll be much easier to measure how much your workplace culture has changed if you know exactly what to look for.

Ask, and you shall receive

Sometimes, finding out how effective your e-learning is can be as simple as just asking your users what they think. They’re on the front line, so it makes sense to get their uncensored opinion. Employee satisfaction is key to training success – if they don’t like what you’re offering, they just won’t use it. Users need to be engaged and motivated, so if they’re telling you that your e-learning isn’t up to scratch, it’s a huge indicator that it won’t be effective.

Make sure your e-learning is effective

To find out more about how we’ve created effective e-learning with measurable benefits for a whole host of organisations, just get in touch.