TOP-LEVEL ELEMENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL E-LEARNING STRATEGY | C H A P T E R 5
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Top-Level Elements for a Successful e-Learning Strategy By Lisa D. Young
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heaper, faster, better …” … a familiar mantra many organizations look to live by when it comes to training and development. But in today’s reality of scaled-back training departments, diminishing budgets, dispersed workforces, and changing content it is often difficult to live up to. Many see e-Learning as a way to make this mantra a reality, and organizations have jumped on the bandwagon. E-Learning is progressive, it is sexy, and it can be rapidly developed and implemented, creating a perception that it is the catch-all solution to training and learning needs. The result is that many organizations expend more effort on churning out e-Learning courses than on developing a long-term strategy that will result in successful e-Learning. E-Learning is here to stay. Technological advances and mainstream acceptance of the training methodology only support this notion. Therefore it is time to step back, reevaluate the place of e-Learning in our organizations, and focus on a strategy to support the conception, design, and development of successful e-Learning initiatives and programs. E-learning that is robust, innovative, and timely. E-Learning that pushes organizational boundaries and takes learning and knowledge development to the next level. A solid strategy can assist in adding value to your program while lowering the stress levels of those individuals who are typically responsible for e-Learning. An increased interest in and acceptance of e-Learning as a viable training solution allows you to enable various non-traditional resources in your organization to be involved in the design and development of e-Learning in a variety of capacities. But be warned: this type of strategy requires letting go of some of the control you may be accustomed to, and slowing putting the design of learning back into the hands of the content experts. It is contingent upon you providing a toolbox and roadmap that sets these individuals up for success.
The five elements of a successful strategy A successful e-Learning strategy relies on the interconnectedness of five main elements – Tools, Training, Processes, Supports, and People – to provide the knowledge, skills, tools, and support required to create an increased number of e-Learning iniIn Chapter 5 you will find information about: tiatives that meet the high-standards expected by your organization. These • The five elements of a successful strategy elements are the e-Learning strategy mantra you should live by. Grounded in the resources and processes required to efficiently and effectively support the
Contents
The eLearning Guild’s Handbook of e-Learning Strategy
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