Close the Classroom – E-learning is in the
Building!
By Sharon Coleman
M.I.I.T.T
Whether you like it or not, more and more aspects
of our lives are being digitalised and the e-learning
age is well and truly upon us. Man versus machine!
Trainer versus computer screen! But is the role of
the trainer really at risk? Should e-learning be
viewed as the competition?
As an e-learning specialist, with over 25 years
under my belt, you could be forgiven for assuming
that I would be arguing the case for e-learning.
I am not. I am arguing the case for quality training,
using the most effective, appropriate tools available.
E-learning is not suitable for all content. It can
be faceless. It generally works better when it is
used as a part of a learning programme in which other
training techniques are incorporated. On the other
hand, e-learning can be used to deliver a consistent,
validated message. It is self-paced, accessible 24/7
from virtually anywhere, it can immediately and infallibly
mark assessments and, if the content is structured
correctly and well targeted, it can provide a rewarding,
safe, effective and convenient way to study.
Classroom training is not without its faults. Any
trainer will know that you can deliver a session
one day and feel that you really nailed it, and deliver
the same session the next day and just not be firing
on all cylinders. But get the interpersonal connections
sparking, combine this with subject knowledge and
solid training methodology, and successful, motivated
students are your reward. However, how many times
is the progress of the majority of the students slowed
because of a slower candidate, leading to frustration
and sometimes boredom? And of course you all have
to travel to get to the class, you can only run one
course at any one time, you have to mark manually
the assessment papers, and sometimes teach to a lower
level of your skills.
Incorporating e-learning into your programme can
have many benefits. You can use it to bring students
up to a pre-requisite level of knowledge before they
enter your classroom. When the group has the same
level of knowledge at the outset, you can focus on
the course’s key topics without having to regress.
You can be in more than one place at once! You can
have e-learning courses running while you are delivering
your specialist subjects in the classroom. It reduces
your travelling time and costs, as well as your students’.
The marking is done for you and students can be monitored,
motivated and contacted remotely as necessary. It
enables you to deliver training to an audience nationwide,
even worldwide.
E-learning must never spell the end of the classroom,
that would be a tragedy, but e-learning can allow
classrooms, and the time and skills of the trainer,
to be used more effectively. E-learning is a cost-effective
way to deliver training and, when written well and
used appropriately, the results are outstanding for
all parties. Maximise the classroom – e-learning
should be in the building!
END OF ARTICLE
About the Author
Sharon Coleman is a highly experienced Training
Consultant who has advised at a senior level in many
industry sectors, and has been involved in the progression
of e-learning for over 25 years. Sharon is a Director
of Essential Training Solutions and designs and develops
all the company's e-learning, as well as maintaining
a consultancy role.
