e-Learning Blog

When choosing the most suitable e-learning platform for your company, it is important to first understand what type of system it is.

In business scenes, "platform" refers to the foundation for operating systems and other systems, and it means that multiple programs can operate on the same foundation.
e-learning platform (LMS: Learning Management System) can manage necessary materials for e-learning, learning progress, and trainee's performance, which are necessary for human resource development.

What is e-Learning?
"e-Learning" is a general term for educational systems that utilize IT technology, centered around personal computers and the internet.

In other words, "e-learning" includes reading materials through e-learning platforms, watching videos on video sharing sites or websites, and solving problems with dedicated learning apps. With an internet connection and available device, you can learn at your own pace regardless of time or location.

The Necessity of e-Learning Platforms
e-Learning platforms are gaining attention as a foundation for human resource development that adapts to new ways of working such as teleworking. With the declining working-age population due to the aging population, there is a shortage of human resources in various industries. Companies must consider building a workplace environment that takes into account the diversity of workers and adopting methods for human resource development.

If you use an e-learning platform, you can streamline the management of e-learning by using the progress management function to utilize accumulated data to create tests and distribute surveys. Even during teleworking, you can implement the PDCA cycle for employee education, allowing for individualized talent development based on each person's work style.

e-Learning platform has various functions besides learning management. Let's briefly introduce what kind of functions it has.

e-Learning Delivery Function
The e-Learning platform has a function to deliver e-Learning materials to learners. The following files can be delivered as materials.

●PDF Documents
●Word
●Excel
●Video Files

To distribute teaching materials, first set up a specific course and upload the files to be used as teaching materials. It is also possible to embed the URL of video content published on an external site in link format.

In addition, many e-learning platforms can be comfortably used on smartphones. Learners can directly view and watch materials delivered from the system, making it convenient for learning materials that require regular updates, such as those related to laws.
It is also possible to create an environment where materials and documents can be downloaded. Consider the delivery style that suits your purpose, taking into account the learning content, frequency of material updates, and the devices used by learners.

Learner Information Management and Learning Progress Management
In the e-learning platform, you can manage the registration information and learning progress of learners. The information of learners includes their name, department, email address, employee number, etc., and you can set the items to be registered according to the purpose. When registering a large number of information at once, it is convenient to use a CSV file. Therefore, the import function of CSV files in the e-learning platform may be a key point.

In addition, with a customizable platform that includes icon display based on the progress level of learning, it becomes easier to streamline management tasks and improve visibility. Furthermore, with improved management, more time can be dedicated to supporting learners and conducting appropriate evaluation activities.

Test and Survey Function
On the e-learning platform, you can create tests tailored to the understanding of the learners and conduct surveys to confirm their learning progress. As for the learners' understanding of the material, it can be grasped through daily assignments and reports, allowing for individualized test creation.

By analyzing data recorded from learning activities, we can also provide courses tailored to the learners, ensuring that they are properly engaged in their assignments. Even if a learner drops out of the course, we can conduct surveys and work closely with them to address any issues.

Group Training Management
The Group Training Management function allows for centralized management of tasks necessary for training management, such as participant registration and distribution of materials. When conducting group training, the following tasks can be managed consistently.

●Participant Application from Attendees
●Attendance Management of Participants
●Distribution of Materials
●Issuance of Completion Certificates

Training curriculum can be divided into courses according to the target audience and objectives, making it easier to manage progress.

Organizational Management
In the e-learning platform, you can register learners by hierarchy. By setting up an organizational chart using this registration method, it will be useful for extracting learners by department or division.

If you set it up so that the registered department of the participant is reflected, the administration side does not need to manually set it. You can extract the target person at the timing when training is necessary, and execute the entire organization's human resource development curriculum from the announcement of the training to the implementation and testing.

Social Function
Some e-learning platforms also have communication functions similar to a dedicated SNS for learners. Unlike general SNS such as X (Twitter) and Facebook, you can also create threads according to tasks and objectives. Learners can create an interactive learning style by sharing their knowledge with each other.

Social functions can also be used by instructors, making it possible to confirm and guide students' questions. It can also help solve common e-learning challenges such as "student isolation" and "lack of communication."

Learn more about the world standard LMS "Moodle" for efficient e-learning. We explain the basic operations and case studies below. Please take a look.
＞ [Moodle Basic Course] What can Moodle, the e-learning management system, do?

e-learning platforms can be classified into "on-premises" and "cloud-based" depending on the implementation method. We recommend considering an e-learning platform that suits your company's environment, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of each.

On-premise type
"On-premise type" is a method of installing and operating an e-learning platform system on one's own server. This is a traditional system installation method that has been used for many IT tools and system introductions.
The advantages and disadvantages are as follows.

・Benefits
●Customizable
●Enhance security measures
●Specialized in in-house development

"On-premise" is a system that allows companies to build their own servers and customize them to fit their needs. It also allows for restrictions on usage within the company's own network, making it possible to create a highly secure environment.

Maintenance and operation can be done in-house, so if resources can be secured for operation and development, it can be considered a beneficial implementation method.

・Disadvantages
●Cost of owning a dedicated server
●Cost and time for development and operation
●VPN setup required for external access

The disadvantage of on-premise type is that it takes time to actually operate because system development is required. In addition, personnel expenses and server maintenance costs are also required for system construction.

Regular maintenance and system updates are also necessary, so securing a budget and resources is necessary for implementation.

In addition, in order to access our company server from outside, it is also necessary to establish a dedicated line such as a VPN for security reasons. Especially when implementing e-learning for employees during teleworking, it is important to consider setting up a VPN connection.

Cloud-based
A "cloud-based" e-learning platform is a method of using a virtual environment on the cloud through an internet connection, rather than physical servers. "Cloud-based" has been introduced in various systems and services in recent years. Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of "cloud-based".

・Benefits
●Lower initial costs
●No need to build systems in-house
●No maintenance required

"Cloud-based" eliminates the need for companies to install servers, allowing for a low initial cost and a quick start. The cost at the time of introduction is predetermined and there is no need for design or development costs. In addition, maintenance is handled by the company providing the service, reducing the time and cost of development and operation.

・Disadvantages
●Difficult to customize
●Requires enhanced security measures
●Ongoing costs during operation

The disadvantage of cloud-based systems is that there are limitations on the extent to which they can be customized. In some cases, it may be difficult to achieve the company's own unique preferences, such as how learning content is presented or how data is collected.

In addition, "cloud-based" is generally in a state of being constantly connected to the internet. Since the storage location of the teaching materials is also a cloud server, there is a relatively high risk of cyber attacks and information leaks. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen security measures.

There are also disadvantages to consider in the long-term operation. In the case of cloud-based systems, there will always be monthly or yearly fees. Therefore, operational costs will continue to accrue. Additionally, depending on the scale of implementation, the pricing plan may differ and become more expensive as the scale increases. Even if costs can be reduced initially, it is important to be cautious as there is a possibility of exceeding the budget in the long run.

By utilizing e-learning platforms, it is possible to create a system where employees actively engage in learning.

Real-time progress check available
Let's consider a case where we conduct study sessions for in-house training and qualification acquisition for employees scattered throughout the country.
If we manage it manually or on paper, there may be a time difference in submission dates, but with an e-learning platform, we can check the progress of learners in real time.

If the goal of the study session is to obtain a qualification, it is necessary to improve the learning level of the participants to the qualification line by the exam date. In such a case, if there are any unattended units during the progress check, it is possible to encourage learning by sending confirmation comments to the corresponding employees.

Tests can be conducted based on learning progress and strengths and weaknesses of learners
In e-learning platforms, AI can grasp individual learning data in numerical form, such as the learner's learning level and strengths and weaknesses of each unit. In addition, tests can be conducted based on the learner's learning level.

By understanding their own level of understanding, participants can easily set milestones to achieve their goals. Based on the results of the test, they can actively work on genres they are not good at, which can also help to motivate them.

Useful for individual training and follow-up
There are individual differences in understanding ability. If you leave questions and uncertainties as they are, the differences will only widen. Also, some students may not be motivated to study on their own. However, it takes a lot of effort and time to individually support each learner.

In e-learning platforms, individual learning progress can be managed, making it possible to utilize individual training according to the learning level. By regularly interacting with learners through social functions, you can quickly provide support when needed.

Improved Understanding and Learning Effectiveness
Some e-learning platforms also allow for the addition of subtitles to video content, making it easier to understand. Additionally, the playback speed can be adjusted, allowing for the benefit of being able to repeat learning at one's own pace.

Repetitive learning helps to solidify memory. Additionally, e-learning platforms allow learners to confirm the results of repetitive learning, which promotes their motivation to learn by becoming aware of their own deepening understanding.

Maintaining Learner Motivation
Maintaining motivation is one of the important elements when it comes to continuing learning. e-learning has the disadvantage of being difficult to maintain motivation because learners work on tasks alone.

The e-learning platform allows learners to understand their current level of learning, including progress and strengths and weaknesses in different genres. Additionally, after completing the learning, there are functions such as presenting a certificate of completion and a ranking system to demonstrate the results of the learning, which can be used to improve learner motivation.

In addition, as the difficulty of learning increases, there are also learners who stop learning. In such cases, it is possible to use social functions to reach out or conduct individual tests as a response.

An e-learning platform, also known as an "LMS (Learning Management System)", is a system that has functions to streamline the necessary tasks for personnel development. There are two types: "on-premises" and "cloud-based", each with different cost breakdowns and development/operation methods.

If you are considering introducing an e-learning platform, we recommend consulting with a vendor who has expertise in order to select a service that is suitable for your company's environment and resources.

Human Science is an official partner of LMS 'Moodle'
At Human Science, we provide implementation and operation support as an official partner of 'Moodle', an open source software developed in Australia that supports 246 countries and 120 languages. Since the license fee is free, it can flexibly respond to changes in the number of learners.

We also offer e-learning material production and translation services, and can assist in creating educational curriculums for global talent development.
For more information on each service, please see below.

＞ Moodle Implementation Support and Operation
＞ e-Learning Material Production
＞ e-Learning Material Translation (Multilingual Support, Localization)

Introduction of Achievements | Tokyo University of Science
Human Science has a lot of experience in supporting the introduction of "Moodle" at domestic universities. Here, let us introduce the support for the introduction to Tokyo University of Science.

・Realized a significant reduction in inquiry response time
Tokyo University of Science has been using "Moodle" since 2011, but due to a shortage of resources for responding to inquiries from instructors who are using it for the first time, they consulted us for help desk support.
●Reduced number of inquiries
●Usage seminars
●Improvement and translation of manuals
●Creation of video manuals
As a result of providing Moodle operation support, the response time to inquiries has been reduced by 1/10, greatly reducing the burden.

Tokyo University of Science's case is introduced in detail in the following article. Please take a look.
＞ Case Study: "Reducing Inquiry Response Time by 90% with Moodle Help Desk Support and Manual Creation for Faculty"

In recent years, e-learning platforms have been gaining attention as a learning method that can adapt to new ways of working. They can help solve the challenges of talent development through teleworking and improve work efficiency.
At Human Science, we offer Moodle implementation and operation support services as an official Moodle partner. We also provide one-stop support for your talent development, from e-learning material creation to translation.
For inquiries about employee education and e-learning, please feel free to contact us using the information below.

＞ Contact us here