The hype surrounding e-learning as the sole training method has passed as organizations realise the solution is in a blended mix of course delivery.
According to Pathlore director sales and services David Hobbs, e-learning will not replace existing education methods.
Some organizations forget the value of classroom training in their bid to reduce the cost of their training offerings, he said, adding that both online and classroom techniques should be used, a system known as blended learning, to carry out training.
He said the rapid pace of change in business makes e-learning an attractive way to get training out to staff as quickly as possible,” Hobbs said.
“Cosmetically it’s attractive to do that, in regards to cost savings and speed of deployment. However, there are some concepts you can only learn in a classroom.
“We take blended learning as being a traditional classroom environment, an online class, which can include off-the-shelf products, and virtual classrooms.”
Hobbs says the key to making blended learning work is to have a mechanism to manage and evaluate class outcomes regardless of the method of delivery, which takes into account employer’s training plans and prerequisites, and recording test results and transcripts.
“You need an administrative capability around the training you’re offering in your organization, otherwise you pretty much have no idea about results, attendance and the like,” Hobbs said.
The main motivation around the use of learning management systems is still cost reduction.
Pathlore provides software that delivers, tracks and reports on the effectiveness of corporate training over the Internet and provides learning management systems.