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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

The 6 Most Common Mistakes Businesses Make While Utilizing Online IT Courses

By Kenneth Harris


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 top mistakes that a company can make is assuming that individuals will participate in a course that is available. In fact, there may be various reasons why certain online IT courses are not effective after being implemented. Unless training is required, there could be a wide range of factors that inhibit people from enrolling in it and staying 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 If participants see too much material that is obsolete, the entire program might lose credibility.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

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 essential tool for a great number of associations. It is helpful for companies to learn from the mistakes of others. When common mistakes can be avoided, an association can make the most of available resources, instead of unnecessarily wasting them. Using an experienced online IT training provider is another good way to be sure that valuable resources are maximized.




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