The thought of a customized online training program gives most business owners a warm and fuzzy feeling shortly followed by a parade of “what if’s”. As simple as it is to imagine the positive effects online training could have on company culture and employee effectiveness, it’s three times as easy to visualize the immediate repercussions – especially monetarily. Amidst current economic turmoil, decision makers need to know that their investment will pay dividends before reaching into their pockets, something the US Department of Education(ED) may have taken a step toward providing.
According to a meta-analysis released in June 2009 by the ED, online training has distinct and definite advantages over face-to face instruction when it comes to teaching and learning in higher education. The US Education Department examined all types of instruction and found that positive results appeared consistent for all types of higher education across a wide range of disciplines. The department also noted that this meta-analysis differs from earlier studies which generally found that online education and face-to-face teaching were similarly effective on issues of learning.
The report attributes much of online learning’s success (blended or entirely) to time factors, which allow students to go at their own pace instead of a predetermined set time for a classroom group. The report went on to say: “Studies in which learners in the online condition spent more time on tasks than students in the face-to-face condition found a greater benefit for online learning” (xv). This might seem to be an obvious conclusion, but a great deal of importance must be placed on the way online learning allows the learner flexibility. In short, students respond positively when they are allowed to spend more time going over certain data and less time on other material at their own discretion.
Another pattern the analysis revealed was that video and quizzes in online learning did not appear to increase learning effectiveness, yet, interactive media which placed students in the driver seat did. The study went on to say: “Online learning can be enhanced by giving learners control of their interactions with media and prompting learner reflection.” (xvi) This places a premium value on software that utilizes multimedia to engage students and tests their knowledge retention interactively.
Although much of this surveys results are directed toward higher learning, the valuable variable that provides insight for business owners is the student’s level of education. These findings coupled with the time and travel benefits derived of instituting elearning translates into enormous cost savings and more effective training for companies, something business owners can hardly afford to overlook.
For more information about how elearning can work for your company or institution, check out the cae website.
