--- title: 4 of the Most Popular Online Learning Tools for Employees description: If you want to take your L&D program one step further, you can invest in an online learning platform or LMS, but there are also many free tools that can help you get started before taking that leap. image: https://www.topyx.com/hubfs/pexels-photo-1243365.jpeg --- [![TOPYX Logo](https://www.topyx.com/hubfs/topyx-logo-full.png)](https://www.topyx.com/) - [Contact Sales](https://www.topyx.com/contactsales) - [Features](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/) - [Learner](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/learning/) - [Learning Paths](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/learning-paths/) - [Social Learning](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/social-learning/) - [Mobile Learning](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/mobile-learning/) - [Learning Catalog](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/learning-catalog/) - [Administrator](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/administration/) - [Reporting & Dashboards](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/lms-reporting/) - [Certifications](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/certifications/) - [Content Management](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/lms-content-management/) - [LMS Integrations](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/lms-integration/) - [Services & Add-ons](https://www.topyx.com/lms-services/) - [Industries](https://www.topyx.com/industries/) - [Associations](https://www.topyx.com/association-training) - [Corporate](https://www.topyx.com/corporate-training) - [Financial](https://www.topyx.com/financial-services-training) - [Healthcare](https://www.topyx.com/healthcare-training) - [Manufacturing](https://www.topyx.com/manufacturer-training) - [Nonprofit](https://www.topyx.com/nonprofit) - [Retail](https://www.topyx.com/retail-training) - [Sales/Services](https://www.topyx.com/sale-and-services-training) - [Subject Matter Experts](https://www.topyx.com/sme-training) - [Technology](https://www.topyx.com/technology-training) - [Plans](https://www.topyx.com/lms-solutions) - [LMS Pricing](https://www.topyx.com/lms-pricing/) - [TOPYX Elements](https://www.topyx.com/topyx-elements) - [TOPYX Essentials](https://www.topyx.com/topyx-essentials) - [TOPYX Expanded](https://www.topyx.com/topyx-expanded) - [TOPYX Enterprise](https://www.topyx.com/topyx-enterprise) - Resources - [eLearning Resources](https://www.topyx.com/elearning-resources) - [Videos](https://www.topyx.com/videos) - [FAQ](https://www.topyx.com/lms-benefits/faq/) - [ROI Calculator](https://info.topyx.com/roi-calculator) - [Customer Stories](https://www.topyx.com/customer-success-stories) - [COVID-19 Resources](https://www.topyx.com/online-learning-resources-covid19) - [Blog](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog) - ![Search Icon](https://www.topyx.com/hubfs/loupe-1.png) - [Request a Demo](https://www.topyx.com/request-a-demo/) - [Contact Sales](https://www.topyx.com/contactsales) - [Features](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/) - [Learner](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/learning/) - [Learning Paths](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/learning-paths/) - [Social Learning](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/social-learning/) - [Mobile Learning](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/mobile-learning/) - [Learning Catalog](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/learning-catalog/) - [Administrator](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/administration/) - [Reporting & Dashboards](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/lms-reporting/) - [Certifications](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/certifications/) - [Content Management](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/lms-content-management/) - [LMS Integrations](https://www.topyx.com/lms-features/lms-integration/) - [Services & Add-ons](https://www.topyx.com/lms-services/) - [Industries](https://www.topyx.com/industries/) - [Associations](https://www.topyx.com/association-training) - [Corporate](https://www.topyx.com/corporate-training) - [Financial](https://www.topyx.com/financial-services-training) - [Healthcare](https://www.topyx.com/healthcare-training) - [Manufacturing](https://www.topyx.com/manufacturer-training) - [Nonprofit](https://www.topyx.com/nonprofit) - [Retail](https://www.topyx.com/retail-training) - [Sales/Services](https://www.topyx.com/sale-and-services-training) - [Subject Matter Experts](https://www.topyx.com/sme-training) - [Technology](https://www.topyx.com/technology-training) - [Plans](https://www.topyx.com/lms-solutions) - [LMS Pricing](https://www.topyx.com/lms-pricing/) - [TOPYX Elements](https://www.topyx.com/topyx-elements) - [TOPYX Essentials](https://www.topyx.com/topyx-essentials) - [TOPYX Expanded](https://www.topyx.com/topyx-expanded) - [TOPYX Enterprise](https://www.topyx.com/topyx-enterprise) - Resources - [eLearning Resources](https://www.topyx.com/elearning-resources) - [Videos](https://www.topyx.com/videos) - [FAQ](https://www.topyx.com/lms-benefits/faq/) - [ROI Calculator](https://info.topyx.com/roi-calculator) - [Customer Stories](https://www.topyx.com/customer-success-stories) - [COVID-19 Resources](https://www.topyx.com/online-learning-resources-covid19) - [Blog](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog) - ![Search Icon](https://www.topyx.com/hubfs/loupe-1.png) - [Request a Demo](https://www.topyx.com/request-a-demo/) [Online Training LMS](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/tag/online-training-lms), [Social Learning](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/tag/social-learning), [Online Learning](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/tag/online-learning) # 4 of the Most Popular Online Learning Tools for Employees by [Debbie Williams](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/author/debbie-williams) on October 9, 2018 Online learning tools offer companies benefits such as increased collaboration and reach, training that is constantly accessible to learners, the ability to easily update or edit content, reduced training costs, and scalability.¹ If your organization is not yet using online learning tools, the best time to begin is now. Good tools to start with include YouTube, live chat, Skype, and Google Plus Hangouts. If you want to take your L&D program one step further, you can invest in an [online learning platform](https://www.topyx.com/) or LMS, but there are also many free tools that can help you get started before taking that leap. ## **4 Online Learning Tools Your Employees Will Love** Here are four of the most popular online learning tools that enhance corporate education and engage learners: 1. **YouTube **-- 5 billion [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/) videos are watched each day, according the article *Should I Use YouTube for Employee Training?*.² Chances are most of your employees use YouTube regularly. Why not provide some video training using this popular platform? Depending upon the subject matter and how specific the training needs to be, you may be able to integrate some already-existing YouTube videos into your corporate training program. Many experts are active on YouTube and create credible videos. If no videos exist that meet the needs of your program, consider making them yourself. If you decide to formalize your online learning strategy later on, you can use your YouTube videos as a base for content in your online learning platform, porting them over via integrations or simply uploading videos to your new eCourses. 1. **Real-time chat **-- [Real-time chat](https://www.topyx.com/social-learning-platform), which is a real-time, live transmission of text messages, comes in handy in the workplace. It facilitates training by making communication fast and easy so  learners gain clarity on tough subjects. It also helps them engage with their coworkers in real time. Many software programs and [learning management systems](https://www.topyx.com) enable real-time chat. Live chat is often easy to implement and simple to use. There are plenty of websites that exist to help company leaders build their own real-time chat apps if that is the route they want to take.  ![real-time chat is a popular online learning tool](https://www.topyx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pexels-photo-1243365.jpeg?width=600&name=pexels-photo-1243365.jpeg) 1. **Skype **-- If you want to make a video call to a colleague or do a quick training session with an employee, [Skype](https://www.skype.com/en/) may be a good online learning tool for you. It can reduce business travel costs and cut the cost of business calls. “Skype is also a great instant communication tool for educators and learners. If an educator needs to communicate something to someone quickly, questions can be asked and answered in a matter of minutes,” stated eLearning Industry.³ Other instant communication and meeting tools you can use include [Microsoft’s Teams](https://products.office.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software) (which will eventually replace business versions of Skype) and [Slack](https://slack.com/). 1. **Google Hangouts **-- Another option for communicating with remote individuals is [Google Hangouts](https://hangouts.google.com/). It allows administrators, employees, and third-party experts to videoconference in groups. “Not only does a Google Hangout provide fresh content for your Google+ page, but Hangouts on Air also integrates directly with YouTube. As a result, you not only get the potential audience from both properties, but also have a hosted archive video which can then be edited and shared externally on your own website, social networks etc,” stated *6 Business Benefits of Google Hangouts*.4 You could also consider online meeting tools like [Zoom](https://zoom.us/) and [UberConference](https://www.uberconference.com/). **Related Reading**: *[Why Online Learning is the Best Type of Learning for Employees](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/online-learning-best-type-learning-employees)* ### **Use Online Learning Tools as a Supplement to an eLearning Platform** The online learning tools mentioned above are a great start to online learning, but they aren’t sufficient to deliver a comprehensive employee training program. They are best used as a supplement to a [learning management system](https://www.topyx.com) or some other type of learning platform, and can also be helpful when transitioning employees from classroom learning to online training. The online learning tools here are all tools that can be used to supplement the social learning functions of an online learning platform. Social learning is just one of the trends that you need to know about that are changing the online training industry. Download the 2018 Corporate eLearning Trends white paper to explore the rest.![corporate elearning trends](https://www.topyx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/corporate%20elearning%20trends.png?width=200&name=corporate%20elearning%20trends.png) [![Download White Paper](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3844305/2abe4705-66d5-4ab0-bd2c-1d4f7e8f88a1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3844305/2abe4705-66d5-4ab0-bd2c-1d4f7e8f88a1) --- References: 1. eLearning Industry. 9 benefits of eLearning for students. https://elearningindustry.com/9-benefits-of-elearning-for-students. 1. eLearning Industry. Should I use YouTube for employee training? https://elearningindustry.com/youtube-for-employee-training-use. 1. eLearning Industry. 5 eLearning tools for corporate education. https://elearningindustry.com/elearning-tools-corporate-education. 1. Woorank. 6 business benefits of Google Hangouts. https://www.woorank.com/en/blog/benefits-of-google-hangouts. ![Debbie Williams](https://www.topyx.com/hubfs/Images/Stock%20Images/Website_Image_Woman_MASTER.jpg) [Debbie Williams](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/author/debbie-williams) Director, Marketing ##### you may also like [![You can help close the retail skills gap your business is experiencing with these 3 tips. ](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3844305/Stock%20images/Mid-section%20of%20female%20staff%20using%20digital%20tablet%20in%20super%20market.jpeg)](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/close-the-retail-skills-gap-with-an-online-learning-platform) [Online Training LMS](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/tag/online-training-lms), [online training systems](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/tag/online-training-systems), [Retail Training](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/tag/retail-training) ## [Close the Retail Skills Gap with an Online Learning Platform](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/close-the-retail-skills-gap-with-an-online-learning-platform) [![retail LMS](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3844305/Stock%20images/Portrait%20of%20beautiful%20customer%20service%20representative.jpeg)](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/retail-training-tips-that-improve-key-business-metrics) [Online Training LMS](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/tag/online-training-lms), [Retail Training](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/tag/retail-training) ## [Retail Training Tips That Improve Key Business Metrics](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/retail-training-tips-that-improve-key-business-metrics) [![Find out how a national brand partnered with TOPYX LMS to overhaul its supply chain educational program. ](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3844305/Stock%20images/business%20people%20group%20with%20%20headphones%20giving%20support%20in%20%20help%20desk%20office%20to%20customers,%20manager%20giving%20training%20and%20education%20instructions-1.jpeg)](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/3-tips-for-modernizing-your-online-learning-program) [LMS](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/tag/lms), [Online Training LMS](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/tag/online-training-lms), [Online Learning](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/tag/online-learning) ## [3 Tips for Modernizing Your Online Learning Program from a Successful Example](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/3-tips-for-modernizing-your-online-learning-program) [![TOPYX LMS Logo](https://www.topyx.com/hubfs/topyx-logo-full.png)](https://www.topyx.com/) - [TOPYX Blog](https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog) - [About Us](https://www.topyx.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](https://www.topyx.com/contact-us) - [Contact Sales](https://www.topyx.com/contactsales) - [Submit an LMS RFP](https://www.topyx.com/submit-an-rfp) - [Referral Program](https://www.topyx.com/referral-program/) - [Careers](https://www.topyx.com/careers) - [COVID-19 Resources](https://www.topyx.com/online-learning-resources-covid19) - [What is an LMS?](https://www.topyx.com/what-is-an-lms) - [LMS Training](https://www.topyx.com/lms-training) - [Remote Training](https://www.topyx.com/remote-training) - [LMS System](https://www.topyx.com/lms-system) - [LMS Software](https://www.topyx.com/lms-software) - [LMS Overview](https://www.topyx.com/lms-overview) - [Employee Training Software](https://www.topyx.com/employee-training-software) - [Learning Experience Platform](https://www.topyx.com/learning-experience-platform) - [LMS Solutions](https://www.topyx.com/lms-solutions) - [Social Learning Platform](https://www.topyx.com/social-learning-platform) - [Online Employee Training](https://www.topyx.com/online-employee-training) - [Enterprise Learning Management System](https://www.topyx.com/enterprise-learning-management-system) Newsletter Sign-up - We're Social - [![TOPYX Twitter](https://www.topyx.com/hubfs/Ironpaper/twitter-icon.png)](https://twitter.com/TOPYX) - [![TOPYX LinkedIn](https://www.topyx.com/hubfs/Ironpaper/linkedin-icon.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/topyx) - [![TOPYX YouTube](https://www.topyx.com/hubfs/Ironpaper/you-tube-icon.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/TOPYXsocialLMS) © 2022 Interactyx. All Rights Reserved. TOPYX®, myTOPYX® and Gather.Interact.Learn.® are registered service marks of Interactyx. TOPYX - Learning Management System (LMS) Privacy Policy ![websights](https://ws.zoominfo.com/pixel/63122e61dc61f37d6066321d) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Debbie Williams", "url" : "https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/author/debbie-williams" }, "datePublished" : "2018-10-09T21:03:42.000Z", "headline" : "4 of the Most Popular Online Learning Tools for Employees", "image" : [ "https://www.topyx.com/hubfs/pexels-photo-1243365.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.topyx.com/lms-blog/popular-online-learning-tools-for-employees", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.topyx.com/hubfs/topyx-cypherworx.png" }, "name" : "Interactyx" } } ```