One of the great benefits of an eLearning course is the in-depth analytics you can study, which are generated by the learner’s experience within the course.
Using these pieces of data, you can look at metrics on how long it takes for a learner to complete a course, content or subjects that are frequently revisited, quiz and test scores, how often users log in and log out, and more.
The trend of advanced eLearning analytics within the training environment is only going to continue to rise in popularity as C-suite executives look for numbers and statistics that prove ROI on training costs.
So what are the key metrics you need to study so you can translate those numbers into dollars and cents for your clients? Here are just a few:
Device Identification
If users are accessing your eLearning course in a variety of locations and from a variety of devices, tools like Google Analytics can help you identify which kinds of devices are most commonly used.
With this data, you can then pinpoint how your course may need to be tweaked for mobile devices (think mLearning design) or what advanced features can be added in for future courses if most are using a desktop. This is the best possible solution for collecting data on device usage, as surveying learners can take a long time to gather.
For companies looking at ROI, a custom-made solution that fits their unique set of employees means high-quality training that works whenever and wherever it’s needed.
Spotting Roadblocks
Another way eLearning analytics offer a helpful insight is to spot when learners are stuck on a certain module or are getting consistently low scores on a particular quiz.
Finding these common roadblocks for learners means you can make course adjustments, provide a supplemental workbook for extra practice, or add in a discussion session during which learners can collaborate and troubleshoot to boost overall retention rates. Higher retention rates means fewer costly errors.
Future Efficiency
Noting what works and what doesn’t within current courses means the Instructional Designer can create stronger, more customized courses in the future. Each course will become increasingly more efficient for the organization’s trainees and will adapt to their unique needs and concerns as they relate to the material.
Too often training (especially eLearning) becomes a “set it and forget it” proposition, but gathering intel for self-improvement is an aspect we should all do more often.
What this also means for executive level leadership: More efficient courses that better train team members, thus increasing success rates within their roles. One could argue that higher retention rates ultimately mean increased profitability, because a well trained worker is more efficient, skillful, and makes fewer expensive mistakes.
Personalized Training
Finally, eLearning analytics can help personalize the learning experience for each individual learner. Back-end metrics monitor students and ensure they have the tools, resources, and practice they need to really make material stick.
For example, if a student scores low on a particular quiz, this can automatically prompt the appearance of additional resources for the student to visit within the course to ensure they properly comprehend the material. Again, this helps ensure trainees get help when and where they need it and never feel left behind.
Advanced eLearning Analytics: Powerful Learning Experiences
Because eLearning provides unique insights that many other forms of training can’t, training departments now have hard numbers they can report back to leadership that shows the value of the investment.
As budgets for training come under scrutiny, the trend of requiring more in-depth metrics for training is sure to continue.