Let E-learners Have a Role in Choosing their E-learning Courses

Malcolm Knowles, one of the recognized founders of modern adult learning theory, states that adults must believe that their learning will have a personal benefit. Organizations typically have set goals and objectives that are at the forefront of all business planning. These two fundamentals do not need to be mutually exclusive. Within the context of the organization’s objectives, learners should have input into the process of determining what e-learning courses they will take. They can be determined through a process of consultation between organizational learning leaders and e-learners themselves.

Now I’m not suggesting that e-learners should have carte-blanche when it comes to making e-learning course selections, but rather that learners should be actively involved in the process of negotiating what courses to take, outside of those required as a matter of principle or prerequisite. Learners should be involved in the process of designing their curriculum to know that their learning will have personal benefit (for more on this perspective, see the December 24^, 2009 entry: Let the Learner Play a Role in your Program Design).

The outcome of this process will be determined through those consultations and could take the form of roundtable discussions, surveys, one-on-one interviews, or a combination of two or all three approaches. The more that the organization embraces and respects the learner’s needs, the more success any corporate learning initiative will have.

This is post 7 of 7 of the E-learning Success Model … view the others by following these links:

1. A Model for E-learning Success
2. Understand the E-learner
3. Onsite E-learning Champions
4. In-Class Orientation for E-learners
5. Support from the E-learner’s Manager
6. Provided time to E-learners during Work Hours
7. Let E-learners Have a Role in Choosing their E-learning Courses