Management Concerns with E-learning

Training is costly. The Return On Investment with training is sometimes difficult to measure. Moreover, it is sometimes difficult to convince management of pursuing an e-learning training path.

The initial start up cost can be costly. There is technological concerns with e-learning to include increased bandwidth, servers, learning management systems (LMS), learning content management systems (LCMS), software licenses, software programmers, graphic designers along with instructional systems designers (ISDs). However, the Return On Investment can be great. E-learning generally reduces the time spent at training (at Naval Submarine School we are still working the formula; however, a typical instructor led course is reduced 25% by becoming a blended learning course utilizing Interactive Multimedia Instruction [IMI]).

Moreover, some E-learning courses can be performed at the employee's leisure, hence not affecting work schedules. The greatest cost of training is not the initial cost of training; it is the lost productivity while the employee is attending training. Training will have to be worth the employee's time if it is expected for an employee to perform training during his spare time. A great motivator is to try to get your e-learning accredited by the American Counsel on Education (ACE). If your company driven E-learning is accredited to college or trade school credit, then employees will most likely be motivated to accomplish it. There can be other incentives for completing training such as financial, time -off, or promotion opportunities. This is perhaps the most difficult task of the E-learning ISD: correctly relaying the 'what's in it for me' message.