What I've Learnt From Consulting With eLearning
By Sandra Dallimore - Instructional Designer
Having been involved in learning and development for many years, mid-last year, I took a step into the world of eLearning. I’d had some experience prior to this, but hadn’t previously been involved in consulting to clients interested in eLearning.
After joining Aframe, I gallantly took on my first couple of clients when the opportunities presented themselves.
So, what have I learnt so far?
A large part of the consulting process with clients is managing their expectations of what eLearning can and cannot do, and helping them understand how eLearning can be best applied in their organisation. Often, part of this is managing their expectations around what value they get for their money. There are always clients that want the ‘Rolls Royce’ solution for the ‘Holden Barina’ budget. The circle just doesn’t fit the square hole!
I’ve learnt that clients tend to hold eLearning on a pedestal and see it as something that may revolutionise their training, or, they look to eLearning without applying some basic Learning & Development principles. If you’re not dealing with Learning & Development folk, then it’s back to basics.
To get the ball rolling…apply these three simple steps:
- What are the knowledge and skills that need to be learned - your learning outcomes?
- What is the most effective learning method for each learning outcome – demonstration, reading, listening, performing a task?
- What is the best delivery medium for each learning outcome – eLearning, face-to-face, self-paced workbook?
Example:
A client wanted to migrate its member database system training from classroom training to eLearning. Using the simple 3-step process, we mapped out the following sample learning outcomes:
| Learning outcomes | Most effective learning method | Best delivery method |
| Overview of the member database | Reading, listening | Face-to-face, eLearning |
| Look up member details in the member database | Explanation, demonstration, simulation | Face-to-face, eLearning |
| Look up account balance | Explanation, demonstration, simulation | Face-to-face, eLearning |
Having established the possible delivery methods, a number of other factors now come into play. To name a few:
- are the learners all in one location or multi-locations?
- how many learners are there?
- are there any diversity issues to consider (learning disabilities)?
- can learners do training at the same time?
In our example, the learners are shift workers dispersed across Australia, making face-to-face training the least effective method of delivery. With a large workforce, eLearning was deemed to be the best solution. Also in eLearning’s favour is that this training will be used for all new starters as part of their induction.
So when consulting with clients to develop eLearning, it’s important to keep in mind and remind clients that eLearning is just one delivery medium and you still have to apply the basic L&D principles I’ve outlined here.
From here, you can begin to explore the many ways that the eLearning modules can help meet the client’s desired learning outcomes and ultimately produce highly skilled, productive employees.
About Aframe:
Aframe is a leading Australian e-Learning content development and delivery provider that released its first e-Learning product in 1998 and has developed the sophisticated yet easy-to-use Learning Management System (LMS), Aframe OLAMS™. Aframe has successfully developed and delivered highly engaging online learning, induction, compliance, product knowledge and system/technology content to a broad range of Australia's leading organisations. Aframe is part of the ASX listed Salmat Group, one of Australia's leading customer communications companies with 8,500 employees and 30,000 contractors which are distributed over a wide range of businesses and 60 worldwide locations.
For more information please contact Aframe:
1800 037 499
www.aframe.com.au
