eLearning as a strategic tool

E-learning applications are not new as a tool for people development. However, throughout the years the view on its design and implementation has evolved in order to guarantee its biggest effectiveness. Many of the predictions on e- learning development were not fulfilled as it was expected….




Some additional thoughts:

1. Big enterprises have platforms which allow them to spread training solutions through the staff and collaborators.

2. Changes on Market are appreciated: Quality predominates over quantity. The technological investment on platforms and equipment will be paid off not by the volume of courses and applications but by the effective involvement of the employees

3. The ability to surprise is a crucial element for the involvement of the participants. So, as time goes by it becomes more difficult to surprise and motivate through a screen.…

These facts have caused an interesting evolution in Market: as time proved that e-learning implementation was not as easy as it was thought, the exploitation possibilities and therefore the organizations requirements regarding its impact increased.

Well then… What should we expect today from an e -learning application?

1. Elearning can transfer knowledge: of course it can. It is quite easy to transfer objective knowledge through an e - learning application. The effort of the designer will be focused on making comprehensible concepts which will not be debatable because of its objectivity.

EXAMPLES:
.Knowledge of the product.
.Knowledge of use or process.
.Knowledge of sector or market
.Knowledge of Enterprise


2. Elearning can develop skills: It is also possible .However , the aim becomes more difficult to achieve .We must not forget human factors when developing skills, whose treatment may demand a personal relationship in a face to face session in order to get an involvement in the action.

EXAMPLES:
.Sales technique
.Negotiation
.Time Management
.Leadership


3. Elearning can motivate and change behaviors:
The Real Challenge starts here. We are talking about projects that aim to introduce a new way to do things. We do not deal with teaching knowledge, we do not deal with practicing skills, it consists in attaining attitude changes….. and on these occasions, it becomes really difficult to replace the motivational role of a facilitator in the classroom by a Computer application

EXAMPLES:
.Implementation of Commercial Protocols
.Competences development
.Enhancement of rules and internal processes
.Implementation of Management Protocols


4. The great challenge: Elearning can support the implementation of strategic changes within the organization. This way, the application becomes not only a training and development tool, but also an internal communication tool for motivation and even the engine that boosts changes within the organization. It is not strange that challenge increases as difficulty does……………..


EXAMPLES:
.Implementation of Commercial Strategies
.Implementation of organizational changes
.Implementation of models of competences
.Strategic deployment of the Business view