Workplace elearning: An Overview for Discussion

Transcription

1 Work and Learning Knowledge Centre Workplace elearning: An Overview for Discussion WLKC Annual Symposium Ottawa May 2008 Don Presant

2 Agenda Definition Benefits & Barriers Current Statistics Trends Success Factors How to Grow Workplace elearning in Canada?

3 CCL Definition of elearning development of knowledge and skills through the use of Information & Communication Technolgies particularly to support interactions for learning - interactions with: content learning activities and tools, other people It is not merely content-related, not limited to a particular technology, and can be a component of blended or hybrid learning. J. Rossiter, 2002; also 2005 in an address at the CCL Workshop on e-learning

4 Benefits of elearning for the workplace Any time, any place, any pace Digestible chunking, performance support Reduced direct/indirect costs (e.g. travel, time) Standardization (e.g. for compliance) Easier reporting, tracking & measuring Customizable affordances Popularity with incoming technology natives

5 Barriers Poor instructional design Poor or unfocused objectives not properly tied to organizational goals Poor evaluation procedures not measuring effectiveness or Return on Investment Technical, vs. learning/business solution Poor technical, admin infrastructure & support Lack of management commitment & support Developing a Balanced Scorecard Approach to Measure the Performance of Your E-Learning Initiatives Michael Bloom presentation, Conference Board 2003

6 Some Current Statistics Canadian Internet Use Survey (StatsCan): 26% of adult Canadians (6.4 m) used the Internet for education, training, or school work in % : research, problem solving 26%: distance education Canadian elearning corporate market $145 million -> $2 billion ( ) (IDC Canada) Conference Board survey % of 570 customers currently using elearning

7 Focus of elearning Efforts Software Training Technical Skills Management Skills New Technology Training Product Knowledge Health & Safety Marketing & Sales Conference Board 2003

8 Who is Being Trained via elearning? Professional, technical employees Clerical, service & support employees Managers Senior Executives Conference Board 2003

9 Recent US Statistics-1

10 Recent US Statistics-2

11 Recent US Statistics-3 (LMS: Learning Management Systems) (LCMS : Learning Content Management Systems) (EPSS = Electronic Performance Support Systems)

12 BUT: SME Viewpoint on Canadian Workplace Training

13 And even now. CME Management Issues Survey

14 Union Perspectives on elearning PRO: potential strategy for inclusion of rural & isolated workers e.g. UFCW/Mohawk partnership CON: potential for competency deconstruction of jobs to pave the way for job deconstruction Responsibility for elearning should be in the public sector with focus on quality vs. private, poorly regulated certificate factories

15 Labour Education Online Mostly informal (non credit), CMC based (online forums, etc.) CUPE s Solinet CLC/Athabasca University research project 2000 Natural extension of F2F worker to worker education that emphasizes activism and organizing Resistance to self-directed delivery; blended group learning preferred: online discussion with parallel real world application Bruce Spencer and Michael Law, eds., Labour Education in the Twenty-first Century: International and Comparative Perspectives. Toronto: Thompson Educational Publishing, 2001 Peter H. Sawchuk, The Pitfalls and Possibilities of Labour Movement-Based E-Learning

16 Trends Blended learning Informal learning (e.g. podcasting, webinars) Shorter, more modular, Just In Time delivery ( Learning on Demand ) Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS) Learning Management Systems, Corporate Learning Portals Open Source software, content (Moodle, MIT) Computer Supported Collaborative Learning Mobile learning Simulations & serious games Measurement of business impact (e.g. for talent management)

17 Forces That Will Affect Future Use of E- Learning Within Next 2 Years Cost effectiveness Effectiveness vis a vis other modes Ability to reach more learners Improved elearning platforms Vendor issues Conference Board 2003

18 How to Grow Workplace elearning in Research that: Canada? validates/improves quality or helps measure impact? Technical standards and interoperability tools? Better post-secondary/workplace partnerships? elearning consortia for Small to Medium Enterprises (i.e. SME buying clubs)? Support for SMEs to find/manage training? Tax credits or training levies? Expand the activities of sector councils?

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