Why Customized eLearning Development is Better than off-the-shelf eLearning Courseware?
Often, Learning and Development (L&D) team confront a dilemma whether to opt for ready-made eLearning courseware or to go for custom eLearning development. Both custom eLearning solution and off-the-shelf digital courseware can produce results. However, a smart decision between the two should be made on the basis of requirements, advantages, and cost analysis.
Choosing an apt learning courseware based on the requirements
Requirements of an organization can be simple, in form of general training on Microsoft Office; software; database; hardware; basic soft skills, or handling equipment, applicable to majority of the employees. Many of the topics for these can be standardized and thus, off-the-shelf digital courseware may seem to be a perfect fit. However there can be a sudden change in an organization, related to the use of software, new equipment purchased, a government directive, or updation in the existing hardware. In such scenarios, off-the-shelf digital courseware may not work as ready-made courseware may not necessarily fulfil an organization’s learning objectives. Also, it may fail to build the brand image an organization believes in and wishes to establish. In such cases, it is wise to opt for custom eLearning solutions (Indian specific market or International specific market requirement based).
Advantages of custom eLearning development over off-the-shelf digital courseware:
Customization of eLearning courseware helps to personalize the content depending on the organization’s requirements
Tailor-made eLearning content connects with the employees well, as the course is built after considering their needs.
There are many researches indicating that learners are able to resonate with the personalized learning materials, comprehensively, from all walks of life.
Custom eLearning solution (fulfilling Indian or global standards) elevates the bar of excellence for an organization.
Custom eLearning solution is easy to update and enhance as when required, whereas for updation of the off-the-shelf course, vendor may have to be involved.
Custom eLearning allows the flexibility to select the type of digital format, viz. audio, video, text, or combination of different formats, which aptly suits the user’s learning style.
Cost analysis with longer shelf-life
It is a common notion that custom eLearning development may involve high cost to develop. The answer is possibly yes. But, from the long term perspective, since the course will be used again and again, it will not only serve value for the money but it can also be upgraded later on, if required. On the other hand, initially, cost of ready-made courseware may be less, but extra licensing cost may be high. Additionally, gradually, huge cost may incur if editing or addition of content is done at a later period. Besides, there can be extra fees for subscription on per-user basis too. Custom eLearning solution (Indian or global standard specific) can be created on a tighter budget, based on the necessary needful parameters only. Above all, whether you have written down your plans on a piece of paper, ppt or even halfway completed, custom eLearning development ground-up approach can be implemented to develop smooth, efficient, and stellar eLearning course.