Weighing in on the debate about e-learning - Pros & Cons

I think I’ll weigh in on the debate about the pros and cons of computer based e-learning vs traditional classroom delivery. This debate has been going on for a quite a while, and is a question that often arises when we talk to our customers and prospects.  I’ve listed the pro’s and con’s of e-learning below, as I see it:

Successful e-learning is not just posting PowerPoint slides on an intranet and providing access!  Most organizations want to adopt e-learning for financial reasons, which although important, does not necessarily mean they will reach their overall goal of increasing their staffs’ competence.  e-learning can be developed in a way that addresses multiple learning styles, and addresses some of the above cons, but incorporating these methods in the e-training come at a very high cost.

So, while the debate continues between instructor-led learning and e-learning continues, I would caution organizations to consider their ultimate training goal is to increasing staff competency.  We recommend that organizations focus e-learning on knowledge-transfer activities, and continue with instructor-led training for skills based learning.