What Does It Take to Build an e-Learning Platform?
The E-learning business is booming and expected to generate revenues of 645 billion by 2030!
Since its advent in the 1990s, online learning has proved invaluable for people looking to expand their knowledge base and improve their skills in the comfort of their homes. But it's when Covid 19 struck that it got its big break!
With government restrictions in place, learning institutions, and companies fully embraced e-learning platforms for training and educational purposes. It is then that many realized the power of e-learning platform development, boosting its popularity even further.
In this article, we look at how to create an online learning platform, with a particular focus on the must-have features, challenges you might encounter, and their advantages.
We will also share a step-by-step guide that will take you through the process of building an e-learning platform, explaining how Scimus can help you achieve the perfect system.
What Features Should a Good eLearning Platform Have?
Critical features that any great eLearning platform should have include:
A feature that allows trainees and students to register for courses is vital. Just make sure it's an easy sign-up process to make registrations and logins straightforward.
This page displays the user’s information such as their name, picture, history, and other additional information.
This is where a user can see completed courses and those in progress as well as course duration and awarded certificates.
- Search engine with filtering capabilities
This feature allows students to quickly search for courses and other information they need.
Have various payment options to ensure users can easily make payments and get on with what they came to do.
What Challenges You Might Face?
Hurdles you might encounter when you create an online learning platform include:
- Maintaining user engagement
Leverage the power of gamification and other interactive functionalities to boost engagement.
Your system needs to be LMS compliant. It may be a complex process but operating in line with the LMS GDPR, LMS 508 Accessibility, LMS FERPA, and LMS PCI (News - Alert) compliance is the only way you are sure not to rub shoulders with the law.
5 Advantages of Your Own eLearning System
Notable benefits of having an eLearning system include:
Flexibility
Online learning platforms allow full-time working individuals to access education and skill-building opportunities without joining a physical class.
Efficiency
Through e-learning, learners, and trainees can access reading materials and related resources anywhere at any time.
People can learn at their own pace
Elearning allows people to learn at their own pace. Students with low average intellectual capability benefit the most as they have ample time to grasp concepts and will not feel intimidated by students with higher IQs.
Cost-effectiveness
While many online learning classes will attract fees, this is only a fraction of what a learner will part with if they physically attend lectures.
Addresses tutor/trainer scarcity
One tutor can teach hundreds if not thousands of students at a go, thanks to e-learning systems. The same applies to companies looking to train many employees with minimal hassle.
How to Build an E-Learning Platform Step-by-Step
If you're wondering how to build an online learning platform, here is a step-by-step guide on how to go about it.
1. Define your goals
You need to have clear goals and objectives that define how your platform will bridge a gap. Do a SWOT analysis and understand your target audience to improve the product’s chances of success.
2. Find a reputable software developer
While there are off-the-shelf sites that you can use to launch your online learning platform, hiring a custom software developer will build a bespoke platform that addresses your specific needs. Thank, to their expertise, they will share invaluable tips on how to start a platform and ensure it succeeds.
3. Designing
A software developer will help you create an aesthetically-pleasing e-learning platform design that resonates well with your audience
4. Content creation
Network and partner with tutors and education institutions to ensure you create valuable content. Remember to include visuals and catchy headlines to attract and maintain user attention.
5. Gamification
Gamify your platform through competitions and point scoring to boost user engagement rates.
In a Nutshell
The number of eLearning platforms is steadily increasing, proving they are now a crucial part of our education sector. So, if you are looking to create your own e-learning platform, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Scimus is a custom software building company with extensive experience in mobile and web applications. Our agile developers will help you build feature-rich, engaging, and highly intuitive e-learning platforms ideal for your target users.
Contact us for a free quote.