2 minute read
Viewpoint Why online learning is here to stay
Is online training just a product of the pandemic?
James Carter discusses the three reasons eLearning is here to stay
For trainee accountants, the past few years have seen an increase in online training. Modules were hosted online due to the pandemic, and educators and students alike had to adjust to the new format. But now, more than two years on, where does eLearning fit into the trainee accountant’s qualification journey? Was online training just a temporary shift, or is it here to stay?
Getting to grips
At the onset of the pandemic, many educators were reluctant to move to training online. In-person training was believed to offer a fuller experience that ensured better student engagement and greater support from tutors. However, from analysis of completed modules and feedback from tutors and students, it appears that delivering training online does bring benefits of its own. And now that educators have had the time to make greater use of online platforms and understand how to use them, we expect online learning to remain a useful tool in the accountancy qualification toolbox.
Whenever, wherever
When you considered your working environment a few years ago, flexibility may not have immediately sprang to mind. The need to be in an office at specified times seemed unavoidable – but the pandemic changed all that. Now, all you need is an internet connection and you’re ready to go. It’s the same with online training. You can pick up your learning anywhere, anytime as long as you have an internet connection. This increased flexibility and ease is a consideration for educators looking to take online learning into the future, along with the ability to support user engagement and tutor support.
Everybody’s learning
You aren’t the only one learning from your modules – your training providers are continually analysing how you are working with online platforms to create learning that is optimised for online delivery. This involves large quantities of data, which goes hand-in-hand with online learning. The data sets created through online platforms are incredibly detailed and valuable for training providers, allowing them to unlock new insights and improve the learning material. As data becomes more crucial for business growth, this aspect of online learning platforms is going to be absolutely essential for training organisations, cementing these systems as a part of accountancy training for years to come.
So is online learning going anywhere?
Online platforms for training and assessment have developed more rapidly since the onset of the pandemic, as has the design of learning material specifically aimed at online delivery. And they aren’t stopping – we’re always adding new features to our online platform, Rogo, to make the delivery of learning and assessments easier for our students, candidates and tutors.
• To find out how Rogo can futureproof your eLearning strategies visit www.getrogo.com
YOUR WELLBEING HUB
Maintaining a positive mindset while studying can be challenging. Our wellbeing hub provides a range of resources and podcasts from our wellbeing ambassador to help support you throughout your ACCA journey.
