distance learning technology

For the same reason, putting content online that has little or no value is also a significant waste of time and effort.

You must demonstrate a justifiable need that links the initiative to performance improvement. inability to demonstrate this need has been the bane of e-Learning since its inception. It is easy to see when organizations do not have solid learning strategies. It is evident in disconnected, disorganized, and hard-to-access content, and is basically a vast waste of time,money, and effort. You drive a value- based approach to e-Learning by a clear, concise, and measurable strategy for the organization, and you must follow and evaluate this strategy.

Any e-Learning strategy must include methods for designing and deploying learning solutions, change management, communication planning, performance support solutions, and knowledge management services and technologies.

This will require:

• Training expertise. Understanding of adult learning practices and principles as the theoretical underpinnings of organizational learning initiatives; methods that focus on outcomes in an effi- cient, effective, and cost-effective manner; learning content management practices; and instruc- tional design and development methodologies.

• Training and development experience. An understanding of the field of learning and instruc- tional technologies and an awareness of the importance that training plays in an organization’s ability to maintain a competitive edge in a quickly changing global environment.

• Rigorous project management process. Understanding and adherence to proven project management techniques to ensure all projects are completed on-time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of our clients (internal and external).

• Available and emerging learning technologies. Familiarity and understanding of learning management system (LMS) and learning content management system (LCMS) technologies from both a theoretical and a practical standpoint.

• Business process. A keen awareness and understanding of how the business works, and how the learning and performance group plays a role in that endeavor. This is a return on value under- standing.

The development of an e-Learning strategy as a component to the learning strategy is a critical success point, and you should not take it lightly. However, this is not a long drawn-out process. You should recognize that development of a strategy is a point-in-time effort, that changes in the operational environment will occur, and that you must account for them and then recalibrate the strategy.