e-Learning Blog

The main procurement methods for e-learning materials are divided into four patterns.

〈Procurement Method 1〉Purchase (buying ready-made materials)

In the method of purchasing pre-made e-learning materials that are commercially available, it is called "buy-out". Since the content is sold in a completed state, there is no customization or originality. However, since it is created by professionals, the quality of the materials is considered to be above a certain level. In addition, a variety of materials are available, and if it is a general topic such as business etiquette or compliance knowledge, it can be used regardless of industry.

When purchasing outright, the method of purchase will differ depending on whether the company has its own LMS (Learning Management System ※) or not.

＞What is a Learning Management System (LMS)? ~ From basic functions to implementation effects and recommended systems ~

▶Our company has an LMS
If the format of our company's LMS matches the format of the materials, it is possible to register and operate those materials on our company's LMS. Check the format that the materials support and only purchase those materials.

▶No LMS in our company
Let's use delivery services (cloud services) from vendors (sales companies) that provide teaching materials. It is safe because physical facilities such as servers are not required and security management is handled by the vendor.

〈Procurement Method 2〉Customizing Pre-made Materials

This is a method of customizing a part of existing materials to fit our company's needs. By integrating multiple materials and changing case studies to reflect actual events, we can create materials that match our company's objectives by adding and modifying our own information. However, this may result in additional costs and longer production times compared to purchasing pre-made materials.

〈Procurement Method 3〉Customize Teaching Materials

This is a method for ordering custom-made materials from vendors. The appeal is being able to create original materials from scratch using professional support and expertise. For companies that are unsure of what materials are suitable or are looking to turn their information resources into e-learning, it is worth considering the option of customization.

〈Procurement Method 4〉Creating Original Teaching Materials In-House

This is a method of creating teaching materials entirely in-house. There are two main methods: one is to perform all processes, and the other is to use a "teaching material creation tool", which is easier. The teaching material creation tool automatically performs authoring work, so you can use materials prepared in PowerPoint or Excel. It is also possible to embed audio and video files.
The advantage is that it can reduce costs by not relying on professionals, but there is also a risk of creating unsatisfactory teaching materials in terms of quality.

Consider each feature and choose the best procurement method based on your company's educational needs, budget, implementation speed, and ease of updates for a long-term usage plan.

＞How to Prepare for e-Learning? Explaining the Methods of Obtaining and Creating Excellent Learning Materials!

When purchasing e-learning materials outright, there are many benefits, but there are also disadvantages. We have summarized each of these below.

Benefits of Purchasing

●Quality is guaranteed as the materials are created by professionals
Pre-made materials are created by specialized educational institutions and vendors, providing high-quality content.
In the case of specialized content, there are also materials supervised by experts.

●Cost Savings
In many cases, costs are lower compared to custom-made or customized options, and once purchased, there is no need for additional payments.

●Start e-learning immediately
Since the ready-made materials are already completed, you can start e-learning immediately after purchase.

●Unlimited Usage
In general, there are no limits on the duration or number of users, so it is possible to continue using the materials as needed. This is particularly advantageous for topics that require regular and ongoing education.

●If it is a universal theme, it can be fully covered
For universal themes such as general business knowledge, etiquette, PC operation, and information security, it is possible to fully cover them with pre-made materials regardless of industry.

〈Disadvantages of Buying Outright〉

●Cannot be customized
Pre-made materials have a set structure and content, so it is not possible to add original elements from our company. As a result, there may be deficiencies or shortages such as a lack of specific examples that are relevant to actual work.

●There may be parts that do not match our company's culture
Since pre-made materials tend to cover general topics, they may not fully align with specific needs, actual tasks, or our company's culture.

Purchasing e-learning materials has many benefits, such as cost-effectiveness and the provision of high-quality content. However, it is important to carefully consider before implementing, as it may not always meet the specific needs of your company.

In this chapter, we will introduce cases where a purchased e-learning material is suitable.

〈Case.1〉I want to use teaching materials with universal themes

As mentioned above, in universal education themes, purchasing e-learning materials is very efficient. For example, business etiquette rarely changes its basic rules and principles, so once you purchase the materials, you can continue to use them for a long period of time. They are also useful for annual new employee training and regular follow-up training.

When budget is limited or cost needs to be reduced

In the case of a one-time purchase, there is the advantage of easy budget management as there are no additional costs incurred. Of course, there is an initial investment required, but in the long run, it is possible to reduce the total cost.

Already introduced e-learning system

If the existing e-learning system and teaching materials are compatible, you can easily incorporate them into the system and start e-learning easily. There is no need to introduce a new platform, which would require time and cost.

If this self-contained e-learning material is suitable for our company's environment and needs, it can be said to be very effective in terms of cost performance and efficiency.

Thank you for reading this far. You may be considering introducing our e-learning materials for purchase. When selecting materials, we recommend considering the following points.

<Point 1>Clarify what kind of teaching materials are needed

First, it is important to clarify what kind of e-learning you want to conduct and what kind of teaching materials are needed. Based on these guidelines, carefully consider whether a one-time purchase is suitable or if customization or made-to-order is more effective.

<Point 2>Compare teaching materials and check for cost-effectiveness

Be sure to thoroughly compare and consider before purchasing, as there are a variety of materials available for the same theme. Also, it is important to be conscious of the cost performance by considering not only the price, but also the quality and functionality of the materials. Before purchasing, try out a demo version to determine the balance between quality and price.

<Point 3>Customizability is ideal.

There are also customizable materials available for purchase that can be tailored to fit the needs of your company. "Flexible materials" that can accommodate your company's unique educational policies and specific skill sets can be expected to have a high learning effect. Therefore, it is recommended to choose customizable materials within your budget.

〈Point 4〉Check for post-purchase support

After-purchase support system is also an important selection criterion. It is reassuring to check in advance for support on how to use the materials and how to handle technical troubles that may occur.

By keeping these points in mind, you can prevent failures in choosing teaching materials. Select the most suitable materials for your company and set up an effective e-learning environment.

Purchasing e-learning materials can be an attractive option for many companies due to its cost-effectiveness and convenience. Furthermore, by selecting the appropriate materials for your company based on the information explained in this article, you can maximize learning effectiveness and expect overall skill improvement within the organization.

At Human Science, we offer manuscript sales of educational materials for companies that have already introduced e-learning systems. With a one-time purchase, you can use the materials without worrying about the number of users or expiration dates. In addition, since they are in Power Point or Excel format, you can freely customize them for your company. Furthermore, we can convert the content of the manuscript into a format that can be registered on your LMS for use.

For those who are thinking, "I want to customize the purchased materials for our company," this is a cost-effective material that can be adjusted flexibly. Please consider it as one of the options for materials.

Please check the e-learning site of Human Science for details.
＞e-training / teaching material sales service