Evaluating E-Learning Programs

E-learning has become prominent in the workplace, including training programs from external providers. Do you know how to evaluate potential Learning Service Providers? Today’s Advisor gives you solid information from BLR’s presentation “Training Strategies I: E-Learning.”

First, consider these facts about this exciting new training method:

• The use of e-learning in the workplace has grown considerably in the past few years. A large number of companies in the United States and worldwide are currently using or experimenting with some form of e-learning to train their workers.
• Still relatively new to the training sphere, e-learning is growing and maturing rapidly. As each year passes the technology is becoming more sophisticated. Programs are becoming more interactive, more appealing, and more motivating to trainees.
• Currently, e-learning programs are capable of meeting a wide range of training needs for all kinds of industries.
• The future is likely to see such features as simulation and virtual reality as commonplace elements in workplace e-learning.

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If you are outsourcing e-learning, you need to be sure that your learning service provider, or LSP, is providing you with the training your employees need in an appropriate format. Follow these steps to evaluate e-learning programs:

• Begin by actually sampling the programs the LSP has to offer.
• Are they well designed and visually stimulating? Are they highly interactive? Is content comprehensive and well presented in a logical, sequential order? Is it easy to navigate the program? Can employees exit and reenter the program easily?
• Are e-learning programs readily accessible to your employees—24/7, if necessary?
• Is the content job related? Does it conform to the policies, procedures, standards, and training objectives of your organization? Is it complete, accurate, and up to date? Does it reflect the best practices in your industry?
• Can the program be easily customized for your employees or particular groups of employees?
• Does the LSP provide adequate technical support for trainees and for management?
• Is the program cost-effective? Online training should be cheaper, as well as more convenient, than traditional training. If it isn’t, you have to weigh convenience against cost.

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Why It Matters

• New technologies, such as e-learning, can enhance the effectiveness of your training program.
• New technologies, such as e-learning, can expand the outreach of your training program.
• As long as you evaluate the e-learning programs that you use to ensure that the technology is working properly and that the content presentation is accomplishing what you need it to.