One of the key characteristics of e-learning is its flexibility. While some may have raised eyebrows on this novel approach to training, many industries have gradually embraced e-learning.

Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting ways e-learning is applied:

Military

Even soldiers can benefit from e-learning. How exactly do they learn using an online and interactive approach?

Virtual bootcamp

The US government has created programs to provide virtual military training and education.

The National Guard with its US Nexus, a centralized server that spans across several government sects, fulfills this very purpose. It is a preparedness program useful for service members and civilians alike.

The US Navy uses the Second Life platform, which is technically a virtual reality game. This helps the navy forces sharpen concentration and critical thinking skills. Did you know that this platform is open to the public?

Meanwhile, the Air Force uses MyBase.Two more phases are currently in development: the first for virtual training and the second for pure tactical environment simulation.

Battlefield visualization

The visualization technology utilized in this approach is impressive. Users don special goggles and examine a 3-dimensional map of a field, all while monitoring enemy movements and mileage. This can also be done in groups so multiple users can train on the same virtual battlefield.

This is a very effective method in sharpening real-time combat strategies. Among soldiers, battlefield visualization is a crucial element in their training. It also helps commanders refine their critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Virtual tools like Google Earth make it possible to arrange 3D maps without spending much. Employing a virtual reality (VR) workbench as the display technology gives the user a more in-depth experience that traditional training cannot provide.

This also trains soldiers for emergency and crisis. The US Navy Research Laboratory uses the Virtual Environment Training Program to train sailors in managing shipboard fires. This allows users to learn dangerous techniques and navigate their way through difficult situations in a safe and regulated environment.

Video games

Nothing is more entertaining than a few hours of playing a nice video game.

Did you know that the US Army developed a video game called America’s Army? With more than 6.5 million registered players, it is indeed an effective recruiting strategy aimed at the younger generation.

Much like popular first-person shooter games like Medal of Honor and Call of Duty, America’s Army enhances the user’s abilities in shooting, communicating, and moving.

In fact, US Military and Government employees are entitled to use DARWARS Ambush!, a free multiplayer computer game that is unfortunately not available for public use. This allows users to deal with critical situations like ambush and emergencies.

Health care

Health care is a trillion-dollar global market, and it is one of the big industries that use evidence-based practice. Continuing education is a must for healthcare professionals, and e-learning has made its mark in this industry as well.

Clinical simulation

Clinical simulations are employed to train healthcare professionals, mostly for supplement training. The focus is on the user’s experience to correctly assess situations, solve problems, and perform skills.

Available in 2D or 3D worlds, this is an effective way to enhance confidence and improve the clinical eye in a less pressing environment. It provides a rich, attractive, and interactive approach to reinforce active learning. Users have more freedom and control to engage in simulated actions that retain information more effectively.

Mobile apps

Apps are perhaps the most widely used kinds of mobile learning, and it’s a very convenient supplement on top of traditional learning.

Some apps are purely informational, like a comprehensive database containing medical terminologies. Some apps work on a gamified platform, which offers more interactive engagement for users.

The best thing about mobile learning is that you can literally learn on the go—anytime, anywhere. It may not be the preferred choice of training by medical professionals, but it is a nice asynchronous complement to the more rigorous training in the classroom.

Cloud-based virtual learning

When we say cloud-based, we refer to digital data that are kept, managed, and processed on the Internet through remote servers instead of local servers and computers.

Since all you need is a cloud-based service provider, you don’t have to worry about taking much of your computer’s memory.

Compared to mobile apps, cloud-based virtual learning allows a more ‘formal’ approach to e-learning considering how important it is to teach medical students and professionals the same quality and quantity of information.

This kind of e-learning allows the instructors or trainers to create, monitor, and deliver the content in an online classroom-like setting. In turn, this enables users to access supplementary learning materials such as journals and case studies.

Aviation

Practicing how to fly an airplane may seem like a terrifying experience for any student pilot. It is indeed an intimidating challenge, but what can e-learning do to make the experience more rewarding and insightful?

Flight simulators

Did you know that during World War I, new pilots were trained to fire at a moving target using ground-based simulators? But it wasn’t until 1927 when Edwin Link produced the Link Trainer, which later on became a popular early flight simulation equipment.

Almost a century after, flight simulation is now an innovative science.

Simulation is quite a sophisticated technology as it mimics an aircraft’s movements and interior environment—all within a fixed compartment. This allows the student pilot to act and react to the current environment.

Both the US Federal Administration Aviation (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) grant several levels of qualification in flight simulator levels.

Flight simulation training

Other than learning how to fly an airplane, there’s more to the aircraft than flying it smoothly and keeping the people inside it safe. Flight attendants play an important role as much as pilots do in maintaining safety and orderliness in the aircraft.

Flight crew training is comprehensive and structured, but can be very costly and time-consuming. Training them using simulated scenarios allows them to apply new knowledge into practice.

Some of these scenarios range from unfavorable weather conditions and medical emergencies to hijacking incidents. Survival training is central to the training content, and e-learning is an effective supplement to what the trainees receive in their classroom training.