E-Learning: Love it or Loathe it

Focus has just relaunched its Distance Learning and E-Learning website covering certification courses for PRINCE2, ITIL, MSP and APM.
>> Find Project Management & IT E-Learning

We’ve been intrigued by the strength of feeling being expressed by protagonists for and against distance learning. Our take is that there is both good and bad quality training whether you are looking at E-learning or instructor led training.  So work out what suits your situation then make sure the quality is right.

Interestingly, saving money is by no means the only motivator for those choosing E-learning over classroom courses. It’s often more driven by the need for flexibility in hours spend studying, and the wish to feel fully prepared before taking the exam. Those taking this route are often highly motivated and pass rates can be higher than for the equivalent classroom course.

Terminology
There’s not much consistency and at Focus we tend to use Distance Learning and E-Learning somewhat interchangeably. In fact there are a lot of other related terms in use.

Distance Learning:  the most generic term which probably goes back to Pitman in the 19th Century
E-Learning:  any training where delivery is mainly by electronic media. Often implies delivery via web�
CBT:  computer based training. Often used when the material is loaded via CD
Synchronous Learning:  E-Learning with a live (but remote) trainer
Blended Learning:  a combination of distance learning and classroom elements
M-Learning:  distance learning via mobile devices
V-Learning:  learning inside a virtual world (such as second life)
G-Learning: learning via computer games

The Case against E-Learning
With due deference to Rob Chapman
http://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=194343

E-Learning is a classic example of the readiness with which people are ready to disregard received wisdom.  We know that the more contact we have with our teachers the better we learn.

Are you really going to retain facts crammed in between a half-eaten sandwich and a quick flick through a tabloid?

There’s no real incentive to complete E-learning courses quickly.

E-learning can limit the learning experience to reading, typing and clicking.

It’s a low cost way for senior managers to claim they have met their training obligations.

The Defence
With due deference to Donald Clark
http://donaldclarkplanb.blogspot.com

Employees prefer short bites of learning, just when they need them.

The new generation of e-learning tools are capable of providing a highly individual development experience.

E-learning is cheaper, faster and more environmentally friendly.

E-learning is not a standalone solution but should form part of the overall learning strategy.

Tied to the triple tyranny of a specific place at a specific time with specific trainers, the “course” is seriously outdated.

Courses are at odds with the psychology of learning.

More people learn from books than any other medium.

Blogalot - April 2009