Guest Blog: SDG Monitor on the benefits of learning sustainability online

ESGmark® partner SDG Monitor on how digitisation is changing the way we learn.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work but also the way we educate ourselves. E-learning or online learning is a new form of studying that has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a leading online education platform, Learnworlds, technology and online education is reshaping the way we learn. Over the last year, more people are looking to develop additional competencies that support their values and current professional interests.

In addition, e-learning provides an opportunity for businesses to improve the performance of their employees. Whereas in-class learning is often costly and more difficult to organize due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the e-learning courses are resource efficient and an easy option to provide quality training for employees in a digital format. Thus, companies are increasingly giving an opportunity for their employees to increase competencies in various topics by taking e-learning courses.

Online learning allows anyone to access courses and training from educators around the world, learn new skills and get certified as proof of investing in new skill sets. The reach of e-learning courses is wide but so is the choice. The way the content is accessed, consumed, discussed, and shared has changed tremendously thanks to e-learning

Learn anywhere, at any time

Learning new skills through an e-learning course has never been as easy as it is today. Online courses provide a convenient way to study something totally new or to improve skills in a familiar topic. Starting is quick and easy, you only need an internet connection and a suitable device, such as a laptop, a tablet or a smartphone to login to the learning portal.

With online courses you can learn anywhere and at any time, whenever works for you. Unlike traditional class-room training, e-learning gives more flexibility and most of the time you can study at your own pace. The flexibility is not only bound to the time. E-learners can choose what to study from the course material, re-watch parts of the videos as many times as they need and contact the course instructors via email or at the e-learning course forum at any given moment.

increase the competence of your employees

Sustainability needs to be fully embedded in the business strategy to make sure the company is future-fit. When a company becomes aware of its Environmental, Social and Governance impacts, defines the actions it needs to take to mitigate them and makes its actions publicly available, it becomes an example of pro-active sustainability management - rather than simply reacting to needs as they arise. And this requires people being fully engaged with the sustainability plan. Hence, investing in employees' sustainability skill sets and know-how, companies are investing in their future as well.

E-learning provides a way to gain new skills to apply directly at work and get a certification that motivates your employees to take courses even in their free time. Online courses are readily available and not time-bound as in-class training. Learning something new opens doors and expands opportunities inside the company and further develops a career path.

e-learning is sustainable in itself

Online learning removes the need for booking a physical training room, printing materials and saves time when students don't have to travel to the training venue but simply open their device, sign in and start learning. Also, the future of work is all about life-long learning, we should never stop learning and that supports the sustainability aspect of e-learning altogether.

Face-to-face interaction, which is proved to be an important part of learning engagement and retention, is also possible in e-learning. In order to mimic the in-person experience, video as a learning tool as well as webinars are there to advance the experience for the e-learner.

Share information with a wide audience

When it comes to learning sustainability through online courses, one of the most exciting benefits is to e-meet like-minded people all over the world, share experiences, best practices and do it from the comfort of your home. E-learners are able to simultaneously learn from the best educators around the world and connect with other people interested in the same topic. This increases both motivation to keep learning and possibilities to find synergies with others to form partnerships or even create something bigger together.

Sustainable development needs global partnerships and strong international cooperation. More data and information increases understanding that grows motivation which feeds more action. Support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the SDG17 which drives for partnerships and collaboration for people and the planet.

learn business sustainability at sdg monitor e-learning academy

SDG Monitor is an ESGmark® member and joint venture partner. It is a cloud-based tool that helps companies and organizations to measure, manage and communicate their sustainability performance and show ESG and SDG impacts. We believe that learning is life-long and e-learning is here to stay.

SDG Monitor E-learning is a great place to improve your skills and access tools to help in measuring, managing and communicating business sustainability.

Check out its self-paced e-learning courses on creating a sustainability report and UN SDGs explained with concrete business cases and level up your sustainability competence!

You can find out more about SDG Monitor’s E-Learning courses here as well as ESGmark®’s partnership with them on our news page.