The Trainer & The eLearning Adventure!
These are interesting times for everyone. The winds of change are
hitting everyone and everything with equal ferocity. The climate,
the flora and the fauna, the businesses, the economies…everything
is experiencing a never before change. Though not as big as these
other changes, there is another change, which is being experienced
by the training community. This change is the recognition of eLearning
as an effective “alternative/addition” to classroom
training.
The use of the term “alternative” is not inadvertent.
It is important to remember that in some cases, organizations want
to replace classroom training with eLearning too. It isn’t
only about enhancing the training quality by using eLearning as
an additional mode of imparting learning; it is also about using
eLearning as an alternative to classroom training. This is so, because
in the long run, eLearning is much more cost-effective.
So, about the change! As with every change, this change too is
facing resistance. As managers know, resistance to change isn’t
only about attitudes and behavioral patterns; resistance to change
also germinates from inadequate understanding and appreciation of
the reason for change. This is also true for eLearning implementation
in organizations. Not everyone is keen on eLearning. Some also think
of it as a “computer substitute” for a trainer. Thus,
the trainer as well as the trainee; both look at the implementation
of eLearning as an undesirable change.
My experience has taught me that change shouldn’t be resisted;
it should be analyzed for its possible effects (both positive and
negative) and then if needed, modified. Going by this philosophy,
my intention now is to equip you with the information that can help
you review this change constructively.
Let us first look at eLearning to identify it correctly and then
review its main strengths and weaknesses.
What is it…exactly?
ELearning can be understood as learning through electronic means.
This definition should immediately classify both mobile learning
and television learning as eLearning. However, I recommend that
you don’t generalize in haste. Again, if you’ve been
using PowerPoint presentations, you may be tempted to say that even
PowerPoint presentations should be included in eLearning. Don’t!
eLearning happens when a learner learns by interacting with the
computer directly. This doesn’t happen in the case of PowerPoint
presentations…and so, if you are using PowerPoint presentations
in your training programs, you cannot assert that you are using
eLearning.
Thus, what we end up classifying as eLearning is:
- Computer-based Trainings
- Web-based Trainings
- Online courses (served through learning management systems)
with facilitator-support (such as Wavelength’s courses)
- Virtual Training Programs (with a live instructor)
As the march towards future continues, certain other types of learning
avenues that are being classified as eLearning, include:
m-learning is at times classified as eLearning, while sometimes
it is not. M-learning is created by adhering to principles that
are somewhat different from eLearning (the screen space, the technological
limitations, and the audience’s immediate environment and
mental state are all quite different for m-learning than they are
for eLearning.) Personally, I prefer to view it as a completely
different learning medium that would require the instructional designer
to work with a very different kind of mental framework.
Let us review some feature of eLearning, which are common to all
types of eLearning content.
- The learner is not in direct contact with the instructor (if
an instructor is there, as in the case of facilitated online content.)
- The learner directs the learning. The learner decides the sequence
of learning, the time of learning, and even the amount of learning
that should happen within a particular time period. Though the
designer/instructor may attempt to define it for the learner by
providing timelines, eventually, it is the learner who takes responsibility
for the learning.
- The content has to be created by gazing into the crystal ball.
It has to close all the gaps that may occur. It has to answer
the questions that the learner may come up with.
- eLearning has to provide means for learner’s conflict
resolution/reduction of cognitive dissonance. When mature learners
learn, they compare the new learning with their existing views
– when a conflict/dissonance arises, it has to resolved
within the constraints of the medium.
Is it Good for me?
Now a quick look at the advantages of eLearning:
Other than the biggest advantage (to the organization that implements
eLearning,), which is that of reduced implementation costs, there
are some other benefits that accrue directly to the trainer. Let
us look at some of these.
- Are you bored of repeating yourself? If repetition tires you
out, consider eLearning. As a trainer you often have to repeat
content, so that it begins to appear canned – but then you
continue repeating it because you know that the trainee needs
the practice.
- Think of putting the practice in form of eLearning.
- Are you a process trainer? Do you feel that individual
practice and customized feedback isn’t always possible.
Review eLearning as a possible option.
- Are you voice and accent trainer? Do you think that individual
practice sessions sponge the vitality and freshness out of
your training programs? Think about enabling the learner to
practice in his/her own time; so that classroom practice time
is reduced.
- Do you want to spend your time creating better activities and
exercises; instead of milling through sessions that require repetition.
- Think of a training program about cultures. You may want
to use videos with interactivity or content that you consider
optional.
- Review the larger context of training. You would like to
analyze your audience better. You would also like to analyze
the evaluation feedback to enhance the future training programs.
ELearning will help you create time for these.
- The new generation is the tech-savvy generation. Most are more
comfortable with technology than they are with people. When people
are in their cognitive comfort-zones, extraneous cognitive load
reduces and they learn better. Thus, when you accept eLearning,
you make yourself ready for the future.
- Do you want to expand the boundaries of your classroom? More
specifically, would you like to reach out and train people all
around the world? ELearning shall help you achieve this.
Is it Bad for Me?
Are there some disadvantages too? Will this acceptance cause you
certain discomforts?
Initially, yes!
It will expect you to stretch and to learn. You will be learning:
- A new terminology
- A new way of presenting learning
- A new method of enabling, reinforcing, and assessing learning
So, it’s up to you. Do you want to look at these as opportunities
or as disadvantages?
Ah! But I Fear…
Are you afraid?
If so, what are you afraid of?
- Do you think that eLearning will result in the redundancy
of trainers? (Only the role shall become a bit different;
trainers would become facilitators – otherwise nothing will
change. In fact, for some types of learning, on-ground training
are expected to hold sway over online training.)
- Do you feel that you may not be able to expand your skill-set
quickly enough? (eLearning is a different medium…that
is all. Instructional design drives learning effectiveness in
all types of learning. Compare the discomfort experienced by your
parents when they first used a washing machine to wash clothes;
or a microwave oven to bake! The principles stayed the same, only
the medium of washing/cooking changed.)
- Do you think that you will be required to build an entirely
new competency towards which you may not be inclined? (If
you like to train and you have adequate command over language,
you have the required set of competencies. You don’t have
to become a programmer or a graphic designer, to make eLearning
content.)
Change is something that scares us, because it introduces the risk
factor – in form of the unknown. When we know a danger well,
we also know how to overcome the danger! We’ve learned the
protection mechanisms well, and so we aren’t afraid anymore.
The risk of unknown makes us feel vulnerable – because, we
don’t know what weapons would be needed for protection.
Thus, the first step towards eliminating your fear of eLearning
is to know it. This small attempt would probably help you see how
eLearning can make you a more effective trainer, and thus motivate
you to explore it further. Explore it, acquire the new competencies,
and march into the future with confidence!
Author: Shafali R. Anand
This work is licensed under a Creative
Commons License.
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