Human Capital Investment
Investing in your people today for a competitive advantage tomorrow, what to consider for online learning
By Tony Payne CMA MBAe
The current economic landscape is on unstable ground and the future is getting more difficult to predict. Many time-honored approaches to sustainable growth are beginning to seem outdated and irrelevant. As companies adjust their operations to better navigate the current economic turmoil, they often lose sight of core competencies critical to long term effectiveness, such as succession planning, leadership development, and improved training regimes. Ultimately, companies that continue to invest in human capital during times of crisis ensure future prosperity. They emerge with improved production capacities which allow them to handle new market demands more effectively than their battle-worn competitors.
The million dollar question company executives ask is, “how do we invest in the future while minimizing expenses?” Many organizations turn to eLearning and the use of a Learning Management System for solutions.
E-Learning
Best described as web-based education, eLearning is quickly becoming a viable alternative to classroom-style instruction due to its high learner retention and cost-effectiveness. In fact, a report of online education conducted by SRI International for the Department of Education concluded that on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction. (Means, B., & Toyama, Y., & Murphy, R., & Bakia, M., & Jones, K)
Learning Management System (LMS)
A LMS is a software application that automates the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training events. Learning Management Systems are usually web-based to facilitate access to learning content and administration. They range in sophistication from basic employee training record management to advanced functionality including certification, career path planning, and online customized training presented with a combination of video and motion graphics.
Why implement an LMS?
In the report Digital Media and Learning as an Emerging Area and “Worked Examples” as One Way Forward, James Paul Gee presents a solid case for the future of E-Learning and LMSs and how they can be used to revolutionize training. Three main criteria used in the marketing —speed, cost, and effectiveness can be used in the learning industry. (Gee, J. P.)
Speed
Provides the ability to train thousands of employees at geographically dispersed locations in a short period of time. Provides access to real-time reporting on courses taken and test results which can be a requirement for compliance reasons. Provides the ability to dictate the pace at which employees complete courses.
Cost
Repeatable nature of E-Learning provides economies of scale: the more employees you train the lower the per-learner cost. Eliminates requirement to hire instructors and pay fees and accommodations every time a course needs to be delivered.
Effectiveness
New approach is well aligned with technological inclinations of new generations entering the workforce. Combining video and motion and text and voice strengthens the number of learning touch points and the way people learn.
Selecting an LMS
Many factors must be considered to select the right LMS for your company. Starting with a solid understanding of your organizations training needs is important. Ask yourself the following questions:
What are the core competencies your staff must develop? What training requirements can be met with E-Learning and an effective LMS? What are the current strengths and weaknesses of your current training regime? What is your current training budget? Which expenses could be eliminated with an E-Learning approach?
Once all factors have been taken into account, it is time to look for an LMS that best fits your training needs. It is important to investigate at the company offering the LMS as well as the benefits offered by the LMS itself. Following is a list of questions to assist in the selection of the right LMS for your training needs.
The Company Offering the LMS
Are E-Learning and LMSs the company’s main focus? Who are their existing clients and what are they saying about their service?
Courses Development and availability
What courses do they have available? Do they develop custom courses, and if so, can they provide course hosting options?
Testing
Does the LMS provide the ability to test learners on the course material? Can you set a passing grade and allow employees to retake tests?
Reporting
Does the LMS contain a dashboard to access real-time reports? For growing companies, can reporting be broken down by city, location, person, and course? Does reporting meet requirements of any compliance regime mandated by government regulation? Does the LMS solicit feedback from users on course material and LMS usability?
Administration
Does the system allow multiple user levels with customized privileges? Can administrators add new users and change user privileges or does this need to go through the provider? Can administrators change the availability of courses by user or user level? Can the system generate email notifications for each course completion? Can the system generate personalized Certificates of Completion for users who pass the course?
Cost
What is the cost structure of the LMS - do they charge course completion fees, monthly user fees, hosting fees, or flat rate fees?
As E-Learning and LMSs are relatively new, finding an all-in-one, off-the-shelf LMS can be difficult. Only a few online training systems are fully integrated with reporting technology, rapid delivery systems, and survey technology. BIS trainer and InsightU, based in Canada, Net G, based in the US, and Cornerstone, located throughout the world offer such systems. Each provider’s offering has a variety of strengths and limitations. In terms of flexibility, functionality and user-friendliness, BIS Trainer offers the most value. They also develop dynamic courses based on their clients’ needs in multiple languages. InsightU offers a more limited version of a similar online training system with the ability to develop basic courses. Net G has a host of less dynamic and more academic online training material. Cornerstone offers an online training system that can be integrated with other payroll systems such as Ceridian.
Educational institutions are starting to invest heavily into online learning, governments are rapidly expanding the offering of online learning for their employees, and businesses are starting to rapidly move their current training library into the digital world of online training. Therefore, a large number of E-Training companies will emerge in the coming years, using anything from Codebaby to Moodle to deliver information. The company that has the best material and digital media and the most seamless, integrated system will lead the online revolution. The challenge for large organizations will be navigating through the various online-companies to find the one that delivers custom digital media courses that focus on the retention of information and comprehension of the material. The world of online learning is quickly moving from the early adaptors phase to the mainstream, and the time to begin investigating how E-Training and LMS can help your organization meet training and development needs is now.
Tony Payne is the SVP for Information Technology for a National Engineering and Geomatics corporation in Alberta Canada
Source:
Means, B., & Toyama, Y., & Murphy, R., & Bakia, M., & Jones, K. (2009). Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta- Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies. U.S. Department of Education Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development Policy and Program Studies Service. Retrieved September 17, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf
Source: Gee, J. P. (2010). Digital Media and Learning as an Emerging Area and “Worked Examples” as One Way Forward. USA: MIT Press.
Tony Payne is the SVP for Information Technology for a National Engineering and Geomatics corporation in Alberta Canada
