Having purchased a in-house e-learning development tool, I now seem to be in a position where I have an "embarrassment of riches" - my organisation is asking for in-housedevelopment of new courses over and above the resource available to deliver it (ie me!).
I have always seen e-learning the best option when:
- it is for a large audience
- it is training on knowledge or skills (or laying the foundations of them)
- we need to "track" people's usage
- it requires short, sharpish chunks of learning.
So, I created a small form which I use internally when talking to people who want e-learning, which identifies the size of the audience, nature of the training (eg knowledge, skills, attitude), the location of the audience, and the objectives of the learning program. The form is designed to identify whether e-learning is the best or most appropriate solution.
Now to my problem. Having developed 5 courses in-house since May this year, I now seem to be receiving more and more requests in the form of "we need training on xyz knowledge/product/process next year, and we'd like it on e-learning."
I'm delighted with the interest (and faith) the business is showing in e-learning, however somehow I have to manage the flow of work, and not just accept that e-learning is the only option.
Does anyone else have any other forms or frameworks they can share with me which can help identify whether e-learning is the most appropriate option? If all these requests for next year are "valid", this therefore means I need extra resource doesn't it? ;-)
Thanks in anticipation.
Rob Foster
4 Responses
Resources
How many staff do you have and how many courses of what e-learning duration are you planning? Are the courses already in existance in paper format or are they all ‘from scratch’ creations?
Let us know the information above and I will get you some facts and figures from our training division.
Sounds like you have scored a big hit but are feeling a victim of your own success!
Lime One Ltd
0870 240 4325
Personnel, Employment and Health and Safety Law consultants.
Thanks for the prompt reply!
Thanks for the prompt reply Robert.
We have a total staff complement of 1300, however not all products are aimed at all 1300. The largest single audience would be approx. 800, the smallest I would say 20-30.
The majority of courses are developed from scratch, and my gut feeling tells me the same will apply for next year.
Definately scored a big hit with the users, and am more than happy to be a victim of my own success!!
Thanks again.
Give Craig Worcester a call
Craig is our online training expert, and in his previous role was involved in over 100 global e-learning implementations. There isn’t much he doesn’t know about e-learning, its benefits and limitations, methods of delivery and management of e-learning and I know he’d be happy to give you some free advice. He can be contacted direct on 01434 381136
Give me a call
Rob, The best thing you can do is to take each option on its merits and choose whether or not they are valid. This obviously gives issues regarding budget and resources, so it starts to come down to whether you can be proactive (get all the options up front) or reactive (judge each one in turn). Either way I have a framework we use with clients that would work, but it sounds to me like you need to look at the long term and how you can be efficient and effective in your role. If you need any further advice please fell free to contact me via e-mail or phone (0161 428 1200) – I have worked on both sides of the fence, building in house and external for organisations.
Good Luck.