Session 6: E-Learning & Challenges

E-Learning & Challenges - my Questions - Training Clinic - July 2025

What is the best E-Learning Platform? What LMS is the best?

Choosing the best e-learning platform or Learning Management System (LMS) depends on several factors, including your organization's specific needs, budget, and goals. Here's a brief overview of some popular options:

E-Learning Platforms:

  1. Udemy: A popular platform for creating and selling online courses.

  2. Coursera: Partners with top universities to offer massive open online courses (MOOCs).

  3. edX: Offers MOOCs from leading institutions worldwide.

  4. Kajabi: An all-in-one platform for creating, marketing, and selling online courses.

  5. Teachable: A user-friendly platform for creating and selling online courses.

Learning Management Systems (LMS):

  1. Moodle: A popular open-source LMS with a wide range of features and plugins.

  2. Canvas: A cloud-based LMS known for its ease of use and flexibility.

  3. Blackboard: A comprehensive LMS with advanced features and integrations.

  4. BrightBytes: A K-12 focused LMS with tools for teaching, learning, and assessment.

  5. Schoology: A cloud-based LMS designed for K-12 schools and districts.

Other notable mentions:

  1. Google Classroom: A free, web-based platform for teachers to manage classes and assignments.

  2. Microsoft Teams: A collaboration platform with built-in tools for teaching and learning.

  3. Thinkific: A popular platform for creating and selling online courses.

When choosing an e-learning platform or LMS, consider the following factors:

  1. Ease of use: How user-friendly is the platform?

  2. Customization options: Can you tailor the platform to your specific needs?

  3. Content creation tools: Are there built-in tools for creating and editing content?

  4. Integration with existing systems: Does the platform integrate with your existing LMS, CRM, or other tools?

  5. Scalability: Will the platform grow with your organization's needs?

  6. Support and community: What kind of support does the platform offer, and is there an active community of users?

  7. Cost: What are the costs associated with using the platform, including any subscription fees or licensing requirements?

Ultimately, the best e-learning platform or LMS for you will depend on your specific needs and goals. It's essential to research and compare different options before making a decision.

When should I use an E-Learning Platform in my training course?

You can use an e-learning platform in various scenarios, but here are some common situations where it makes sense:

  1. Large audience: If you need to train a large number of people, an e-learning platform is ideal for reaching everyone at the same time.

  2. Geographically dispersed teams: When your team members or students are located in different parts of the world, an e-learning platform helps bridge the distance gap.

  3. Just-in-time learning: If you need to provide training on a specific topic quickly, an e-learning platform allows learners to access the content whenever they need it.

  4. Compliance training: E-learning platforms are perfect for compliance training that requires tracking and record-keeping, such as OSHA or HIPAA training.

  5. Soft skills training: If you're teaching soft skills like communication, leadership, or time management, an e-learning platform can provide interactive and engaging content.

  6. Technical skills training: When teaching technical skills like programming, software development, or IT security, an e-learning platform can offer hands-on practice and simulations.

  7. Blended learning: If you want to combine online and offline training methods, an e-learning platform is a great way to provide pre-course work, follow-up materials, or additional resources.

  8. Self-paced learning: When learners need to learn at their own pace, an e-learning platform allows them to access the content whenever they're ready.

  9. Data repository: Collect all training materials in a LMS to offer the training course participant an easy possibility to rework the course at home and use the material for the daily work

When not to use an E-Learning Platform:

  1. Hands-on training: If your training requires hands-on practice with equipment or machinery, in-person training is usually more effective.

  2. High-touch training: When training involves a lot of personal interaction, such as counseling or coaching, face-to-face training is often better.

  3. Sensitive topics: If you're dealing with sensitive or confidential topics, in-person training may be more suitable to ensure confidentiality and build trust.

Best practices for using an E-Learning Platform:

  1. Keep it concise: Break down long courses into shorter modules or lessons.

  2. Use engaging content: Incorporate interactive elements like quizzes, games, and videos to keep learners engaged.

  3. Provide feedback: Offer regular feedback and assessment to help learners track their progress.

  4. Encourage discussion: Use online forums or discussion boards to facilitate peer-to-peer interaction and collaboration.

  5. Monitor progress: Track learner progress and adjust your training content accordingly.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively use an e-learning platform to deliver high-quality training that meets the needs of your learners.

Eight essential attributes of e-learning were defined by the trainers: (1) online, (2) open access, (3) interactive, (4) easy-to-use, (5) prerequisites, (6) measurable learning outcomes, (7) maintainable, and (8) sustainable. Why open access?

Open access is one of the essential attributes of e-learning because it ensures that learners can access the course materials without any barriers or restrictions. Here are some reasons why open access is important in e-learning:

  1. Accessibility: Open access allows learners to access the course materials from anywhere, at any time, and on any device with an internet connection.

  2. Inclusivity: By making course materials openly accessible, trainers can reach a wider audience, including those who may not have had access to traditional classroom-based training due to geographical or financial constraints.

  3. Flexibility: Open access enables learners to learn at their own pace and in their own time, which is particularly useful for those with busy schedules or conflicting commitments.

Lots of LMS platforms, such as Moodle, Blackboard, and Canvas, require users to log in before they can access course materials. This means that learners cannot enroll in courses directly, but rather need to be granted permission or receive an invitation from the instructor or administrator.

Do you have AI-related problems by using E-Learning and Certification?

Yes, there are several AI-related problems and challenges that can arise when using e-learning platforms and certification processes. Here are some examples:

  • Students use AI chatbots (like ChatGPT or Google Gemini) in another browser tab or on a separate device during online exams to instantly get answers for questions.

  • Learners use AI writing tools to generate text, essays, reports, or even code assignments, submitting work that is not their own.

  • AI-powered paraphrasers (e.g., QuillBot) are used to rewrite copied content so that it appears original and bypasses plagiarism checkers.

  • Mobile apps powered by AI (like Photomath or Socratic) solve mathematical problems or chemistry equations instantly from a photo.

  • AI-driven scripts or bots can be programmed to automatically search for and select correct answers on multiple-choice exams by scraping information from the web.

  • Learners use voice-activated AI assistants (like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant) discreetly during online assessments to obtain quick answers.

  • AI translation services are used to translate questions to another language, search for answers, and then convert correct answers back, bypassing question databases.

  • Students use AI-powered scraping tools to create underground banks or databases of exam questions and solutions, accessible for future tests.

Limited amount of quiz questions for an E-Learning test? Improvement ideas?

There are potential drawbacks to limiting the amount of quiz questions:

  1. Limited assessment: Too few questions may not provide an accurate assessment of learner knowledge.

  2. Lack of depth: A small number of questions may not cover all the important topics or learning objectives.

  3. Overemphasis on rote memorization: If there are too few questions, learners may focus more on memorizing answers rather than understanding the underlying concepts.

Improvement Ideas:

  1. Use a variety of question types: Include different types of questions, such as multiple-choice, true/false, and open-ended questions, to assess learner knowledge in various ways.

  2. Prioritize key learning objectives: Focus on the most important learning objectives and allocate more questions to those areas.

  3. Consider a tiered assessment approach: Use a combination of short quizzes or assessments throughout the course, rather than one comprehensive final quiz.

  4. Use adaptive questioning techniques: Adjust the difficulty level and content of questions based on learner performance, to provide an optimal challenge.

  5. Provide feedback and guidance: Offer learners detailed feedback and guidance after each question or section, to help them improve their understanding.

Technological Solutions:

  1. Randomization tools: Use technology to randomize questions from a larger pool, ensuring that learners receive different sets of questions.

  2. Question banks: Utilize online platforms with built-in question banks, which can be easily updated and expanded.

  3. Intelligent tutoring systems: Implement AI-powered adaptive learning systems that adjust the difficulty level and content of questions in real-time.

By implementing these ideas and solutions, you can create more effective and engaging e-learning tests that accurately assess learner knowledge while minimizing unnecessary complexity.