Professional Learning Ecosystems for Universities - the 3 Key Elements
March 24, 2022
Universities have a unique opportunity to market themselves as viable solutions to workforce training and professional development providers. Capitalizing on the learning needs of working professionals, universities can create right-sized courses in a digital ecosystem that reduces university expenses while promoting higher ROI. The top three priorities for universities include providing relevant, streamlined content, prioritizing quality, and integrating payment systems within the LMS.
Adult learning theories show that working professionals and adult learners prefer to gain knowledge and skills that are immediately relevant and applicable, essentially seeing an immediate return on their educational investment [1]. There are known best practices to ensure competitive and relevant eLearning materials for adult learners. Professional standards for digital learning materials must be the most important feature for offering online learning solutions. With the corporate eLearning value expected to grow by $30.09 billion by 2024 [2], it is important to keep these in mind!
An easy-to-use and critically relevant eLearning ecosystem promotes learning efficiencies, with eLearning taking 40-60% less time than traditional learning [3]. Providing content that is current, relevant, and flexible allows for employees to maximize their engagement and promotes efficient learning. Employees spend approximately 24 minutes on learning or 1% of the average workweek [3]. Maximizing learning opportunities with content that works for learners helps them consume five times more learning material for every hour of training [4].
2. Prioritizing Value for Greatest Impact
Corporations are finding that it pays to invest in employee education. The return on investment shows that in 2021, 42% of US corporations saw an income increase when investing in employee education and training. Those with comprehensive programs demonstrated a whopping 24% overall higher profit margins [5]. Furthermore, 86% of learners believe the value of their online learning exceeded their expectations based on investment [6]. Quality professional training includes engagement, skill development, satisfaction, and career impact and partners with staffing educators to properly deliver quality online development programs [7]. For universities to successfully partner with organizations to create efficient and effective online training and development, they must [7]:
Increase faculty and staff digital literacy
Promote quality assurance measures throughout online delivery
Strengthen digital infrastructure
3. Streamline Learning Access with Integrated Payment Options
Optimizing the digital ecosystem includes providing a sustainable, comprehensive platform that includes business-to-consumer (B2C) and Software as a Service (SaaS) payment options for easier course selection and payment. Online learning platforms that leverage eCommerce, advanced LMS features, learning analytics, and reporting can increase ROI by advancing the monetization of online courses [8]. A benefit of SaaS cloud-based LMS options include scalable, customizable services to meet business needs [9]. With eLearning markets expected to grow to $325 billion by 2025, ease of use through integrated monetized payment options with an LMS reduces cost, improves completion rates, and promotes learner retention [10]. Wayne State University has integrated a full Learning Community Environment that produced a near 100% retention rate and reduced administrative costs with customized, cloud-based solutions promoting workforce development for Michigan's third-largest university system; read more here:
Amesite provides online courses, programs, and certificates quickly and efficiently. With integrated payment solutions, save costs by paying for what you use and optimize scalability and customization. Amesite offers cloud-based solutions that include:
24/7 tailored customer support
Quick eLearning solutions with individualized turn-key courses in 24 hours
Meet learner needs through an engaging and intuitive LMS
Leverage instructor workload through automation and AI integrations
