ATD, association for talent development

Professional Partner Content

The 3 Pillars of a Successful E-Learning Program

Published Wed Mar 03 2021

Loading...

Brought to you by

Content

During the last year, many learning organizations had to pivot their learning programs to adapt to the new way of learning.

During the last year, many learning organizations had to pivot their learning programs to adapt to the new way of learning.

Content

Have you invested time and energy into an e-learning program? If so, you might be wondering what makes a successful one or how you can determine whether or not a program is succeeding or failing. In this post, we’ll break down the three pillars of a successful e-learning program.

Have you invested time and energy into an e-learning program? If so, you might be wondering what makes a successful one or how you can determine whether or not a program is succeeding or failing. In this post, we’ll break down the three pillars of a successful e-learning program.

Content

Pillar One: Learner Experience

Pillar One: Learner Experience

Content

You’ve invested in an easy-to-use learning management system . It has personalized learning pathways, microlearning modules, and insights into learner strengths and weaknesses. But is it optimized?

You’ve invested in an easy-to-use learning management system. It has personalized learning pathways, microlearning modules, and insights into learner strengths and weaknesses. But is it optimized?

Content

First, ensure your learning content has been designed with the needs and expectations of the modern learner in mind. If your program is not keeping this audience at the center, you run the risk of a bad learning experience that can lead to high dropout rates and ROI left on the table.

First, ensure your learning content has been designed with the needs and expectations of the modern learner in mind. If your program is not keeping this audience at the center, you run the risk of a bad learning experience that can lead to high dropout rates and ROI left on the table.

Content

To improve the learner experience at your organization, here are three key areas to keep in mind:

To improve the learner experience at your organization, here are three key areas to keep in mind:

Content

● Make it accessible. The average American spends more than five hours a day on their mobile phone . To connect with your learners, you need to incorporate mobile learning into your learning program.

Make it accessible. The average American spends more than five hours a day on their mobile phone. To connect with your learners, you need to incorporate mobile learning into your learning program.

Content

● Make it personalized. The best programs provide a personalized experience based on each learner’s preferences and knowledge across various areas.

Make it personalized. The best programs provide a personalized experience based on each learner’s preferences and knowledge across various areas.

Content

● Make it smarter. Actionable data is key for creating a better learning experience. Real-time feedback on overall progress helps professionals spend their time wisely and keeps them motivated throughout their learning journey. Data is also crucial for your organization to make smart, informed decisions.

Make it smarter. Actionable data is key for creating a better learning experience. Real-time feedback on overall progress helps professionals spend their time wisely and keeps them motivated throughout their learning journey. Data is also crucial for your organization to make smart, informed decisions.

Content

Pillar Two: Learner Engagement

Pillar Two: Learner Engagement

Content

Imagine what an engaged learner looks like. They ask questions, complete their coursework on time, show up with a confident attitude, and come prepared on exam day. Engaged learners are present, active advocates throughout the entire learning process.

Imagine what an engaged learner looks like. They ask questions, complete their coursework on time, show up with a confident attitude, and come prepared on exam day. Engaged learners are present, active advocates throughout the entire learning process.

Content

There are many opportunities to improve learner engagement within your program, but it’s important to keep in mind that learners need more than bells and whistles to stay engaged.

There are many opportunities to improve learner engagement within your program, but it’s important to keep in mind that learners need more than bells and whistles to stay engaged.

Content

These questions can help you determine whether your program is engaging enough for the modern learner:

These questions can help you determine whether your program is engaging enough for the modern learner:

Content

● Are there opportunities for social learning?

● Are there opportunities for social learning?

Content

● Have you segmented your audience to offer relevant content?

● Have you segmented your audience to offer relevant content?

Content

● Is it personalized?

● Is it personalized?

Content

● Can your learners access the content easily or is it buried in a clunky learning portal?

● Can your learners access the content easily or is it buried in a clunky learning portal?

Content

● Have you incorporated gamification , streaks, badges, or achievements throughout your program?

● Have you incorporated gamification, streaks, badges, or achievements throughout your program?

Content

Pillar Three: Organizational Revenue

Pillar Three: Organizational Revenue

Content

Your learning and training program goal is to lead your professional learners to success that will increase their earning power during the course of their careers. But what is the goal for your learning business? We think it should be driving revenue.

Your learning and training program goal is to lead your professional learners to success that will increase their earning power during the course of their careers. But what is the goal for your learning business? We think it should be driving revenue.

Content

For many organizations, revenue is the missing ingredient from their learning program strategy. And as continued, lifelong learning becomes the standard across nearly every industry, organizations that unlock the hidden potential of their greatest asset—their learners—can transform their learning programs from cost centers to revenue drivers .

For many organizations, revenue is the missing ingredient from their learning program strategy. And as continued, lifelong learning becomes the standard across nearly every industry, organizations that unlock the hidden potential of their greatest asset—their learners—can transform their learning programs from cost centers to revenue drivers.

Content

According to HolonIQ , in 2020, the education industry spent $227 billion on digital, and they have forecasted this to grow to $404 billion by 2025. Nearly half of organizations using digital learning techniques say they’ve already seen a corresponding boost in income . CompTIA, the global leader in IT training, is among those success stories. Since unveiling its online certification renewal program, the nonprofit has seen a 20 percent increase in revenue , which is twice what it had anticipated.

According to HolonIQ, in 2020, the education industry spent $227 billion on digital, and they have forecasted this to grow to $404 billion by 2025. Nearly half of organizations using digital learning techniques say they’ve already seen a corresponding boost in income. CompTIA, the global leader in IT training, is among those success stories. Since unveiling its online certification renewal program, the nonprofit has seen a 20 percent increase in revenue, which is twice what it had anticipated.

Content

You can see similar results by optimizing your eLearning program for revenue generation. Get started by asking the questions below:

You can see similar results by optimizing your eLearning program for revenue generation. Get started by asking the questions below:

Content

● Will e-learning allow you to reach more users in new markets?

● Will e-learning allow you to reach more users in new markets?

Content

● What new, digital courses can you develop to retain current clients?

● What new, digital courses can you develop to retain current clients?

Content

● Will new learning technology decrease content creation costs?

● Will new learning technology decrease content creation costs?

Content

Putting It All Together

Putting It All Together

Content

To create programs that are good for learners and good for business, many organizations need a fresh approach to their learning strategy. By focusing on the three pillars of a successful learning program, you can be sure to reach your learning program goals. If you want a more comprehensive look at the three pillars of a successful learning program, download BenchPrep’s e-book here.

To create programs that are good for learners and good for business, many organizations need a fresh approach to their learning strategy. By focusing on the three pillars of a successful learning program, you can be sure to reach your learning program goals. If you want a more comprehensive look at the three pillars of a successful learning program, download BenchPrep’s e-book here.

You've Reached ATD Member-only Content

Become an ATD member to continue

Already a member?Sign In


Copyright © 2026 ATD

ASTD changed its name to ATD to meet the growing needs of a dynamic, global profession.

Terms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie Policy