Why is eLearning Rapidly Growing in Popularity?

eLearning is a growing phenomenon, with spending globally expected to reach $51.5 billion this year from $35.6 billion in 2011. (Source: Docebo’s E-Learning Market Trends & Forecast 2014 – 2016 Report)

So why is eLearning so popular and is it really an effective way to learn?

I must admit that I was very sceptical of eLearning and have preferred to organise classroom or workplace-based training and coaching for myself and others in the past. However, in recent years, I have realised how eLearning can actually add real value for organisations and learners alike.

The benefits most people associate with eLearning when compared to conventional training are:

• The lower costs to train large groups of people
• The quicker potential pace of delivery
• The lower environmental impact due to less printing and travel for learners

None of us can argue these points, but do they really give us confidence? Yes, it is cheaper, can be done quickly and is kinder to the environment, but these three benefits are not focussed on the quality of learning. So why is eLearning growing so rapidly? Is it simply down to these three factors?

I have witnessed other benefits as I have used and seen different eLearning solutions in practice over recent years. The key benefits in addition to those above can be categorised in four ways: