E-learning is set to double within three years but more practical work needs to be done on implementation if it is to be successful, according to a new survey carried out by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
The survey carried out to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the term e-learning being adopted found that half (49%) of respondents felt that e-learning had been over-hyped.
Most favoured a blended approach with 80% saying that e-learning worked best when combined with traditional methods of training.
Martyn Sloman, CIPD Learning, training and development adviser, said that e-learning remained "work in progress'.
"Organisations need to address the implementation of e-learning to ensure they have support from line-managers and to develop a structure that meets the needs of both the organisation and the employees," he said.
"However, the survey suggests e-learning has become increasingly embedded within the wider learning and development arena. Some organisations are taking positive steps to ensure e-learning works, with 57 per cent of respondents developing customised modules tailor-made for their organisation's business needs, rather than relying on generic, off the shelf packages."
Ninety per cent of respondents felt that e-learning demanded a new attitude to learning on the part of the learners.
Martyn Sloman added: "E-learning is an important tool in the training world and our survey suggests that its usage is going to double over the next three years. However, trainers must work closely with learners to ensure that e-learning tool is effective and meets the learners needs."
Key findings:
* Over 80% believe e-learning is more effective when combined with more traditional forms of learning.
* CD-ROMs remain the most popular method of delivery of e-learning, with 73% of respondents using them.
* 52% use generic modules of e-learning within their organisation.
* 58% of respondents feel the current generation of e-learning products does not demonstrate what the future will look like.
* 69% believe e-learning demands an entirely new skill set for people involved in training and development.
* 49% believe the contribution of e-learning so far has been over-hyped.
* E-learning usage will have doubled in three years time.
