The Training Platform: Why the resistance to e-learning?

It seems e-learning is everywhere these days and held up as a flagship of flexible learning giving everyone (no matter how busy) the opportunity to learn something new.

However, not everyone is a fan. In fact, some people are very resistant to e-learning. So who doesn’t like e-learning and why?

The most commonly referenced opponents of e-learning are students. While it’s true some people simply prefer face-to-face learning, many dislike e-learning for other reasons (typically because they have previously had a negative experience of e-learning).

Unfortunately, some e-learning isn’t delivered very well. Often, this is because the emphasis is on the ‘e’ and not on the ‘learning’. Computers are only a tool to deliver learning: courses still demand high quality learning materials as their backbone and experienced trainers and mentors to ensure training’s delivered to a high standard.

How technology is used in practice

The problem is often not technology itself but the way in which that technology is used (this will not be surprising to anyone who has had to endure a PowerPoint presentation by someone who’s a little over-enthusiastic about animation effects!).

Poorly-designed systems (eg where you have to click through seven or eight different pages to reach the information you want) and inadequate IT support (such as slow systems that may be prone to crashing) only serve to compound problems still further.

Another difficulty with e-learning is that it’s too often commissioned as a money saving exercise. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to save money, of course, but many organisations fail to realise the costs associated with setting up a good quality online training course.

Furthermore, some topics don’t really lend themselves to e-learning. There’s the classic example of employees being taught empathy from the comfort of their offices through an e-learning package rather than engaging with colleagues.

Lack of buy-in from educators

It’s not just learners who are resistant to e-learning. We would argue that the crux of the problem – what is actually limiting the growth of e-learning – is a lack of buy-in from educators.

First of all, some trainers prefer face-to-face contact with their learners. This allows trainers to get to know learners, and it’s easier to pick up on those occasions when someone is struggling with the material.

If you’re using an e-learning platform trainers have to rely on the learner to tell them if they have a problem which can make it harder to resolve the issue.

Second, it actually takes more skill and time to develop good quality learning materials for e-learning. This is because trainers have to ensure messages are communicated fully minus the luxury of continuous, face-to-face contact with the learner.

It’s also possible that some educators are nervous of e-learning because of its association with mature students. While it’s fantastic that e-learning has created more opportunities for mature students to engage in learning, some educators fear not being the ‘expert’ in their field.

Mature students have more life experience and are often more willing to ask challenging questions. This can be intimidating for the educator, particularly if their previous learners come from a limited number of backgrounds.

On that basis, it’s important to ensure educators come to e-learning with the right attitude, both with regards to developing good quality materials and their approach to interacting with learners.

Why mindsets should change in relation to e-learning

From our point of view, e-learning is the way forward. Contrary to popular belief you can teach more with e-learning than you think: the Open University has more than 600 distance learning courses available at present while private providers teach a wide range of courses (from languages through to IT and business skills) using e-learning.

Second, raising the standard of e-learning courses, and emphasising the benefits, will encourage participation. For example, complementing good quality e-learning materials with mentoring and/or face-to-face workshops can enhance the learning experience (this is sometimes known as ‘blended learning’). Ensuring courses have a vocational value, and incorporating practical exercises and assignments, will also enhance e-learning.

e-learning makes it easy to be a life-long learner (something which we should all be aiming for). e-learning reaches a wide range of people. This is arguably because e-learning is more accessible than face-to-face courses. e-learning:

• offers the mature student the opportunity to fit learning in around existing work/family schedules
• can be beneficial, and even liberating, for those students who may have difficulty accessing learning centres (either due to physical disability or lack of money for transport, etc)
• represents a positive approach to training young people who are already used to accessing information via their mobile phones and the Internet

For those who are nervous about engaging with a wider range of students, our advice would be to embrace this process. With a little thought and creativity, e-resources can be tailored to ensure they’re accessible for students with disabilities (for instance visual impairments, dyslexia, or motor injury), from different levels of knowledge (eg beginner, intermediate, advanced) and/or different backgrounds (in terms of country and/or culture).

For educators who fear not being the expert, instead of shying away the trainer should embrace and encourage debate. They are well-placed to act as ‘chairman’ in any online forum discussions, and should ensure there is a link to learning (by bringing discussions back to the focal point when conversations veer away at a tangent).

The trainer should not be there to dictate what is right and wrong. After all, there are few subjects where there’s a clear-cut answer. Rather, they are there to share knowledge and encourage learning.

What’s the bottom line here?

e-learning is nothing to be afraid of. The message for learners is to give e-learning a chance. Shop around for the best courses and look for reviews from past students to help inform your decisions.

The message for businesses is that, yes, e-learning is a good thing but it should not be solely used to save money. Instead, investment is needed to ensure e-learning packages are fit for purpose.

The message for educators, meanwhile, is simple: if you’re not enthusiastic about e-learning, how can we expect learners to be? Don’t be afraid of e-learning. Embrace it and see where it takes you.

Ken Livingstone (managing director) and Amy Burrell (training consultant) are with Perpetuity Training

Further information about… Perpetuity Training

In 2010, Perpetuity Training won the Security Excellence Awards category for Security Training Initiative of the Year on the basis of it distance learning programme for The Security Institute.

Over the years, the organisation has developed exciting, interactive online training platforms which allow tailor-made specialist training packages to be delivered anywhere in the world.

Perpetuity Training also offers a range of face-to-face short courses, including Level 4 professional awards in Managing Security Surveys and Security Management.

All of the company’s short courses can be adapted to meet the needs of individual businesses, and bespoke training services are offered.

For more information call 0116-222 5550 or e-mail: training@perpetuitytraining.com