Using technology to teach employees,
partners and customers about products or services has been common since the
days of 16 mm film loops and Kodak slide shows. Today marketers and trainers
are looking to the Internet to provide “Anytime, Anywhere” motivational
and educational communications. Some, however, have been deterred by one or
several of the prevailing myths about eLearning. Let’s explore the ten reasons
why marketers and corporate educators are hesitant to use this powerful and
effective electronic medium.
^Back to Top^
#1 It's too expensive
This is simply not true. An accounting of the expenses related to classroom
training such as travel and employee down time can quickly justify an eLearning
initiative. And corporate trainers do justify the launching of an eLearning
program with an ROI analysis, detailing the savings achieved through distance
learning. (A sample ROI spreadsheet can be obtained from Bill Horton at www.horton.com/leading.)
However, if one considers the Internet as a tool for delivering successful training,
the cost of eLearning is further reduced. Today, trainers are convinced that
multiple delivery methods, including the classroom, are necessary to accomplish
successful training. E-mail can be utilized in a systematic way to expose recipients
to training content. MS Outlook can be used as a low-cost learning management
system to track student assignments (as opposed to the millions major corporations
are spending on tracking.) Local web developers can be employed to create html
portals that provide a “home” for company MS PowerPoint presentations and other
training materials. Outside web hosting services (like www.presidia.com)
can also provide low cost development services to accomplish your eLearning
objectives on a budget.
^Back to Top^
#2 It takes a long time to develop
Web Content Management Systems can reduce the development time of web courses from
months to weeks. Content is always king. The majority of eCourse development
resources usually are in the upfront costs of organizing the material. Trainers
and marketers already know how to accomplish this pre-development phase. Teaming
up with developers who use templates and who follow a development process
can significantly speed eLearning to market. Consider, too, that the course
you want to build might already be available for a small licensing fee.
^Back to Top^
#3 It needs significant internal technology
resources
Not true. Certainly, it would be advantageous if IT were able to support eLearning
development, but outsourcing it is often the most cost-effective and fastest
route. Hosting, development, and Learning Content Management System software
(authoring & tracking tools) can be licensed via an application service provider
model. The beauty of the Internet is you can outsource these services and software
anywhere in the world. Fortunately there are many good ASP’s specializing in
eLearning right here in the good old US of A.
^Back to Top^
#4 It's limited by Internet bandwidth
High Speed Internet is available virtually everywhere! AOL’s future depends
on it. Cable modem and DSL have made significant increases in market share throughout
2003. Progressive employers will be funding home use high-speed access for employees
at a probable annual cost of less than $500.00 per year. They have come to understand
that if an employee completes 25 hours of training in a year at home, for both company
and personal development, it pays for itself and they have offered
another employee benefit. Lastly, the proliferation of web conferencing for
corporate meetings is quickly making high-speed connections a given.
^Back to Top^
#5 It puts trainers on the unemployment line
Blended eLearning has become the standard today. Use of the Internet simply
shortens the amount of face-to-face classroom time. Trainers are in high demand
to provide instructional integrity for the eCourses developed. Learning objectives,
lesson topic structure and instructional games are necessary to keep teaching
effective whatever the delivery method.
^Back to Top^
#6 It's impersonal
Companies are finding new ways to use the Internet to touch their employees,
partners and customers. Nationally recognized specialists and sales trainers
are replacing live seminars with daily e-mail touches and assignments. Web-based
threaded discussion boards enhance mentoring programs by allowing mentors to
reach more students. Speakers on live web conferences are using innovative ways
to engage desktop users and ensure their interest.
^Back to Top^
#7 Employees will not accept it
Evaluation results have shown that employee acceptance runs high when a blended
approach of web conferencing, classroom, and stand-alone web courses are utilized.
Financial institution employees using eLearning for compliance training appreciate
the ease of use, and anywhere, anytime access to complete this yearly requirement.
^Back to Top^
#8 It does not allow for human interaction
eLearning can actually increase human interaction. Role-playing exercises can
be simulated using Internet technologies. Proper branding of a training web
portal can increase knowledge dissemination. Leadership mentoring programs can
take on new emphasis.
^Back to Top^
#9 It's too difficult to change
eLearning is no more difficult to change than other electronic training media.
The complexity of content change depends entirely on the quality of the original
program. PowerPoint is frequently being used as a web course authoring tool.
Real-time webcasts are being archived as learning nuggets associated with a
curriculum. And a web-based content management system can make editing an eCourse
as simple as “cut & paste.”
^Back to Top^
#10 Competitors will steal it
Yes, they will, if the eLearning is left unprotected. eLearning should be endorsed
and enabled by IT staff; a primary responsibility of IT, as with all firewalls
and password protection.
^Back to Top^
It’s time to take a fresh look at eLearning and to dispel the old myths that
have been keeping your training or marketing department from fully utilizing
the web to improve motivation and education at your organization. Learn more
about why eLearning is coming of age from the resources available at www.astd.org
and www.trainingconference.com.
^Back to Top^