Support from the E-learner’s Manager

Recently, an impartial study conducted at a given multi-national organization revealed that employees enrolled in e-learning felt little support from management for accessing e-learning during working hours. In fact, the implied message was that e-learning, while being provided by the organization as a way to develop professional skills so employees could be better at what they do, should be completed on the employees own time (at home, on lunch hour, etc.). It was clear that learners were discouraged before they even began the e-learning process; the organization is interested in supporting employee learning by investing in an e-learning program, yet the message that learners receive seems to be inconsistent with that objective. Trust mechanisms have to be built into the online learning experience. A learner should have the confidence that his/her manager supports and encourages e-learning efforts.

Managers, with the support of the organization, need to be willing to let their people learn. Working with their teams, time can be structured into the schedule to allow for their employees involved in e-learning initiatives to take a regularly allotted time to devote to e-learning. An example could be every Tuesday from 11:00 am to Noon … this way, both employee and employer can contribute to e-learning, with the employee choosing to invest some of his/her own time over lunch as an add on to the one hour prior to lunch. A simple activity plan with built in check points will ensure that a schedule like this works and is followed.

The objective is for both managers and employees to see and experience the benefit of providing paid time to develop skills that will assist moving the team and organization forward.

This is post 5 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