E-learning and Context!

‘Context’ is an interesting term. For most things we do we want to know the ‘context’. May be it is a result of being ‘adults’ – of being able to think independently.

‘My needs need to be met. Whatever you offer must be customized to my needs!’-is an oft heard term.

Some days back I was having a conversation with a colleague on how we could make e-learning efforts more effective. She asked ‘What can we do to ensure more acceptance and usage of e-learning?’.

I reflected on how I had felt when I had taken e-learning modules and what I had heard from others who had taken these modules.

‘Content is standard. It is not customized to our workplace requirements.’

‘Content is good. But how do I use it on my job? I am not sure. I felt great when I took the modules. But here I am 5 months down the line and I am not sure what has changed.’

‘It is boring to study alone. Classroom learning is much better. You can talk with people and share your experiences.’

‘Customization’ and ‘Context’ seem to be the 2 lacks in e-learning modules.

What can be done about these?

Should we revert to only classroom and on-job learning efforts?

Or should we see ‘how to build context into e-learning and customize e-learning to our needs?’

Do the solutions only lie in design of e-learning modules? Should we focus on creating more customized e-learning modules? But that always comes at a cost and you always run the risk of quick redundancy.

For that matter even in case of classroom training (ILT as I heard someone say J), program contents/design can be customized only to a certain extent.

I feel the answers lie in looking at what supporting structures can we use along with e-learning to build context and customize content for each individual learner.

A few things that can be done:

• Use a ‘blended learning approach’- Blend e-learning along with classroom learning efforts. So e-learning is one part of the learning process and there is a ‘classroom like’ forum which is instructor led and where you have peers who are struggling with same/similar problems. ‘Classroom’ like can mean a proper in-person classroom session, a virtual classroom, a conference call where everyone dials in, etc.
• Necessity for learning discussions between the boss and subordinate as primary driver of learning effectiveness still exists. These discussions have to be pre-program (on what you want to take out from the sessions), post-program (what have you derived from the sessions and how you want to implement them), and review sessions (how is the progress). E-learning can only support this primary driver.
• Come out with other formats in which you create two elements of classroom learning that learners most relate to: 1) presence of an instructor; 2) peer discussions we learn from. What can be these formats? I am still searching for answers! Can you suggest some?

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Sourav