By Geralde Vincent-Bancroft
With multiple e-learning courses available online, it can be tough to know which one is right for you. After all, with so many options, how can you be sure that you’re picking the course that will best help you achieve your goals?
But don’t worry—we’re here to help! Luckily, there are a few key criteria you can use to evaluate e-learning courses and ensure that you’re choosing the right one for your needs.
In this blog post, we’ll go over 10 things to look for when choosing an e-learning course. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to find the right course for you.
Choosing an e-learning course is a big decision. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time (and maybe even money) on this course, so you want to make sure it’s the right fit for you. Here are ten key criteria to look for when choosing one:
1. Evaluate Your Current Skill Level
The first thing you need to do when choosing an e-learning course is to evaluate your current skill level. Are you a complete beginner? Or do you already have some knowledge of the subject matter? Answering this question will help you narrow down your options and choose a course that’s appropriately challenging.
2. Set Some Learning Goals
Before you choose an e-learning course, take some time to think about what you hope to achieve by taking the course. Do you want to learn a new skill? Or expand your knowledge on a certain topic? Once you have some specific goals in mind, it will be easier for you to find a course that’s tailored towards meeting those goals.
For example, let’s say your goal is to learn Spanish so that you can communicate with your Spanish-speaking relatives. In this case, you would want to look for a Spanish language course that’s specifically designed for beginners who want to learn conversational Spanish.
On the other hand, if your goal is simply to expand your understanding of business Spanish, then you must choose a Spanish business course that would meet your needs.
3. Consider Your Learning Styles
We all learn in different ways. Some of us are visual learners who prefer to see things demonstrated in order to understand them. Others are kinesthetic learners who need to get their hands dirty in order to really learn something. And still others are auditory learners who prefer to listen to lectures or audio recordings.
Consider your own learning style when choosing an e-learning course, and make sure that the course materials will be presented in a way that’s conducive to your learning style.
4.Cost
One of the first things you’ll want to consider when choosing an e-learning course is cost. There are a lot of free options out there, but sometimes it’s worth it to pay for a course to get access to better quality content and instructors.
If cost is a major consideration for you, then make sure to only take into account courses that fall within your budget.
If you’re on a tight budget, though, don’t worry—there are still plenty of great free courses available. Just be sure to do your research before you enrol.
5. Time commitment
Another important factor to consider is how much time you’re willing to commit to your e-learning course.
Some courses are self-paced, which means you can complete them at your own pace and on your own schedule. Other courses have set start and end dates and require you to complete weekly assignments by a certain deadline. Choose what works better for your schedule and learning style.
6. Content format
When it comes to e-learning courses, there are two main content formats: text and audio/video. Text-based courses are typically heavier on reading and writing, while audio/video courses rely more on listening and speaking. Finding a course which combines both would be ideal.
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to content format—it just depends on which one you think will work better for you based on your learning style.
7. Course length
E-learning courses can vary widely in length, from a few weeks to several months (or even longer). Again, it just depends on how much time you’re willing (and able) to commit to your studies.
8. Live classes
Some e-learning courses offer live classes as part of the curriculum. These classes are typically conducted via video conferencing software like Skype or Zoom and allow you to interact with your fellow classmates and instructors in real time.
If you’re someone who likes the structure and accountability of live classes, then this may be an important factor for you in choosing an e-learning course.
9. Teacher interaction
Along similar lines, some e-learning courses offer more opportunities for teacher interaction than others. If you’re someone who learns best through one-on-one instruction or feedback, then this may be an important criteria for you in choosing a course.
10. Curriculum focus
Finally, another factor to consider is what the curriculum of the course will be focused on. Some courses are general in nature, covering a wide variety of topics related to the language you’re trying to learn.
Other courses are more specific in focus, zeroing in on topics like conversation skills, Medical . . . or even business communication or culture . It all depends on what your goals are for taking the course and what kind of material you want (and need) to cover.”
Before enrolling in an e-learning course, take some time to review the course outline. This will give you a good idea of what topics will be covered in the course as well as how much time each topic is likely to receive.
This is especially important if you have specific goals or areas of interest that you want to make sure are covered in the course material
Conclusion
Choosing an e-learning course that’s right for you doesn’t have to be complicated—just use these ten criteria as a starting point, you can find an e-learning course that not only meets your needs, but helps you succeed in your language learning goals.
Still not sure where to start? Why not book a discovery call?
It only takes about 20 minutes, and it’ll help match you with a course that’s tailored specifically for your level.”