e-Learning Blog

There are four main patterns for procuring e-learning materials.

Procurement Method.1 Purchase (buying ready-made materials)

The method of purchasing commercially available off-the-shelf e-learning materials is called "one-time purchase." Since the content is sold in a completed state, there is no customization or uniqueness. However, because it is created by professionals, the quality of the materials is considered to be above a certain standard. Additionally, a variety of materials are available, and for general topics such as business etiquette and compliance knowledge, they can be utilized across different industries.

In the case of a one-time purchase, the purchasing method will differ depending on whether your company has an LMS (Learning Management System) or not.

＞What is a Learning Management System (LMS)? - From Basic Functions to Implementation Benefits and Recommended Systems -

▶Our company has an LMS
If the standards of our company's LMS and the teaching materials match, it is possible to register and operate those materials on our company's LMS. Let's check the standards that the materials support and purchase only the materials.

▶No LMS in-house
Let's utilize distribution services (cloud services) from vendors (sales companies) that provide educational materials. There is no need for physical equipment like servers, and security management is handled by the vendor, so it is safe.

Procurement Method.2: Customize Off-the-Shelf Materials

This is a method of customizing existing teaching materials to fit the needs of your company. By integrating multiple materials or modifying case studies to reflect actual events, you can create teaching materials that match your company's objectives by adding or changing unique information. However, this may incur additional costs and take more time compared to purchasing ready-made materials.

Procurement Method.3: Customizing Teaching Materials

This is how to order custom teaching materials from a vendor. The appeal lies in the ability to create unique materials from scratch by leveraging professional support and know-how. For companies that are unsure about what type of materials are suitable or are considering converting their information resources into e-learning, it is worth considering the option of custom-made materials.

Method of Procurement.4 Create Original Teaching Materials In-House

This is a method of creating teaching materials entirely in-house. There are mainly two cases: one where all processes are carried out, and another where a "teaching material creation tool" is used, with the latter being easier. The teaching material creation tool automates the authoring process, so you only need to use materials prepared in PowerPoint or Excel. It is also possible to incorporate audio and video files.
While the advantage is that costs can be reduced by not relying on professionals, there is also a risk of ending up with teaching materials that may leave some dissatisfaction in terms of quality.

Considering each characteristic, let's choose the optimal procurement method according to our educational needs, budget, implementation speed, ease of updates, and long-term usage plans.

＞How to prepare e-learning materials? An explanation of how to obtain them and key points for creating excellent materials!

When purchasing e-learning materials outright, there are many advantages, but there are also disadvantages. I have summarized each point below.

Merits of One-Time Purchase

●High quality assured as the materials are created by professionals
Since ready-made materials are produced by specialized educational institutions or vendors, high-quality content is provided.
In the case of specialized content, some materials are supervised by experts.

●Cost can be reduced
In many cases, costs are lower compared to custom-made or customized options, and no additional payments are required once purchased.

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

●Unlimited Usage
Basically, there are no limits on the duration or number of users, allowing you to utilize the materials as much as needed. This is particularly advantageous for themes that require regular and ongoing education.

●It is possible to cover universal themes sufficiently
For universal themes that are not limited to specific industries, such as general business knowledge, manners, PC operations, and information security, it is sufficient to use only ready-made teaching materials.

Disadvantages of One-Time Purchase

●Cannot be customized
Since the off-the-shelf materials have predetermined structures and content, it is not possible to add original elements from your company. As a result, there may be deficiencies or shortages, such as a lack of specific examples that are relevant to actual business operations.

●There are aspects that do not match our company culture
Off-the-shelf teaching materials tend to focus on general content, which may not fully align with specific needs, actual operations, or our company culture.

Purchasing e-learning materials outright has many advantages, such as high cost efficiency and the provision of high-quality content. However, since it may not always match the specific needs of your company, it is important to consider carefully when implementing it.

This chapter introduces cases where one-time purchase e-learning materials are suitable.

Case 1: I want to use teaching materials with universal themes

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

Case 2: When the budget is limited or when you want to keep costs down

In the case of a one-time purchase, there is basically no additional cost after the initial purchase, which makes budget management easier. Of course, an initial investment is required, but in the long run, there are cases where total costs can be reduced.

Case 3: An e-learning system is already in place

If the existing e-learning system and materials meet the standards, they can be easily integrated into the system, allowing for a quick start to e-learning. There is no hassle or cost involved in introducing a new platform.

In this way, when a one-time purchase e-learning material matches the company's environment and needs, it can be said to be very effective in terms of cost performance and efficiency.

Having seen this far, some of you may be considering the introduction of a one-time purchase e-learning material. When actually selecting the materials, we recommend considering the following points.

Point 1: Clarify what kind of materials are needed

First, it is important to clarify what kind of e-learning you want to conduct and what materials you need. Based on these guidelines, carefully consider whether a one-time purchase is appropriate or if customization or tailor-made options would be more effective.

Point 2: Compare materials and check for cost-effectiveness

There are a variety of materials available for the same theme, so be sure to compare and consider them before making a purchase. Additionally, it is important to be aware of cost performance by considering not just the price, but also the quality and functionality of the materials. Before purchasing, try out a demo version to assess the balance between quality and price.

Point 3: Ideally, it should be customizable

There are materials available for outright purchase that can be customized to meet your company's needs. "Flexible materials" that can accommodate your unique educational policies and specific skill sets are expected to yield high learning effectiveness. Therefore, if within budget, it is recommended to choose customizable materials.

Point 4: Check Post-Purchase Support

Post-purchase support is also an important selection criterion. It is reassuring to confirm in advance the support regarding how to use the materials and the response in case of technical issues.

By keeping these points in mind, you can also prevent failures in selecting teaching materials. Let's select the most suitable materials for your company and create an effective e-learning environment.

Purchasing e-learning materials outright is an attractive option for many companies due to its cost performance and convenience. Furthermore, based on the content explained in this article, selecting the appropriate materials for your company can maximize learning effectiveness and enhance the skills of the entire organization.

Human Science offers the sale of teaching materials for companies that have already implemented e-learning systems. Since it is a one-time purchase, you can use it without worrying about the number of users or expiration dates. Additionally, in PowerPoint and Excel formats, you can freely arrange it within your company. Furthermore, the content of the materials can be converted into content and registered in your existing LMS.

For those who are considering customizing purchased materials for their own use, this is a highly cost-effective material that can be flexibly adjusted. Please consider it as one of your options for materials.

For more details, please check the e-learning site of Human Science.
＞e-Training / Educational Material Sales Service