Feature

E-learning: the critical factors

Deploying an e-learning system does not guarantee that it will be successful. Faiz Askari focusses on the factors that can help ensure that a online training programme is a hit.

In today’s corporate culture, saving time is the same as saving costs. This is more critical when it comes to training or educating an employee and upgrading his skills/competencies. To streamline the process of training, organisations are always looking out for better options. E-learning can provide on-demand training for workers across the organisation worldwide. However, without careful planning, the e-learning initiative can become a problematic asset for any organisation, causing a lot of confusion, cost overruns and discord.

Creating successful e-learning courseware is not as simple as posting training manuals and PowerPoint presentations on the intranet in the hope that employees will log on, review and understand the material. True e-learning programmes must emulate traditional classroom learning by logically and effectively presenting course materials to teach specific information while providing tools to evaluate and quantify the student’s understanding. 

For companies that want to create e-learning courseware, there are critical considerations that should be followed to ensure a successful outcome, whether the development team is working together across the table, or as a virtual team assembled electronically across the globe.

What ensures success?

People. Assemble a team of people who possess the background, knowledge and appropriate skill-sets to contribute to the team. Once the critical skill-sets for the success of the project have been identified, find the individuals who have both the skills and the bandwidth to reliably contribute to the project. Equally important, they must buy into the objectives that have been established for the project and work well with the entire team. Some organisations will have the luxury of dedicating personnel exclusively to the e-learning project, but, in most cases, team members also have a full workload to juggle along with the new project assignments. This is why it is important to make sure team members will have the available bandwidth and the personal commitment necessary to meet deadlines. 

Methodology. Prior to beginning the development process, it is imperative that a set approach be established for communications between the team (instant messaging is an excellent method of facilitating rapid interaction between a geographically-dispersed team). Establish standardised documents to be used throughout the project, including content gathering and storyboard templates. Utilise issue tracking and status reports to save development time and ensure courseware consistency. 

Purchasing an off-the-shelf solution is unnecessary, and may even jeopardise the project. Each project is unique in its timeframe, contributors and objectives, so a cookie-cutter approach could inherently damage the team’s ability to reach its objectives successfully. Instead, use a project-specific approach that customises policies and procedures from a methodology toolbox for each unique project. It is critical to select structures that will enable the project rather than those that could ultimately handicap the project. 

Procedures. Development of e-learning in an organisation is a step-by-step process, so setting and meeting deadlines is critical. Missed deadlines can delay the entire project and ultimately undermine its initial success. Understand all of the steps that will be required to create the courseware. Confirm the content, the scope and sophistication of the delivery (audio, video, automated, interactive, etc), and how evaluation will be incorporated into the materials. Consider whether proficiency needs to be demonstrated in a specific manner to meet regulatory requirements, or whether mastery of information must be achieved before moving to the next learning module. If so, specific measurement tools will have to be incorporated in the initial programme. 

Technology. Identify the technologies that will be required to develop the courseware, including content management, status tracking, issue tracking, and version control. Equally important is identifying the technology that will be used on the deployment end which should support, and not confound, the process. Keep your overlying focus on simplicity when choosing technology solutions to ensure rapid adoption of the underlying systems that your team will rely on during the development process. 

Status of e-learning 

"We encourage our employees to utilise the Eaton University online portal and its comprehensive network of leadership resources" - Deepak Sharma Managing Director Eaton Power Quality

Many organisations have adopted e-learning and are proactively advocating it to their employees. CSC India runs its computer-based training programmes specific to its requirements through the intranet. “Training calendars, nominations, feedback and training reports are generated online through a robust, smart and intelligent training information system. Online learning programmes form an integral part of CSC’s learning and development activities. CSC employees across the world benefit from similar standards of training programmes. E-learning courses are available for building both technical skills as well as enabling other competencies. Employees have the choice to do these courses at their own pace and convenient time,” says Mohammad Sarajuddin, Manager, Training, CSC India.  

Deepak Sharma, MD, Eaton Power Quality, explains the focus on online training programmes. “Eaton Corporation has launched a corporate university to integrate training and development for Eaton professionals.  Eaton University promotes the enhancement of skills and competencies required for business success and career growth. The corporate university offers development opportunities such as suggested readings, professional associations, on-the-job experience, and internal and external training. We encourage our employees to utilise this online portal and its comprehensive network of leadership resources. At Eaton, many of our trainings—induction, ethics, technical, functional, etc—are Web-based.” 

"The need for an inexpensive mechanism to deliver training has led many companies to explore the option of e-learning" - Achal Khanna Country General Manager Kelly Services

Says Achal Khanna, Country General Manager, Kelly Services, “We have internal e-learning programmes developed by the Kelly Services training division. These courses will be mandatory for employees through various stages of their career with Kelly Services.” 

Informing about the status of e-learning at Xchanging, Henry D’Souza, the company's Country Director for India says, “We use a combination of e-learning as well facilitator-aided training programmes. E-learning programmes are effective and important for meeting the technical training requirements of our employees.”

"E-learning programmes are effective and important for meeting the technical training requirements of our employees" - Henry D'Souza Country Director, India Xchanging

LogicaCMG constantly encourages its employees to use e-learning solutions. “For example, we have a facility whereby employees can access technical and non-technical courses online (NETg). A large number of employees are aware about e-learning, but we are trying to make it all-pervasive within the organisation. At a global level, LogicaCMG has successfully offered its clients blended e-learning solutions, and these are an integral part of our training offerings. We strongly believe that e-learning will contribute immensely to the future direction of training in IT organisations,” states Sameer Khanna, Head, Training and Development, LogicaCMG.

Benefits of e-learning

Elaborating on the benefits of e-learning Sarajuddin states, “E-learning is time-saving, efficient, cost-effective, flexible and measurable. It ensures consistency in learning across CSC locations. Our e-learning programmes work as a great knowledge management tool and help in meeting our talent nurturing needs.” CSC aims at 30 percent learning through its e-learning portal, and the goal is to increase this in the future. “Currently, we have more than 6,000 online books; nearly 5,000 self-paced courseware; and hundreds of job aids, simulations, test preparations, skill briefs and express guides. In addition, there are knowledge communities that employees can join as per their interests and take advantage of the knowledge-sharing,” adds Sarajuddin.  

Expressing his views on how e-learning has benefitted his organisation, Sharma says, “This is the most efficient way of learning as a vast range of topics can be covered. It also allows employees the flexibility of time and a choice of subjects of their interest. As learning material is easily accessible, thousands of people can be trained through online training.”

"E-learning is a sure-shot recipe for ensuring that learning programmes are provided to employees consistently" - Rahul Mulay General Manager, Operations Harbinger Group

Adds Rahul Mulay, General Manager, Operations, Harbinger Group, “The speed at which employees can be brought at par for working is the essence of its success. E-learning is a sure-shot recipe for ensuring that learning programmes are provided to employees consistently without missing the knowledge piece. Online leaning becomes a vital strategy for employees training with us.”

Acceptance by employees

In most organisations, besides on-the-job training and hardcore technical programmes, the demand for computer-based training programmes on personal development has gone up tremendously. Although the instructor-led classroom programme is still the predominant mode of training, e-learning is getting popular. The industry expects a big growth in the number of employees who will be doing online course modules.

On the acceptance of e-learning by employees Sharma comments, “Some programmes are mandatory while others can be selected by the employee to enhance his skill-sets/knowledge base. These online programmes can be accessed through the Internet.” 

Mulay points out that employees are enthusiastically taking up these courses for many reasons, but mainly for improvement in their job performance, “Gathering information is very easy through online training or e-learning applications. Another important fact is that these programmes have practice sessions and tests, which help them gauge how much knowledge they have retained.”

According to Khanna of Kelly, “New demands in organisations are increasing the interest in e-learning. The need for less expensive ways to deliver training has led many companies to explore the option of e-learning. The convenience for users of the programmes, and the engaging nature of multimedia delivery, are big advantages. The centralised nature of Web-delivered training makes the delivery standardised for all users who take the course. E-learning is often less expensive and a more convenient alternative. It is a fascinating new field which will likely have a vast impact on all professionals.” E-learning attracts employees as it eliminates time and location boundaries, making it an excellent way for staff to learn, deploy and use new technology.

ec@expresscomputeronline.com