E-learning provides substantial benefits for the individual and the organisation. E-learning skills are different from traditional ones. This applies to both learning, teaching, training and managing a learning programme. Some of the benefits of E learning are:

Just in time training
A new product launch, a new process update or new employee orientation programmes can be launched immediately. There is no need to collect all the people at one place or wait until most of them are available. E Learning allows the programme to be implemented almost immediately and deliver it to everyone within the organisation in a certain time frame.

Cost effectiveness
E Learning is more cost effective than one person training. The general expenditure, non training related expenditure such as accommodation, travel and subsistence expenses are reduced substantially. The expenses incurred are more for learning rather than related to learning.

Time
E Learning allows you to learn at any time. It does not prohibit a working adult from learning due to inability to attend classes during working hours.

Access
E Learning is accessible to everyone. There are no more restrictions on the number of participants.

Geographical dispersion
The need to travel and the associate costs are reduced, any one can learn from anywhere as long as they are linked to the web or the organisational intranet.

Real time interaction
Unlike traditional distance learning or corresspondence education, there is no need to wait for feedback. You can interact with colleagues and the teacher/trainer immediately. You can get immediate clarification and feedback. Even in the classroom, the level of interaction is minimal compared to E learning.

Self paced learning
The individual is responsible for his or her own learning. It is one to one learning and so the learners are able to work at their own pace. Each learner has an individual learning account and he/she is able to work with the teacher/trainer.

Cultural alignment
E learning provides a safe learning environment. It fits well with most cultures. Learners do not want to be exposed to their ignorance. With E learning, they are not pressured by peers or the teacher/trainer. It also allows consistent delivery independent of teacher/trainer idiosyncrasies. However, the elements of social learning is also present as they can interact with fellow learners.

Personal experience
E learning is a personal experience and therefore there is buy in from the learners. The attention span of learners are very short, unlike the classroon attention span of twenty minutes, here it may even be as low as twenty seconds. The personal commitment ensures better retention and application of the learning.

Application of Multiple Intelligence
E learning allows you to choose a number of learning methods - video, audio, text, virtual classrooms, e-mails, on line chats, music, knowledge cafeteria, graffiti and games. It accommodates different individual learning styles. It also allows the application of multiple intelligence in the programme unlike the classroom where the focus is only on verbal and mathematical intelligence.

Information at a click of a button through hyperlinks
The world wide web has a huge resource bank. The e-library consists millions of pages of information. Referencing and reviewing information is no longer difficult. Learners will be able to browse information through hyperlinks to sites and find the information they want with a click.

Measurable
E learning is easily measurable compared to traditional learning approaches. It is easy to build tests through the learning management system. The learning can be carefully managed in a phased manner. Unless and until the learner has achieved a certain degree of proficiency in the first module, he may avoid rushing to another module. The learning gain can be recorded and reports can be generated to enable decision making. It allows automated, continued assessment of learner progress.