Necessity of Strategic Alignment and Structured Learning in eLearning

The tech landscape where skills float like buoys in a fierce ocean can sink into the large water body anytime. Elaborately put, within the blink of an eye, something considered as cutting- edge and trendy will no longer be in use -- surprising isn't it?

Now, this situation can be better understood by picturing marketing professionals who like alchemists have to stir potions of SEO, put into use all kinds of social media wizardries, and ensure that content is interesting to read.

Their goal through all these endeavors is to make the website find its own place on the top listing from the abyss rankings of search results. This goal of updating themselves constantly so that they yield best productivity for upping the website ranking is possible when structured learning is part of eLearning solutions. We shall discuss this in the subsequent sessions.

Possible Hurdle Caused Owing to the Lack of Strategic Alignment and Structured Learning

Some of the major hurdles that come up when it comes to upskilling are explained hereunder:

Difficulty in Keeping Pace with Industry Changes: Industries are like big, flowing rivers -- always changing, rising, and turning. Sometimes, they are wild and other times they are calm. Now, picture this: there’s a finance analyst -- in charge of handling money work; but, suddenly, is asked to understand something called blockchain technology -- a new tech or sensation. Similarly, think that there’s a healthcare administrator, who has to handle hospital admin work. However, he is asked to figure out all kinds of telemedicine regulations. Telemedicine revolves around discussions with doctors through computers or phones.

Now, here’s the toughest part for both: stay on their surfboards by getting upskilled -- hence both strategic alignment and structured learning are missing in such scenarios.

Inconsistent Learning Experiences Across Teams/Departments: Each learner has its own learning style -- a special way to grasp knowledge and put it to good use. Think of a big company -- a huge city with multiple departments. But here’s the twist: sometimes, the sales team’s orientation (that’s like a pointer of a compass) shows a different direction than the HR team -- both departments have no knowledge of what the other does. It’s like Jake, the salesperson, is on the hunt for a hidden treasure chest while Emma, in the HR department, is out for something different. 

In such conditions, obviously, both Jake (who wants to get a strong hold on learning negotiation tricks) and Emma (trying to master conflict resolution tactics) may not have something in common to talk to each other unless a session to bring them together is held. 

Elaborately put, their training session missed strategic alignment which would have bridged the gap in communication. In other words, since no common training sessions happened between the two different departments, the two parties couldn't communicate effectively with each other to resolve a common issue related to the firm's business.

Thus, there is no connection or effort was made which could have created a chance for them to communicate. That’s where strategic alignment in learning, swoops in -- a magical bridge connecting all the neighborhoods.

Difficulty Measuring the Impact of Training Programs: Training the workforce can be equated to planting seeds in a garden. In fact, firms should look at it like an investment -- the more they put in efforts, the better results they can reap in the form of a bountiful harvest. 

To understand this, think of a situation wherein a CFO (entrusted with money management) has to think carefully about where to put in the money when it comes to training. Now, the biggest problem for him is that he wants to know if the seeds that are put in the ground (sown) are turning into sturdy oak trees or present like wilting dandelions.

Here’s where again the strategic alignment -- a special feature of the eLearning system, steps in. Reason: it provides the facility for understanding how much employees are progressing after each training session. Thus, the structured learning aspect serves as a measuring tape for assessing the learning capabilities of a team. 

Importantly, instead of making vague guesses on whether the training session was successful or not, the learning and development department gets to measure the real outcomes. They get to answers to questions such as: did productivity shoot up like a rocket or falter owing to some errors? Or did customers start smiling more, like they found a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow? 

Introduction of Strategic Alignment and Structured Learning in Elearning To Address Various Problems
Across the vast eLearning ocean, think that a grand training ship has embarked on a voyage. Smartly, to lead to a specific destination, its path is meticulously mapped out. Similarly, when strategic alignment and structured learning are included in eLearning programs, it helps to address many problems, explained hereunder, and offer multiple benefits.

Strategic Alignment: Navigating Industry Changes

More like a map with specific details, strategic alignment should be seen as a valuable aspect of virtual learning courseware. This aids to chart learning objectives and achieve them comfortably for both parties - learners as well as the firm/institute.

For instance, if exceptional customer service is the motto, then a company’s quest should center around quelling customers' grievances and doubts. In other words, key factors like showing empathy toward clients when required; solving problems with patience, and effective communication spells should be part of the eLearning learning materials.

Building Bridges with Structured Learning

Imagine a magical bridge that stretches across the whole world, connecting different lands.

Well, structured learning is a bit like that bridge -- it brings together learners from all over, explained hereunder:

The Bridge of Consistency -- More About Structured Learning:

Structured learning is like building a giant jigsaw puzzle -- precisely, a box of colorful puzzle pieces.

 Each piece fits just right, creating a beautiful picture. In this case, these pieces are like little lessons or activities. First, we learn the basics (kind of like counting numbers), and then we move on to more exciting stuff (like solving tricky math problems). It is similar to assembling a puzzle in which every piece is important!

Example -- Everyone Takes the Same Path:

Now, let’s talk about a special company with a shiny new project management tool and importantly, structured learning in eLearning is introduced. This acts like a map giving clear directions to learners where they should be heading -- similar to following a map that shows you exactly how to take turns.

Thus, everyone -- irrespective of whether they are super good at coding, amazing at marketing, or even HR heroes -- follows the same path.  They learn about project phases, explore the tool’s features, and even team up with colleagues - it’s like a secret code that everyone understands!

Measuring eLearning Impact:
Suppose that you are a gardener, and you want to know if the plants are growing well. So, smartly, you come out with a solution -- you mark numbers on a yardstick. This structured procedure helps to determine how tall your plants have grown. Well, on the same line, the impact of eLearning programs can be assessed when structured learning is implemented.

Elaborately put, when the impact of eLearning is found out, we’re like those gardeners. In other words, we are trying to work on a plan to identify the efforts required to help the workforce to upskill quickly -- part of the strategic alignment process when it comes to eLearning training. Also, it helps to understand whether the virtual programs are working or not.

Collecting Clues -- Data and Metrics
When quizzes are introduced in the eLearning programs, they help to understand how well the learners are doing. Just like to know whether a recipe is delicious or not, tasting a dish cooked by you is the ideal way. If it tastes good, it works - as simple as it is. Similarly, if learners have understood the concept or their completion is up to the mark, the structured learning plan has worked. 

Conclusion
When structured learning and strategic alignment aspects are carefully implemented in the eLearning solution, they help to create training sessions which are effective and learners benefit a lot from them immensely.

If you are keen to introduce both aspects in your eLearning programs, you can contact VK Creative Learning.