e-Learning Benefits—and Cautions

Most of us have a great deal of experience and exposure to e-Learning (aka online learning, virtual learning, web-based learning, computer-based learning, etc.). In increasing numbers of university and business environments, e-Learning is being used  for “information delivery,” while instructor-moderation is used for discussion, application, and “what-if.”

Because e-Learning has become so readily available, it can be helpful to re-examine it occasionally to see what works, what doesn’t, why, and what kinds of improvements we might consider for our learning and development (L&D) offerings—whether e-Learning, classroom, blended, or hybrid.

Background and Promise

e-Learning’s initial promise was hitched to the idea that people wouldn’t need a classroom, an instructor, or all of the other expenses associated with fixed-location learning. Students would be able to “self-direct” their learning efforts without having to attend an event at a particular time and place. They wouldn’t have extended time away from the office or the associated expenses of airfare or auto, hotel, meals, etc.

Let’s look at e-Learning promises that have been realized—at least partially.

• Convenience and flexibility. Learners access material anytime and anywhere as long as they have internet access. They have the ability to balance learning with other work commitments and family responsibilities. Learning Management Systems (LMS) provide the ability to view course descriptions and requirements, enroll, track progress, and make comprehensive records available online to both learner and employer.
• Personalized Learning Pace and Paths. Learners set their own learning pace. They can quickly skim or skip already-learned material and proceed to new or more difficult material, and they can stop to review material instantly.
• Cost-Effective and Environmentally Friendly. Travel expenses and facility maintenance expenses are reduced or eliminated, along with a less need for printed materials. Reduced delivery expense for the business can also mean reduced student expense.
• Scalability and Expanded Resources. e-Learning can be scaled to be available to large numbers of students quickly and with little additional expense. Resources such as videos, interactive quizzes, discussion forums, and peer learning are easily within reach.
• Consistency of Delivery. Content can be delivered in exactly the same way every time, making e-Learning especially helpful for legal, regulatory, compliance, and safety training where consistent content delivery is required. Company product knowledge, along with policies and procedures, can also be covered in exactly the same way for each learner.
• Responsibility and Self-Discipline. Learners develop responsibility for their own learning, manage their own time, and develop the kind of self-disciplined learning that many companies want to see.

 Drawbacks and Cautions

As with any approach to L&D, e-Learning has limitations and considerations:

• Lack of Face-to-Face and Social Interaction. The absence of direct social interaction (in the case of a course that’s strictly information delivery) can result in the loss of personal connection, spontaneous conversation, and the ability to ask immediate questions.
  • Valuable “hallway conversations” during classroom breaks are absent.
  • Networking opportunities are limited. Some of the most valuable conversations and connections are made during personal interactions in classroom courses—connections which can be invaluable for career advancement or additional professional development assignments.
• Quality of Development and Delivery. As with any learning material, courses must be developed well and with a strong eye toward learner engagement. Poorly designed courses can result in dissatisfaction, confusion, and wasted time.
• Learning Preferences Might Be Minimized. Learner reading and listening skills run the risk of being minimized in a “one-size-fits-all” course. Some students learn better by hearing lectures and question-and-answer sessions, while others learn better by reading on their own.
• Technical Issues Must Be Addressed. While self-service and self-direction are potential benefits, technical issues can leave a poor taste in learners’ mouths.
  • Poor internet connections, software installation and access issues, and equipment issues must be addressed quickly and competently by tech support staff.
  • Most learners “enroll” in courses via a Learning Management System (LMS). The LMS, which is a database with a “front end” that allows student access, can sometimes be difficult for learners to navigate or to retrieve their records, and often requires specialized tech support.
  • Not all learners have access to the necessary technology or internet speeds, especially when accessing learning from home or outside the corporate intranet.
• Over-reliance on Screens. Eye strain, fatigue, along with stress and anxiety, are potential negatives.

Hybrid and Blended Classroom Approaches—Good, But with Caveats

One way to attempt to deal with e-Learning’s drawbacks is to consider “hybrid learning” or “blended learning.” While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a distinction.

• Hybrid learning. During a live, instructor-led event, some learners attend in person with the instructor, and some participate online.
• Blended learning. Instructors combine face-to-face instruction with online learning activities. Learners complete some activities online and complete others in the classroom.

Hybrid learning benefits

• Online learners have the flexibility to join from their location of choice, and the potential elimination of travel expenses
• Classroom learners don’t have to “wait” for a time when the greatest numbers of learners can show up for a live event before the event is scheduled

Blended learning benefits

• Learners spend off-line time learning assigned material largely at their own pace
• Access to a wider range of learning resources than would be available in a time-limited classroom environment
• Rather than the instructor “delivering” information in a live environment, instructors spend time answering questions and creating scenarios that allow for creative thinking, discussion, and decision making, all based on previous learner efforts

Hybrid learning drawbacks

• Instructors can have a difficult time managing what are essentially two audiences: one in-person, and the other online.
• Tech support must be immediately available during the event to troubleshoot connection problems for learners
• Online learners can sometimes feel left out if the instructor does not do a good job of constantly recognizing and engaging them
• Online learners can turn their cameras off and multitask, thus potentially eroding their learning experience

Blended learning drawbacks

• Time management can be an issue if learners don’t focus on assigned tasks, and there’s the potential for increased time commitment because learners are expected to attend class and do out-of-class work
• Students with disabilities may face extra challenges in accessing material and/or fully participating in live discussions

Emerging Technologies and Their Promise

The technologies driving learning hold great promise, especially those below.

• AI and Personalized Learning Paths. Artificial intelligence is being used to create personalized learning paths that are tailored to individual learner progress and needs. As data on student interactions with content are analyzed, AI can recommend resources and activities to optimize learner outcomes, which helps learners receive essential support at their own pace. These responsive adaptive systems make real-time recommendations and adjustments, often without learner input, and increase learning retention.
• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. AR and VR can create different virtual environments, allowing learners to apply what they’ve learned to simulated real-world situations. An engineering or architecture student can test structural designs, and medical students can practice diagnosis and surgical skills outside of patient environments. AR and VR allow learners to work together to examine more complex concepts, develop a sense of community, and facilitate discussions, group projects, scenario examination, and problem-solving.
• Microlearning. “Chunking” has been around for a long time, but the emphasis on microlearning, which means delivering content in short, manageable chunks, allows students to not only progress at their own pace and maximize their time but can also enhance information retention. Microlearning is more easily tailored to different learning styles, allowing students to learn in ways that best suit their needs.
• Social Learning. Social learning includes collaborative learning environments and peer-to-peer learning.
  • Collaborative learning allows students to work together on projects, share resources and findings, and participate in discussions, thus increasing engagement and motivation.
  • Peer-to-Peer Learning allows students to teach and learn from one another, rather than just from an instructor. While not unique to e-Learning, it provides ways for students to share their expertise and knowledge, develop teamwork, and reinforce understanding of key ideas.

e-Learning Is Here to Stay

With the advent of the internet and AI, e-Learning’s promises are not only here, but they’re advancing rapidly. Maximizing learner experience, time, and opportunities—along with providing enhanced roles for instructors or other subject matter experts—e-Learning and its AI enhancements will continue to revolutionize how people learn, collaborate, solve problems, and create almost unlimited environments for personalized learning and exploration.

As we noted at the beginning of this piece, constantly asking the “How are we doing?” question is crucial.

• Ask learners for their ideas and suggestions. Learners are the ones who’ve had the greatest exposure to innovative learning experiences outside their work world. Don’t just rely on HR, instructors, or instructional designers for their opinions.
• Are your current delivery methods aligned with current business needs and expectations?
• How old is your content? Does it align with current business needs? How can the explosion in e-learning opportunities maximize your ROI?
• If you’re using outside vendors for content development and delivery, course tracking, and reporting, reassess whether your needs are being met.

As long as instructors, instructional designers, learners themselves, and technical experts work together, the future of learning is indeed bright.