The reality behind the myths about e-Learning 

There's much interest in e-learning these days, but does it work?  What does genuine e-Learning look like, and what does it deliver?

Table of Contents

• 'Live online training' and 'The Virtual Classroom' - not e-Learning
• 'On Demand Lectures' - not e-Learning
• Genuine e-Learning is different
• What to Expect from a Modern e-Learning Course
• Why L&D Executives like us
• Why our Learners (Students) like us

What should you expect from a well-designed, well-developed, and well-delivered e-Learning Course? e-Learning had a bad reputation -- and it was mostly justified. Let's take some recent headline offerings ...

'Live online training' and 'The Virtual Classroom'

Here, we have a standard lecture where a camera is turned on with live streaming.  There is no opportunity to ask questions or opportunity to review. It is very dull, with no learner engagement. We don't consider this to be e-learning.

'On Demand Lectures'

It is the same as Live Online Training, except that they recorded it this time.  The lack of variety in content can be very boring. Again, there is no learner engagement. We don't consider this to be e-learning either.

Genuine e-Learning is different

Today's online e-learning courses are usually a match for, and in some ways even superior to, conventional training. One of the main reasons for this is that they can consistently deliver high-quality lessons without being dependent on a presenter or tutor. Advances in technology have allowed e-learning to grow by leaps and bounds. We will examine e-learning features in this article, which we hope will enable you to identify 'the genuine article' regarding online training.

In designing and developing our online auditor training courses, we extensively researched the strengths and weaknesses of e-learning and considered the modern understanding of Adult Education.

Whether internal auditor or lead auditor training was involved, we set out to produce attractive and engaging courses suited to the adult learner. Definitely not the traditional classroom, instructor-led approach - instead of an approach where knowledge and skills are built up, layer upon layer, almost without the Learner being consciously aware of the process.

deGRANDSON'S Four-Tier Approach to Online ISO Auditor Training

The image below illustrates deGRANDSON's approach when facilitating online ISO auditor training. 

Tier 1: the Lesson

Here, you are provided with the facts, processes, and procedures included in the Lesson.

Tier 2: the Frequently Asked Questions

In this Tier, you will find many 'what-if' questions to reinforce what you have learned by exploring its practical application.

Tier 3: the Quiz

This Tier further deepens your knowledge of the Lesson by posing a series of questions to challenge your understanding of its content.

Tier 4: Scenarios

In this final Tier, you will learn to apply the skills and knowledge you gained in the preceding three tiers.  The many short- and long-term scenarios presented are unique to e-learning with deGRANDSON Global and help bridge the void between theory learned in a classroom-like situation and the practice and challenge of face-to-face auditing.

Click on the image to visit our Knowledge Base for answers to frequently asked questions.

What to Expect from a Modern e-Learning Course

Before proceeding to our list of reasons why our e-learning system works, we need to state some critical assumptions that are true for all of our online ISO Auditor Training Courses.

These are that...

1. e-Learning courses are well-designed, developed, and delivered having regard to the needs of adult learners.
2. Courses are designed for delivery over a wide variety of operating systems and computing devices.
3. Courses are delivered via a modern learning management system (LMS), which keeps detailed records of the learners' progress and results and can also provide instruction over a wide variety of operating systems and computing devices.
   
   

Why L&D Executives like us

Start training your Auditors today!   

Self-paced learning: Fit the Course around your busy schedule. Complete the Course as time allows. Study anywhere/anytime you have broadband access—at work, at home, and while traveling (with Wi-Fi).

Delivery at a time and place of your choosing. Our courses can be delivered in a formal training environment or taken as self-study courses as and when time and other resources allow.

Accessible worldwide on the Internet

Platform–independent: Any Windows or Apple OS on any PC Workstation or other desktop, notebook, tablet, or other handheld device with access to the Internet can access all features.

In-company Courses with no minimum number of learners     

A deterrent to running in-company courses is that it is often difficult to find a sufficient number of Learners to justify the cost. No problem! Just use your Training Room with a minimum of one Learner (see item 3)

Use in a Training Room environment

In any training room with internet access, you can enjoy the benefits of a disciplined approach – set a schedule to ensure learners devote uninterrupted, quality time to their auditor training.

Courses published in HTML5 formats and presented in a browser.: During a Lesson, you can switch from one device to another. 

Say you start a Lesson on your PC at work.  You can continue the Lesson from where you stopped, on a tablet device on the bus or train home, and then finish it on your Notebook after dinner.

Courses delivered through established LMS service       

No software installation is needed: You can log into your Course on any internet browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.).  So anytime, anywhere, when you have some quiet time, you can use your PC, Notebook, Tablet, or similar device to continue your e-learning course.

We use an award-winning LMS service to deliver our courses for uninterrupted availability worldwide and a glitch-three service.

Integrate into your own LMS 

Using the expertise of Inquisiq, our LMS service, we can integrate our Courses into your LMS and incorporate your course credit system, logo, etc., if you wish.

Experiential learning-based Courses

Adults learn best by experiencing and understanding the significance of what they are learning. 

This is the approach we use for all our Courses. Dozens of scenarios in each Course allow the Learner to participate in 'r'al' 'udits.

Experienced auditors will tell you that it is only by practicing your audit skills that you really understand how to interpret and apply StStandard's requirements.

Multi-layered approach: The Learner builds up their knowledge and skills progressively, layer upon layer, as they go through the Course—a more rewarding experience for the effort put in.

And these audit experiences are built into our Courses.

Scalable Certification     

Extend the Grade (Internal Auditor to Lead Auditor) and/or Scope (for example, add ISO 13485 and ISO 27001 Standards) as and when you need them.

No Expiry Date    

The validity of our Certificates is not limited.  Auditor competency is not based on Certificates alone.  Auditing is a practical skill and a practice that builds and maintains competency.

Certificates go out of date periodically when standards change.  Here, we offer Conversion Courses and then re-issue Certificates for the new or revised Standard.

Inexpensive

At a fraction of conventional course cost, savings of up to 60% are common when travel and accommodation costs are considered. Additionally, there is a reduction in work time loss.

No examination charges: All of our courses incorporate certification examinations. There is no additional charge involved.

Certificates are available for printing instantly upon successfully completing the examinations.

Corporate Discounts      

Discounts of up to 25% are available.

Have you tried our CourseFinder Tool?

Why our Learners (Students) like us

Self-paced learning         

Fit the Course around your busy schedule

Complete the Course as time allows

Study anywhere/anytime you have broadband access – at work, at home, and while traveling (with Wi-fi)

24/7 Tutor Support

You'll never get stuck in a Lesson. We provide expert support free-of-charge.

Inexpensive

 At a fraction of conventional course cost, ISO Auditor Certification is a significant boost to your Resume/CV.

No travel and accommodation expenses

Use in a Training Room environment  

In any training room with internet access, you can enjoy the benefits of a disciplined approach – set a schedule to ensure learners devote uninterrupted, quality time to their auditor training.

Certification (individuals)          

In job transition? Differentiate yourself in a competitive job market.

Get immediate results regarding job promotions, higher salaries, and new job opportunities.

Invest in your career/expertise and demand 'top dollar.'

'arn a promotion.

Achieve increased proficiency.

Demonstrate professional and personal accomplishments.

Certification (employers)         

Employees perfect and share new techniques and emerging technologies with their peers.

Certification is an investment in the organization's future that will be repaid over and over.

Knowledgeable employees assure product and service quality.

Certified employees indicate organizational excellence.

Certification (Certification Bodies)    

Objective evidence of aptitude, expertise, and skills of candidate auditors

Compliance with the requirements of ISO 17021:2015

Just add auditing experience to demonstrate complete competence

Avoid unnecessary training costs

Web-based Product – platform-independent        

Accessible worldwide on the Internet

Platform–independent: Any Windows or Apple OS on any PC Workstation or other desktop, notebook, tablet, or other handheld device with access to the Internet can access all features.

Scalable Certification     

Extend the Grade (Internal Auditor to Lead Auditor) and/or Scope (for example, add ISO 45001 to ISO 27001 Standards) as and when you need them.

Extension Courses          

Do you need to add new Standards to your skillset? With e-learning, you have options you can customize to suit your individual needs.

There is no need to take full standard courses that likely include much you don't need to know or already know.

Re-Certification Courses

As and when new versions of the Standards covered by your Scope are published, we will offer you an upgrade Conversion Course and, upon successful completion, an Auditor Certificate against the new Standard.

The Scenarios       

Not practical with conventional courses - no time.

Dozens of scenarios allow you to participate in 'real' audits.

Experienced auditors will tell you that it is only by practicing your audit skills that you really understand how to interpret and apply the Standard's requirements.

And here, these audit experiences are built into your Course.

No software installation is needed.        

The need to download software has been an IT Security concern with other providers.  But not with deGRANDSON Global.

You can log into your Course on any internet browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc.).  And so anytime, anywhere, when you have some quiet time, you can use your PC, Notebook, Tablet, or similar device to continue your e-learning course.

Courses delivered in your browser for total flexibility  

During a Lesson, you can switch from one device to another. 

Say you start a Lesson on your PC at work.  You can continue the Lesson from where you stopped on a tablet device on the bus or train home and then finish it on your Notebook after dinner. 

30 plus Lessons per Course      

Compact lesson sizes (typically 15 to 30 minutes) minimize download size for speedier service, even if you have poor broadband speeds.

Variety of Payment Options, including installment payments   

All financial transactions are processed through PayPal – credit and debit cards as well as PayPal accounts – for total security.  Only the PayPal service knows your financial details

We also accept payment via Stripe, SEPA, and other popular payment methods.

Payment in four installments is available for most Courses.

Experiential learning      

Adults learn best by experiencing and understanding the significance of what they are learning. We use this approach for all of our Courses.

Multi-layered approach 

As you go through the Course, you progressively build up your knowledge and skills, layer upon layer. This is a more rewarding experience for the effort you put in.

Plenty of practical exercises    

With many scenarios and opportunities to generate findings and professionally write non-conformance/ non-compliance reports, you will gain practical experience in applying the skills and knowledge you have acquired.

Connected to Facebook and LinkedIn          

See what others say about our courses on our social media sites.

Courses delivered through established LMS service       

We use an award-winning LMS service to deliver our courses for uninterrupted availability worldwide.

e-Learning is now mature         

Learning from the challenges that early students of our e-learning courses have encountered has allowed us to refine our structure and content to a much higher professional standard.

Delivery at a time and place of your choosing       

Our courses can be delivered in a formal training environment (your company training room) or taken as self-study courses as and when time and other resources allow.

No examination charges

This applies to all of our courses that incorporate certification examinations, as all Courses include two attempts at each Module Examination. There is no additional charge for your Certificate either.

No examination deadlines        

You don't have to wait for fixed examination dates.

Take the exams at the end of each course module.

Get your Certificate immediately upon successful completion – No Waiting!

 

Click on the image above to see it full size, or click the button on the other side to go to our ISO auditor overview page and learn more about our courses.

Related Articles

• How deGRANDSON's Learning Management System works
• deGRANDSON is a world-class ISO 21001-certified Educational Organization
• Learning with deGRANDSON: FAQs Directory

deGRANDSON Global is an ISO Certified Educational Organization

We have chosen ISO 21001 certification because, unlike IRCA and Exemplar badges (which, in our opinion, are commercially compromised), it is based on independent third-party assessment.  It is a ‘u'iversity grade’ 'tandard globally by schools, colleges, and universities to demonstrate competence.