Ask the Expert: Tom Welsh, Q&A
Q: I'm a busy program manager who would like to get my members involved in online learning. What's the best way to determine which kinds of learning activities would be better suited for online vs. the more traditional classroom-style learning?
A: You need to clarify the types of skills and knowledge you'd like your members to acquire. Once you define the desired training outcomes, you can look for online and/or classroom-based training that will help them succeed. Certain outcomes are less appropriate for e-learning. For example, let’s say you’d like a member to improve interpersonal negotiation skills with clients. In this case, you will likely want them in a classroom environment eventually, interacting with other students and coaches as they practice real-life negotiation skills. While e-learning would not offer the required level of face-to-face interactivity, you might still use an online negotiation skills program to provide the necessary background information prior to taking the classroom-based training.
Q: How do I convince the less technologically savvy among my staff that online learning will benefit them? How do I persuade them that the positive rewards will far outweigh their trepidation about this type of learning methodology?
A: First, accept that their trepidation will only go away through positive experience. Briefly explain the learner benefits discussed above. More importantly, give them the chance to try e-learning in a low-risk, fairly effortless manner. Identify a relatively short and engaging course. Clarify that they can take the course during their workday and provide them with any necessary equipment (headphones, etc.). Make clear that they need not complete the e-learning in one sitting (but be sure the course they take has the capability to allow a user to complete the training in more than one session through the use of bookmarking!). The key is for them to have a positive first experience. Finally, provide an incentive, if possible. Your members will more likely embrace e-learning if there is a clear personal benefit. You might try developing a certification program whereby a member receives a special acknowledgment for completing a series of online courses.
