I can’t see you Smile...

There is no doubt that the face of training has changed worldwide. Whether HR

departments are seeking ways to train employees to operate sophisticated

software programs, improve projects or general management skills, e-training is

catching up rapidly. According to an article in Training Magazine, a survey by

the American Society for Training and Development had predicted that by Year

2000, only an estimated 54.8% of training would be instructor-led, compared to

80% in 1996. By contrast, the market for training delivered via new technologies

was expected to grow from 10% in 1996 to over 35% by Year 2000. Even Web-based

training (WBT) was expected to account for a sizable portion of these electronic

course developments and conversions. Today, that number has grown even larger.

There are several significant reasons for this sudden surge in e-training.

Employees can pace their own learning, and can do much of the learning in their

own time, which reduces the dollars lost in training time. Finally, corporations

can train a much larger audience and much more effectively, when each employee

in the training program has all the information available at his fingertips. In

short, corporations can invest once, in a training system that pays for itself

over and over again.

Employees benefit enormously from this new e-learning direction as well. More

employees can now increase their knowledge base by taking courses in everything

from Java and technologies required for Microsoft Certification to project

management, via the Internet. There is no doubt that in a knowledge-based world,

employees who take the time to invest in certificate programs and new courses

are more marketable and more valuable to the companies they work for. The

emergence of e-learning has made it easier for employees to compete, and become

more valued by the corporations they work for.

IT and HR professionals should however remain cautious. There is a great

difference between non-instructor and instructor-led training. One hears about

large companies like Disney and HP complaining that the computer based training

(CBT) they have in place is not working well. Employees don’t seem to benefit

as much in instructor-less training situations, and complain that they feel

isolated when they train alone on a computer. This issue has led some HR

professionals to reassess how, when and in what form CBT or WBT is offered.

In this new environment, HR professionals, particularly those in IT, need to

keep a close watch on a number of issues. Every IT and HR professional should be

asking how well what is offered meets specific training needs. Take for

instance, training on the use of accounting software. There are a number of CBT

providers who develop CD-ROMS that walk new employees through the process, and

even tell them when they’ve made the correct key stroke at the correct time.

Other skills, such as programming, Oracle and network skills can be taught in a

virtual environment, but could be done better in an instructor led classroom.

Training professionals in more complex skills requires some give and take, and

students seem to learn best in a classroom environment, whether that classroom

is virtual or made from bricks and mortar. There is a sense of community that

develops when a group of employees are trained together, and the learning

process experienced in a group environment, as well as the networking and

sharing of ideas, can be invaluable. Ther’s no question that IT professionals

need to stay ahead in the knowledge game, and e-Learning, particularly

instructor based e-Learning may just be the best way to do that.

The author is director of I-University, and has been in the field of higher

education administration for over 20 years