ATD Blog
Fri Apr 18 2014
E-learning provides ready access to training in digestible chunks, and it is often a very cost-effective manner to offer training. However, those two elements sometimes lead senior leaders or potential clients to think that e-learning is always the best solution no matter what.
In the April 2014 Infoline, “Basics of E-Learning Revisited,” authors Manjit Sekhon and Darin Hartley address common e-learning traps.
“E-learning is faster than classroom training, so we can get it developed in a week and roll it out immediately,” is a statement organizational learning managers too frequently hear. While the material is often covered quickly via e-learning modules, developing the course often takes longer, warn Sekhon and Hartley. They recommend that developers work with those requesting the e-learning format to see if an alternative solution can be found rather than developing a lower quality e-learning solution. The solution might be in the format of job aids or step-action tables.
Another common trap is when the client wants to hold off until the “right moment” to involve certain parties. Instruct the customer that failing to bring in an executive, who has the authority to give the “go-ahead” for a project, until late in the game can waste a lot of time, effort, and money.
“Our LMS is SCORM compliant, and the vendor will provide SCORM-compliant packages. Surely that means we don’t need to spend too much time testing?” is another popular assertion from clients. The possibility of a bug always exists, especially when taking into consideration running a program on a number of different web browsers or varying mobile devices. “SCORM compliance should never be used as an excuse to bypass rigorous testing,” write Sekhon and Hartley.
The Infoline provides guidance on when to outsource versus when to develop e-learning courses in-house; it outlines a number of e-learning authoring tools with pointers on when to use which type. This Infoline also offers cautions in developing e-learning in a regulated environment.
More information about the “Basics of E-Learning Revisited” can be found online.
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