Using online learning for continuing professional development (CPD) in times of coronavirus and beyond

If you ever used videos to learn how to do something or have brushed up your skills using an app, you have experience of eLearning.

To put simply, elearning is structured learning delivered through electronic media or digital resource and, these days, it usually involves webinars, recorded videos, live virtual learning, structured content or a series of tasks and activities a student must complete.

When it comes to professional life, elearning is becoming an increasingly popular option for on-the-job training. And when compared to traditional classroom lessons, studies have shown that eLearning is just as, if not more, effective.

We must highlight, though, that elearning is not the right option for every kind of training - especially not for hands-on learning. Yet, in many situations, it offers the same quality you would get from classroom training, plus savings and additional resources for you to review at your own time.

Five benefits of eLearning

1. Flexibility

   eLearning allows you to fit in training around your day, at a time that suits you – even if you only have a spare 15 minutes, you use that time to polish up on skills.

2. Convenient location

   Because there is no need for a physical classroom for you to undertake eLearning, you can do so from anywhere that is convenient to you, whether your office, library, coffee shop or the comfort of your own home.

3. Self-paced

   You can decide how fast the learning goes, when to move on, and when to go back to something they didn’t quite understand.

4. Cost-effective

   Because there are no classroom, travel or material costs, elearning is often cheaper than face-to-face training.

5. Entertaining

   In an effort to match all learning styles, modern elearning software uses images, video, games and much more. This diversity and richness of content won’t just help learners stay engaged but could entertain them too. And we all know that learning is more effective when it’s fun.

Whether you are trying to improve your skills as a professional or boost your team’s productivity, IMechE has a wide range of elearning options to help.

Visit the Institution’s online learning portal at imeche.org/onlinelearning.