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Digital Learning

The best Learning and Development software tools explored

A wide range of learning and development software, tools, and platforms are available to help organisations deliver effective training and development programs. But which are the best choice for your business?

6 minutes

Written by Stuart Jones - Head of Product.

Updated 21/03/2023

In this article we will explore the following areas:

Learning tools to help your business
Considerations When Selecting Learning Software
Key Factors to Consider When Evaluating Learning Software Providers

Investing in employee training and development has become more important than ever.

In their September 2022 report, the CIPD found that 60% of businesses surveyed found talent is more difficult to retain compared with a year ago and 38% of the organisations are increasing their efforts to meet talent requirements by in-house development.

At a time when the Great Resignation is continuing to send shockwaves around the world, now is the time to make staff feel valued, engaged and like they don’t need to move elsewhere to progress.

Top reasons for quitting (Apr 2021—Apr 2022)

41% – Lack of career development

The Great Attrition Report, McKinsey

To fulfil essential compliance training and health and safety training to more personalised learning and career development needs, there is no shortage of learning software options to choose from.

With so many different options available however, it can be challenging for businesses to identify which learning tools are best suited to their unique needs.

"Selecting and implementing the right digital learning solution is becoming increasingly complex, as there are more options than ever before, as well as a wider range of options that require different levels of budget, resource and expertise."

Fosway Group

In this piece, we will provide an overview of different types of learning and development software, tools, and platforms available, to help you consider which are the best options for you.

By having an overview of each, we hope to provide readers with the information they need to make informed decisions when further researching the learning tools that will be best for their organisation.

Learning tools to help your business

More about our LMS

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

A centralised platform for managing and delivering e-learning content across your business
Create and implement blended, tailored training pathways for specific teams, roles and purposes
Set completion deadlines
Track and report on both employee level and organisational level progress and performance
Validate and target learning with assessments
Uses automation for accurate and time saving administration
At Access we have a fully comprehensive LMS, with options suitable for all business sizes

Virtual Classroom Software

Provides live, instructor-led training sessions online
Enables interaction with the instructor
Often also available as recorded sessions
Can be used for both synchronous and asynchronous training
Access Self Directed Learning has Virtual Classrooms

eLearning Content Libraries

Pre-made e-learning content that can be purchased or licensed
Covers a wide range of topics, from compliance training to leadership development
Usually created with subject matter experts
Saves considerable time, resources and risks compared to creating content from scratch
Some eLearning content, such as the full library of Access eLearning courses is CPD accredited

Learning Experience Platforms (LXP)

Focuses on learner engagement and personalisation
Provides curated content, recommendations, and social learning features
Can be used as a standalone platform or part of a comprehensive solution such as Access Learning

Personalised Learning Platforms

Focuses on employee personal development and continuous improvement
Provides highly personalised learning plans and professional development for each individual
Offers a range of learning choices from videos to downloadable resources
Managers can use analytics to help identify organizational learning needs
Access Personalised Learning includes all of these features and more

Skills Assessment and Gap Analysis

Allows organisations to assess their employees' current skill levels and identify areas for development
Provides personalised recommendations for training and learning paths
At Access we have training assessment tools within our Learning Management System and personal skills assessments in our personalised learning solution

AI powered feedback tools

Utilising Artificial Intelligence to provide the direct, specific feedback to individuals at scale, as you would expect from a 1-1 career coach
CV scanner with AI feedback, providing direction on improving the user’s CV
AI-powered interview training to help users optimise their interview performance
At Access we have CV360 and Interview360 Ai tools in our Personalised Learning solution

Self-directed Learning Platforms

Allows employees to take ownership of their own learning and development
Provides access to a range of on-demand content, including e-books, podcasts, and videos
Offers personalised recommendations based on employee interests and learning history
The interface is private to each end user
At Access we have Self Directed Learning powered by Bookboon

CPD tracking Tool

Tracks professional development activities over time
Provides a record of CPD activity
Includes reminders and notifications to stay on track
Provides insights and analytics on progress for reporting purposes
At Access we have CPD tracking capabilities in both our LMS and Personalised Learning

eLearning Content Creator Tool

Easily build content from scratch
Tailor eLearning courses to meet your needs
Can be used to create interactive, multimedia-rich content
No programming experience required
This sort of tool is usually part of an LMS, like the Access eCreator

Gamified Learning Solutions

Can be available as an integrated part of an LMS system or a standalone app
Turns organisational content into a digital game
Adds game-like features such as point scoring, problem-solving and rewards
At Access, Gamebrain is our gamified learning solution

Mobile Learning App

Mobile Application for learning on any device
Gives your people the freedom to learn wherever and whenever works for them
Easy intuitive interface
At Access our Mobile App is part of our Managed Learning offering, in our Learning Management System

"New technologies are rapidly changing the nature of learning and development. Whether it's microlearning, social learning, gamification or artificial intelligence, it's important that organisations choose the right tools and platforms to support their learning strategies. This means considering how technology can enable more agile and personalised learning experiences that can engage and empower learners in new ways."

David Perring Director of Research, Fosway Group

Considerations When Selecting Learning Software

When selecting learning and development software for your business, there are several factors to consider.

Here are some key considerations:

Identify your training goals and the specific features and functionality that you need
Consider your budget and the level of support that the software provider offers
Look for software that is user-friendly and integrates well with your existing systems, such as those for HR
Consider selecting tools that work together or compliment each other – they may well bring greater benefit than the sum of their parts.

By selecting the learning tools that meet both your business's and employees' needs, you can support ongoing professional development and promote a culture of learning and growth within your organisation.

Key Factors to Consider When Evaluating Learning Software Providers

When evaluating potential learning software providers, it's important to consider not just the features and functionality of one specific platform, but also the breadth and depth of their offering.
Look for providers that can cover a wide range of L&D requirements, through a range of learning tools, and from basic compliance training to advanced skill-building and professional development programs.
A provider with a comprehensive offering will be better equipped to meet your organisation's evolving training needs, whether that means providing additional courses or the ability for you to create customised content specific to your business.
Additionally, choosing a provider with a strong reputation for quality and reliability can provide peace of mind and ensure that your investment in learning and development pays off.

Access Learning – for all your employee learning and development needs

Access Learning provides digital learning solutions across the full breadth and depth of business learning needs, with options for all business sizes and industries.

Managed Learning

Our Managed Learning offering includes the means to provide, track and manage all compulsory training around compliance, cybersecurity, health and safety and any other course that you need your employees to complete, such as Mental Health and Wellbeing. Our Learning Management System and eLearning course library fulfils this requirement.

Personalised Learning

Personalised learning provides individuals with highly personalised learning plans tailored specifically to them, enabling employees to focus on the highest priority areas to become the best version of themselves.

Access Personalised Learning is configured in line with your company values, expected behaviours and competencies tailored to different cohorts in your organisation, helping to increase engagement and continue to grow your culture of learning and development.

Self Directed learning

In order to fully allow your employees to elevate and build expertise in areas of interest, Self Directed Learning gives them access to a wide breadth of resources created and delivered by subject matter experts.

Nourish a learning culture that inspires and enables employees to achieve their potential. Speak to us to help encourage growth and retain top talent.

Stuart is Head of Product in the Access Learning team. His role sees him oversee products within the Managed, Personalised and Self-directed Learning space. He is committed to helping enable a continuous culture of learning and effective compliance with the Access Learning offering.