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:

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