Revision Date 2/9/07
What is eLearning? eLearning is an all encompassing term generally used to refer to computer-enhanced learning, although it is often extended to include the use of mobile technology such as PDAs and MP3 players. It may include web-based teaching materials and hypermedia, online books, multimedia CD-ROMs, DVDs,(not technically elearning) Websites, discussion boards, off-the-shelf catalogs, collaborative software, online collaborative forums, email, blogs, wikis, computer-assisted assessments, online
FAQs, simulations, games, electronic voting systems, Virtual Reality Training
(VRT) etc.
There are other names associated with eLearning, including:
Internet based Training (IBT)
Online Books or Training Catalogs
Computer Aided Learning
Online Learning
M-Learning (mobile)
Distance Learning
Virtual Learning
Blended Learning (This just means you utilize a variety of techniques, one of which is some form of eLearning)
What are the Advantages?

Flexibility

Convenience
 Greater adaptability to the learner’s needs

Variety in learning experience

Consistency of delivery

Human interaction can be encouraged through audio or video-based web conferencing programs (Ex. Webinars, webcast, pod cast))

Meet the needs of Gen Xers who are techno savvy

Can be cost effective if there is a large audience that must complete the same training (Ex. Safety or regulatory training in a large corporation)
Think “economy of scale”

Can be utilized for Knowledge Management to store and transfer learning

Can be used as an assessment tool providing instant feedback.
 Can provide “learning on demand”

What are the disadvantages?

Costly – high upfront investment

Time consuming to develop, validate, approve

Must hire a person with these specific skills to develop eLearning programs and work with students online or outsource/offshore it

70% of eLearning never gets used

There is a feeling of isolation with many forms of eLearning such as distance learning or self-study online courses.

Often there is a need to also develop adaptive materials

Retention rate is typically low unless supplemented with other venues (ex.
Discussion groups, face-to-face events, Webinars, coaching etc,)
Important things to Consider

Who is your audience?
The audience most receptive would be those that are computer literate, like working at their own pace or on their own and have easy access to utilizing it. Larger companies that have a more sophisticated workforce (Ex. Hi Tech, Pharmaceuticals, etc.) and that have many people to train on the same topic/equipment are most likely candidates. You need to ask yourself a few questions: o Who will use this? What is their educational level? Are they
Computer literate? o Will the end-users have easy access to using it? o Do you have enough customers (internal or external) that need the same training, making it worth your time and expense to do?
(economy of scale)

When and how will it be used?
o Is the material likely to change frequently, making your training outdated quickly? (That will definitely help you determine what form of elearning you may select to pursuit.) o Will this be a stand alone teaching tool or a supplement to your customer’s internal trainers? Will it be a part of a blended learning approach? o How will you monitor its effectiveness? o Will there be online assessments for you to review/track? o If most of the critical training you do is on the equipment, what role will the elearning play? Is it expected to replace the OTJ training? o What sort of adaptive materials/venues will you have to supply to make it effective? (Evaluations, job aids, Webinars, online discussion groups, help desk, etc.) o Does your customer have the equipment required to use your elearning or will it require them to purchase or upgrade some of their systems? (added cost) Can it be integrated?
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
How will we price it? Who will pay for it?
o Will elearning replace/supplement/compliment classroom training?
Will it be priced at the same level that OTJ training would be? o Can we make any money on it? o Will customers be willing to invest in customized development for their specific application? o Should some training be online, and some OJT? Is some free, some billed?
Should it be “bundled”? (Some say that they typically charge 80% of the cost of classroom training.)
Manufacturing Applications
You may be wondering who is using it, what are they actually doing (what form of eLearning), what do customers want, what are some examples.
Who is using it? What are they actually doing?
Examples?
Equipment Vendors (OEMs)
Most equipment vendors are using some form of eLearning, but mostly at the lower end of the spectrum – the CD ROM (technically not E-Learning) or online reference manuals. If you are not providing electronic copies of your manuals and training materials then you are definitely behind the times and need to look at making this small investment.
Most customers mandate an electronic copy. Whether they use it or not is another story but they WANT one!

Some OEMs that have smaller, easy to use, low cost equipment
(especially for customers with high turnover) use videos/CDs/DVDs and job aids as their only form of training.

Some OEMs are starting to offer free Webinars/Webcasts as a sales and training tool. This venue may serve also as reinforcement to training previously provided.

Videos/CDs/DVDs that show troubleshooting on real problems are also very common and helpful during training since they show trainees circumstances they may encounter that can’t be simulated during formal
OTJ training.

Others offer access to training material and/or services (ex. help screens or access to their training libraries) as apart of their training and/or equipment package for a certain period of time. After that “free” period, they may have to subscribe to continue the service.
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
Some, like Allen Bradley, offer (among other eLearning) assessment tools online to help individuals decide what class they should take. Check it out
– its well done - www.rockwell.com
(look under support services, then training).

Another tool showing up more often are products that capture problems while in action that can be played back to solve problems. These playbacks serve as excellent learning tools as well as good troubleshooting. They can be sent via the Internet for feedback and troubleshooting.
Many OEMs are just now looking into what type of online eLearning customers will value that is cost effective. You need to answer the questions on the previous page before you decide what approach you want to take.
Customers
Again, most customers use some form of eLearning.

Large companies tend to use it extensively for safety and regulatory procedures via their Intranets. It satisfies legal obligations and reaches the maximum amount of people. It is flexible and self-directed, making it extremely convenient. They may also use off-the-shelf programs for soft skills or IT training. These sometimes are purchased through elearning catalogs.

Some Pharma companies are beginning to utilize VRT – Virtual Reality
Training. Again, this would be where there is “economy of scale”.

Most customers also have some form of troubleshooting capabilities on their HMIs (panel view screens). A few have “expert systems” and/or simulators but they can be costly.

Many larger companies utilize some form of distance learning , typically video conferencing. The key here, if you are thinking of this as a cost effective approach, is to make sure the system you choose is compatible with your customers. Webcast/webinars are also very common at and with your customers.
Customers will use whatever you p rovide but they typically don’t want to pay extra for it. eLearning is looked at as a way to deal with the need for training –on-demand, especially during this era of headcount reductions.
However too many companies don’t look at the low retention rate many eLearning venues have if used independently or the technology cost needed to run them.
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What are some resources that I can refer to?

WebEx – This is a business communications organization that provides
Web Meeting and Web Training vehicles such a video/audio Webcasts that you may want to utilize for training. For a free demo of their capabilities go to www.webex.com
They also have their own University with many courses on this topic available. Go to their website for an excellent 30 page booklet (you can download) called BEST PRACTICES
IN ONLINE CUSTOMER TRAINING. (look under white papers)

Bersin & Associates
– A leading research and consulting firm that focuses on eLearning technologies and implementation. Free short research papers/case studies can be viewed at their site. One excellent paper is The 4 Stages of eLeanring.
Go to www.bersin.com
or www.elearningresearch.com

Articluate – This is a provider of Rapid E-Learning Training. If you need short E-Learning modules in a hurry Articulate has a product. Visit their website at www.articluate.com
– There is a daily (weekdays)
Webcast to explain how you can create effective training modules from
PowerPoint presentations in 1 day to 3 weeks.

From Wikipedia , the free encyclopedia, put in E-Learning. www.wikipedia.com
There are several articles to select on the topic.
 Geo Learning e-Learning Blueprint http://www.geolearning.com
 KnowledgeShift http://www.knowledgeshift.net

Josh Bersin http://www.bersin.com
 Elliott Masie http://www.masie.com
 Articulate, Captivate, CourseAvenue
– http:/www.articulate.com, www.macromedia.com
& www.courseavenue.com
 iLinc, WebEx, Instant Presenter, Smart Board
– www.ilinc.com
, www.webex.com
, www.instantpresenter.com

LMS (learning management systems)
– www.saba.com
, www.trifus.com
www.sumtotal.com
www.geolearning.com

eLearning Guild www.
elearningguild .com
 Online Training http://www.trainingmagevents.com/learninggroup/subscribe/index.jsp
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