Increasing Need Of E-learning Courses In The Oil And Gas Industry

Training at workplace has become the most significant factor for thriving any business. Online learning reaches every industry and market as well as crosses every geography. With digitization, a plethora of industries such as oil & gas, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and retail have adopted different types of e-learning methods to train employees effectively. 

Today, oil and gas companies are facing challenges in the education, development and training of employees. So, these companies have started creating and delivering quality-driven e-learning courses to train employees on worker safety and training, business approvals and regulatory needs.

Challenges Faced by Oil and Gas Industry

It is important to understand the risks involved with working in the oil and gas industry. For example: Chemicals used in this industry may result in serious chemical burns. The drilling process exposes workers to dust and toxic substances which may cause health issues. In addition, the risk of explosion, fire and workplace accidents are often there. Because of these safety risks, it becomes imperative for organizations to train their staff and prepare them for the rigors. The oil and gas industry has embraced customized online learning courses to deliver knowledge to the employees on how to sustain good health.

Introduction to new technological developments and environmental regulations are the two major changes that have reinvented this industry domain. Because of this, it is important for organizations to adapt these changes and stay ahead of the competition. It is done by providing e-learning training to the workforce.

In the renewable energy sector, it has become important to deliver excellent training solutions. The easy-to-access e-learning courses address major industrial challenges and train staff working on rotation or offshore. Oil fields are at remote areas, so travel is common, therefore e-learning helps to deliver training content on any mobile device with web access, saving huge expenses. So, e-learning offers tailored and mobile-friendly training methods to people who work onshore and offshore.

How E-Learning Helps this Industry

Most of the organizations are leading to adapt more flexible and convenient e-learning environment. From the rig workers to the administrators, every employee in the industry can seek benefits of online learning courses. These benefits are summarized as follows:

• E-learning saves both time as content is available online and can be accessed from any mobile platform.
• Offers a competitive edge to the companies by focusing on knowledge and skills of the staff.
• Unlike classroom-based training, e-learning offers more consistency as the same training content can be used several times.
• An ability to apply new knowledge at workplace after gathering it from the training program.
• It helps to reduce costs associated with paper, travel and maintenance, decreasing the overall environmental impact on organizations.

With e-learning, oil and gasindustry has developed its bespoke training methods to engage workers and move the industry forward. Workers are timely informed about the technological advancements which help them to add more value to their career.

Implement Mobile Learning For An Effective E-Learning Experience

Mobile learning is a rapidly growing area for all types of organizations. It is the most preferred way for training modern employees and ensures that companies achieve their business objectives in a cost-effective way. The learners can access training content on their mobile device, regardless of time and location factors.

                  

Mobile learning enables the organizations to deliver e-courseware via a mobile website or a native mobile application. As a result, mLearning is increasing in popularity by the day, enabling learners to learn at their own pace.

Smartphones, iPads, and tablets have made mobile learning courses easily accessible and memorable. Mobile learning offers a plethora of advantages to allorganizations, whether small or big. Mobile learning also has the power to offer quality- proven, and technology-aided training programs, which equates to varied benefits for the learners.

Are you planning to choose a mobile-friendly learning training program? Then, you are at the right place.

Why mLearning Is Important

Mobile learning takes the learners’ knowledge to the next level. An mLearning-based training is not only about adapting technology-based content to deliver content on mobile devices, but it is also about handling ever-changing learning contexts. It is an effective approach followed by the education realm as well as training organizations worldwide.

Here are some of the benefits of mobile learning in varied industrial domains:

v Custom learning experience:

Access to e-learning courseware on varied types of mobile platforms (laptops, tablets, and so on) offers a phenomenal learning experience. Mobile learning is tuned to the needs of learners, to ensure the delivery of custom learning content.

v Ease of access:

In today’s time, accessing training content is not limited to the use of laptops and desktops. With the increasing use of mobile devices, it is possible for learners to access the content anytime and anywhere.

v Optimum use of learning apps:

With the help of advanced mobile apps, learners can access training content per their choices. Many organizations take the benefit of mobile learning to drive learning on a larger scale.

v Access to training content when offline:

After the training content is downloaded on a mobile device, learners can continue training offline. They are not bounded to access the Internet all the time.

v Facilitating Just-In-Time (JIT) support:

Mobile learning focuses on enhancing the overall learning experience of learners and delivers JIT support for optimum quality. For example: A salesperson can access information about the company’s products, services, and other updates instantly, on his tablet or iPad.

v Time-saving:

As mobile devices are always close at hand, it is easy to access the training information at any time and without any hassle. Instead of attending the entire training program, learners can extract the required nugget of content. This minimizes the time required to deliver the learning program, saving productivity costs for the company.

The basic goals of mobile Learning are to motivate learners and enhance their knowledge level. Based on every business need, mobile learning helps boost productivity, provide flexibility to access content from anywhere, save time, and control budgets.

SCORM Principals And Authoring Tools

SCORM standard is a set of identical specifications explaining to developers how Learning Management Systems must read and present eLearning courses and how they should interact.

                        

Let us look at the 5 key principals of SCORM standard which makes it the most preferred standard to create an eLearning content.

1)      Reusable- SCORM online training courses are easily reusable in any of the conditions like Apps, programs, texts etc.

2)      Durable- SCORM also safeguards the accessibility and simplification to suit all technologies without extra and just expensive updates and follow-on revision.

3)      Efficient- Software engineers are able to get the technical specifications of how to create an eLearning course.  SCORM also helps in saving time and expenses that are required for technical instruction delivery and altering eLearning content for different systems / platforms.

4)      Adaptability- eLearning software can be customized according to business with the help of SCORM standard. So, courses which are SCORM compliant can be adapted as per specific needs of the business.

5)      Interoperability- SCORM ensures the capability to use content irrespective of platform it was made for. This means shifting SCORM compliance course to another LMS or software ispossible and can easily be done at any moment. So, SCORM also ensures humble and convenient course migration.

Authoring Tools that can be implemented in SCORM Online courses:

• Adding useful features- SCORM permits addition of valuable features as directing learners to click on various elements, translating dynamic text, implementing modules such as exams, videos, and assessments. The course becomes all the more engaging, collaborating, appealing and engaging.

• Enhanced Logic- It is easy to outline the time required for completing the course, as well as specify the order of the modules. It will be insensible to place a final exam in the middle or at first. So, with SCORM authoring tools it is very easy to keep the right sequence of the course. Additionally it is possible to create a single test for each module to track results in a better way.

• Analyzing Statistics- Companies can easily track the time learners spend on each module, video, page etc. SCORM allows analyses of general statistics, failures and successes of learners. These features are particularly useful for organizations that want to integrate eLearning / HRMplatforms to educate and onboard employees.
• Data Visualization- Data visualization makes reporting process easy convenient and less time consuming. Report scheduling can also be implemented to automate the process of reporting.

SORM is an appropriate tool to make tailored made eLearning solutions for your organizational training needs and make it more efficient and effective by adding features in it.

Managed Learning Services Ensure Better Quality in Training Solutions

Learning administration services are in growing popularity for the past few years due to constricted budgets and less available resources. Businesses today identifies the importance of Learning and Development in both maximizing the potential of employees and maintaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Large number of organizations are choosing to subcontract their Learning and Development needs to professional organizations which offer Managed Learning Services. This ensures better quality in training solutions.
                         

Many organizations outsource their generic training programs while retaining their own internal training capabilities. One of the major advantage of managed learning is the cost saving that brings through procuring training more proficiently and by implementing a robust negotiation approach with managed learning service providers. It ensures high quality and effective training delivery allowing L&D teams to increase external learning expertise and focus on other areas for better evaluation of the training activities.

Some of the key benefits of Managed Learning Services are:

• Improved Organizational Productivity- An organization can focus on its core competencies if it outsources trainings to an appropriate managed service provider as it aligns their training activities with their business objectives and goals. Companies can easily monitor post training activities and measure ROI and overall impact of training on company’s culture, operations etc. with the help of learning administrator service provider.
• Reduced Training Cost- In an internal training process lot of hidden cost is involved such as content development, logistics, pre and post training activities etc. However with managed learning services, companies are able to get insights about these hidden costs and ways to reduce these costs. This gives maximum value for the training process and enables an organization to allocate training budgets for maximum number of different types of trainings.
• Good Content- Not all the organizations have subject matter experts to create eLearning content internally. Managed learning service providers have expertise in doing content makeover so that information can be converted into relevant and efficient training material. These service providers can also guide companies in creating student manuals, training manuals, assessments etc.
• Good Learning Experience- Managed Learning Service providers can support in developing new training procedures and strategies for an organization and then aligning them to the business objectives. Contracting a Managed learning Service provider for training activities also leads to an improved level of learning experience across the whole organization.

Managed Learning Services gets integrated to a higher level within an organization by conducting an in-depth analysis of the company, its operations, culture, needs etc. and suggests required training solutions to improve business performance. It also helps reviewing individual training needs and align them to the company objectives, thus formulate the whole learning strategy.

Online Learning Courses - Gaining Huge Acceptance

Online learning courses are gaining momentum continuously for organizational trainings as well as for higher education for that matter. The reasons are very obvious that online learning courses offer huge flexibility, lower stress, learning pace, independence and of course monetary benefits.

1. Flexibility :- Learners can complete the course at their own pace, this is essential for people who lead a busy life - which to be honest is everyone nowadays.
2. Lower Stress :- It doesn’t mean that online courses are easy and do not need hard work. But given the flexibility to study at your own convenience makes learners less worried and stressed.
3. Engagement :- Learners can interact with one another on the same forum. But unlike the traditional classroom setting in which the fast talker is advantaged, eLearning platform allows every student to stand on equal footing.

Certainly most of the employers are earning benefits of online learning courses for training and development.  Sometimes online learning courses are not an appropriate solution for the learner, but with huge amount of interactive games, quizzes and videos etc. that can engross a wide range of learners, makes it more preferable for learners.

E-Learning does offer certain challenges when it comes to appropriate knowledge and experience in using the technology to make effective use of online learning courses, however this challenge overcomes when companies invest in imparting relevant knowledge and skills for professional and technical enhancement of the trainers.

There is no doubt in saying that eLearning is a constructive method of imparting education as a blended approach. The growth of eLearning is estimated to be highly striving with around 50% colleges and organizations to be emphasizing on online learning by 2019, thus, making eLearning industry worth over a 100 billion industry. Considering online learning course reaching less engaged and enabling the disadvantaged to learn, surprisingly United Nations Institute for training and research reported on UNITAR’s online course on international water law. The course received 1219 applications from 115 countries out of which 82% came from developing and least developed countries. This clearly demonstrate that learners need training which is engaging and are more inclined towards online learning courses rather than traditional learning methods.

Online learning courses is a blessing to the education system offering effective and engaging trainings for the learners. It’s not immediate success and executing a blended model of delivery is not that easy; it’s not just a matter of stabbing some course on a virtual learning management system and your job is done, but it is important to do it the right way to get optimum return on investment.

Training Management Software Is The Key To Keep Learners Self-Motivated

Training management software ensures happy and enthusiastic learners along with easy training delivery and learner’s performance tracking. Training management software is one of the key secrets to keep the learners self-motivated and happy because:

1. It allows you to keep stock of the learning courses. The learners can choose the relevant course based on their skill gap analysis and professional development. If they do not get the desired courses, they might lose the motivation to learn. The organizations can also conduct surveys through structured questionnaires to know what skills they need to acquire and then assign the relevant courses based on competency mapping.
   
2. It leverages the competition as learners can get score cards based on their performance. Competition is not bad if used in a right way. A healthy competition between groups ensures that no one feels left out and motivates everyone to score better and get rewarded.
   
3. Training management software provides reward system, which is like cherry on the top. While there are lots of revolutionists to this common extrinsic motivator, sometimes rewards just work — plain and simple. It can be in the form of bonus points on a test or quiz, a night off homework — you just need to find the system that works for your organization and employees.
   
4. This software offers a feature where users can be evaluated before and after the course completion. Regular evaluations can be conducted, including written tests, multiple choice questions, assessments, among others. This allows frequent monitoring and modification of irrelevant strategies. Learners can also review their performance and work hard on their shortcomings to complete the course successfully.
   
5. Learners can access the study resources and business information at any time and place — be it home, workplace or any other spot. There can be multiple learning resources such as PDFs, videos, webinars, or any other source that increases the quality of information you need to share with the learners.
   
6. Interactivities help the learners in skill development, which in turn keeps them happy and motivated. Social interactions through different collaborative tools that allow the learners to connect with their peers, allows them to share their progress reports, and other such things.
   
7. Training management software also allows the evaluation of employee training courses and certifications. Organizations can monitor the employee skills and abilities, and provide notifications to the management on those employees who have not completed their courses.

Motivated and enthusiastic employees are assets. The advantages of Training Management software are unavoidable when it comes to the long lasting benefits such as learner’s motivation and increasing productivity.

Mobile Learning Trends 2016

The benefits of mobile learning are many. When Learning is available for the learner at all times, it creates an opportunity for ‘just-in-time’ learning. Being learner-driven, this provides a learning opportunity whenever the learner needs it the most. There are a several reasons leading towards the shift towards mobile learning, but five in particular stand out for the year 2016 making it evident that m-Learning will continue to be the driving force in the future of employee education and development.

• Global Mobility Continues To Rise: All organizations are looking forward to global growth and with this comes the opportunity for employees to travel abroad for work. But it is not advisable to send an employee to an unfamiliar location with no prior preparation. International assignments bear great costs on a business, and when lack of preparation causes stress to the employee, it often leads to poor productivity and early return.
  
  
  Training the employee to deal with vast amount of changes they may experience is crucial to the success of the assignment. They won’t have time pre-departure and during work hours to truly focus on their training, so it only makes sense to create a mobile learning program they can engage with while on the go.
• New Crop of Employees are Demanding Mobile Based Training and Development: Instead of wasting on travel and commute, mobile learning employees can spend their time more fruitfully by building skills, and attaining knowledge that helps them achieve targets. New crop of employees tend to value training over many other work perks as it opens a lot of career avenues. Most modern corporate learners choose to receive training over flexible hours, cash bonuses and even a company car. Many teams within the organizational structure, including sales teams, are mobile, and using tablets and other devices for learning is becoming very popular. If employees are demanding training, it should be accessible when and where they need to access it.
• Evolving Technologies To Be Par With: With global competition rising, having great talent on your team is now more important than ever for business survival and growth. Due to constantly changing technology, there is the continuous need to keep your employees at par with the developments so that your organization does not lag behind. By implementing an m-Learning training program, organizations can easily distribute ongoing training to keep up with the latest industry trends and new skill sets to stay ahead of the competition.
• The Need For Engaging Content: On-the-go employees like sales executives of FMCG companies or pharmaceutical sales reps aren’t receiving value from the traditional paper-based training they are currently forced to learn by cramming the information into a one-day instructor-led event. The employee doesn’t learn anything, and the company doesn’t receive the benefits of the employee knowing, understanding, and implementing the information -- which is why it's important to create learning experiences that complement the individual and make learning accessible wherever they are and whenever they have time to fully engage with the material.
• The Need For Performance Support: m-Learning and performance support makes an awesome team! Performance support is all about providing employees with the support they need, in the moment they need it, so as not to interrupt workflow. While both m-Learning and performance support extend far beyond one another in applications, the relationship between the two will continue to grow stronger as we continue heading more and more into a mobile-focused world.

The need of the day is that businesses must find solutions to meet the demands of the new employee who craves much greater flexibility and work-life balance -- and the adoption of mobile learning will provide solutions for better learning as well as better employee satisfaction.

Source and suggested further reading: forbes.com/sites/theyec/2016/04/13/five-trends-pointing-to-mobile-learning-as-the-future-of-corporate-education/#49cfa719196a