Understand the E-learner
Any organization that commits to undertaking an e-learning component as part of their learning and development strategy must make an effort to understand their learners. Unfortunately, it seems that many organizational leaders are sold on new e-learning technology as a way to reduce the investment in their training budget while frequently the needs of the learner seem to be ignored.
It would be foolhardy and potentially costly to overlook the fundamentals of adult learners as advanced by Malcolm Knowles, namely:
- Adults need to know why they are learning something; they must believe it will have a personal benefit;
- Adults have lifetime experiences that should be tapped and built upon;
- Adults learn best from hands-on, problem-solving approaches to learning; and
- Adults will expect to apply new knowledge and skills immediately, which will aid retention.
Understanding your corporate learners is important if you are to effectively work with Knowles’ fundamentals.
The process to start understanding learners can be accomplished by having prospective e-learners complete a short questionnaire or even through a one-on-one interview setting with an organizational e-learning champion. If the survey option is used, follow up with those that self-identify through their responses that they would be at risk in an e-learning environment. Questions requesting information about age, educational background, organizational tenure, and familiarity and comfort with computers and e-learning should be asked. Understanding the employees that will be participating in a company sponsored e-learning curriculum is no different than taking the time to understand employees that will be participating in in-class, on-the-job, or other training avenues. As a training leader (facilitator of learning), it is your responsibility to play a key role in delivering a positive LROI (Learning Return on Investment). In this case you can do that by making the effort to understand the e-learner.
This is post 2 of 7 of the E-learning Success Model … view the others by following these links:
- A Model for E-learning Success
- Understand the E-learner
- Onsite E-learning Champions
- In-Class Orientation for E-learners
- Support from the E-learner’s Manager
- Provided time to E-learners during Work Hours
- Let E-learners Have a Role in Choosing their E-learning Courses
Know Your Audience
Public speakers, sales people, and marketers live by the mantra of “know your audience.” And so taking a page from their book, when it comes to designing and/or delivering training, know your audience. I’m not talking about making assumptions based on stereotypes, (an approach fraught with pitfalls at best and dangerous at worst). I’m suggesting that it is important to put some effort in to know and understand your audience … the learner. Success in training hinges on helping the learner to make the necessary connections and in experiencing those “A-ha” moments.
What is it helpful to know about, and why?
Background
Who are they (as individuals and as a group)? Where have they come from? What is their working history? This is where knowing a history and understanding the culture of the organization is also extremely helpful.
Competencies
What does their competency map look like? (more on competency maps in another post) This should include competencies directly related to the work environment … and those that are not; the lived experiences that learners bring to the organization shouldn’t be overlooked.
Education
What is the educational background of each individual and the group as a whole? When building and/or delivering programs, it is important to work with learners … not around, below, or beyond them.
And how do find out about backgrounds, competencies, and education?
Ask
Enough said.
Survey
If the organization is large, learners are dispersed, or time is a limiting factor, consider using a survey tool to collect some of this information for you. Online tools like SurveyMonkey will allow you design, distribute, collect, and analyze data for no charge (there are limitations of course, but have a look).
Assessments
In some cases, pre-course assessments are important to ensure that the learner is being matched up with the correct course level, or if you are designing a program, that you are designing it to the right level. Web based survey tools can also be used for this, as can paper based instruments.
If you are aware of any other online tools that can be used for surveys and assessments, please feel free to share.
