And how does it differ from off-the-shelf eLearning?
When designing a training programme, it can be challenging to choose between generic and tailored eLearning. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key differences between these solutions, helping you make an informed decision for your organisation.
Also known as tailor-made or custom eLearning, bespoke eLearning offers more than one-size-fits-all approaches. The content is finely tuned to an organisation’s specific industry, culture, and learning objectives. This ensures that the training resonates with learners, making the educational experience more engaging and relevant. Good bespoke eLearning should be adaptable and easily accommodate changes in industry regulations, company policies, or learner feedback.
In contrast to bespoke material, off-the-shelf (OTS) eLearning refers to existing training content available for purchase and use by a wide range of organisations. OTS courses are designed using a generic approach to cater to a broad audience rather than specific organisations. As a result, OTS content is usually cheaper than bespoke alternatives and can be deployed rapidly.
OTS eLearning has one major disadvantage: the scope for customisation is limited or even non-existent. While some adjustments may be possible, generic eLearning content won’t reflect the precise needs of an organisation or how it operates. This means that readers may struggle to understand how the content applies to them.
What Is Bespoke eLearning?
Whether opting for the precision of tailored solutions, or the cost-effectiveness of off-the-shelf alternatives, each path has its merits. But which one is right for your organisation? Here are some factors to consider when making this decision.
What Is Bespoke eLearning?
Organisational Goals
The main consideration must be satisfying the requirements of your organisation. Bespoke eLearning, with its customised content and learner-centric design, becomes a strategic choice for organisations seeking a highly tailored approach that resonates with their specific industry and culture. For instance, firemen face safety challenges that people in other organisations won’t, so fire brigades choose bespoke health and safety courses developed specifically for them.
Budget
Finance always plays an important role in decision-making. Off-the-shelf eLearning usually costs less in the short-term. However, if you are training a high number of users, perhaps over several years, bespoke eLearning may end up being more cost effective. For example, you may be a large organisation that requires every employee to undertake an annual fire safety course for compliance reasons. In this case you may find that the return on investment for bespoke material is higher.
Time
Without the need to develop new material, off-the-shelf courses can usually be deployed quickly. This makes them attractive if your training need is urgent. For example, SkillSet rapidly implemented training for a client in the finance industry as they would have been fined if staff weren’t trained in accordance with industry rules very quickly.
Engagement
Bespoke eLearning can include real-world scenarios and organisation-specific information. This makes the content more relevant to the learner. If user engagement is important in obtaining the necessary learning outcome, then bespoke eLearning may be needed.
At SkillSet, we understand that a one-size-fits-all approach will rarely completely satisfy the needs of an individual client. Therefore, we offer the best of both worlds: a unique blend of bespoke and tailored off-the-shelf eLearning.
We offer a set of eLearning courses covering subjects that are important to a wide range of organisations. However, we have designed these to be rapidly and cost-effectively customised. We tailor scenarios that are relevant to our client’s users, incorporate organisation-specific information, and match the customer’s branding. This approach ensures that learners relate to the content, and retain the information.
What Is Bespoke eLearning?
There may be instances where OTS content may not be suitable to meet your specific needs. That’s why SkillSet also offers bespoke eLearning, fully customised to meet your business’s learning objectives.
Our designers work closely with subject matter experts when developing bespoke eLearning. This means that our clients have complete control over the design and content of the training from the beginning to the end.
Whether you opt for the tailored precision of bespoke eLearning, or the ready-made convenience of off-the-shelf solutions, you need to make an informed decision that aligns with your organisation’s learning and development goals.
Still finding it challenging to decide the best approach for your organisation? Fear not. Our team at SkillSet is here to guide you. Get in touch today, and one of our experienced consultants will help find the right eLearning solution for you.
SKILLSET LTD
(part of Latitude 91 Ltd)
The Square
Basing View
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG21 4EB
Tel: +44(0)1252 810 061
E: info@skillset.co.uk
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