The commercial success of e-learning techniques has not been accompanied by the same optimism by the teachers and educational staff who use it, according to two new surveys.
Cedefop, the European centre for the development of vocational training, carried out the two surveys ('E-learning and training in Europe' and 'Users' views on e-learning') and presented the results at the E-learn expo in Paris and Learntec 2002 conferences, both at the beginning of February. The surveys found that while suppliers of e-learning products and services have shown year on year increases in revenues of 70 per cent, only 17 per cent of teachers and trainers who responded in the survey felt that they were well equipped in terms of their skills to use e-learning techniques.
The gap between the upbeat news from the commercial side of e-learning, which now accounts for over 30 per cent of public and private suppliers' revenues compared with 18 per cent two years ago, and the concern of the users, needs to be addressed, according to a Cedefop spokesperson. Many people in the industry paint a very optimistic picture and, to some extent, they are right. But when we listen to the views of those who might deliver e-learning, those who should benefit from it, and the people who are expected to develop the content, we find that confidence often lags a long way behind the general optimism.'
The surveys also indicated that some EU countries had embraced e-learning techniques more than others, with Finland, Germany, Spain and France being particularly receptive.
