Virtual Classrooms, Actual Education

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Following are some tips for successfully using e-learning in your company:

Develop a culture that values e-learning as much as traditional face-to-face education. If students get the message that online courses are somehow second-rate, they'll take them less seriously -- if they take them at all.

Build e-learning into regular employee milestones such as orientation, performance reviews, and required refresher, compliance, or continuing-education training.

Promote the e-learning initiative in newsletters, e-mails, and brochures, on bulletin boards, and at staff meetings. Remind employees what's available; alert them whenever there's a new offering.

Focus on the desired result as much as on content. Why do you want employees to engage in e-learning? What should they know or achieve once they've finished a class? How will you assess their understanding?

Remember the learner's point of view. "Think 'I'm the learner here. What's it like to go through this experience?" Gilroy advises. "If it doesn 't appeal to you personally, it probably won't appeal to learners, either."

Use a familiar interface such as a standard Web browser or Microsoft Windows interface. That way, people don't have to master a new technology before taking an online course.

Include an interactive element. If possible, let participants interact with an instructor or with each other. If not, at least include options such as self-quizzes or simulations, which let them test and apply what they've learned.

Acknowledge employees who complete significant courses. Reward them publicly or privately. Seek their feedback about how offerings might be improved.

Sidebar: E-Learning Resources

About.com Distance Learning Site
Articles, links, glossary, FAQ, online study tips, recommended reading. Focuses on degree-granting programs, but includes information useful to business learners as well.
distancelearn.about.com/

All Online Schools
Comprehensive guide to accredited degree-granting programs
www.allonlineschools.com

Distance Education Clearinghouse, University of Wisconsin
Definitions, FAQs, resources
www.uwex.edu/disted/home.html

Distance Learning Resource Network
News, links, general information on instructional strategies, methods, and technologies
www.dlrn.org/

Eduventures Inc.
Research and analysis on education industry, including corporate training and e-learning
www.eduventures.com

eLearners.com
Portal site for all types of e-learning programs
www.elearners.com/

eLearn Magazine
Web-based publication covering online learning and training
www.elearnmag.org/

OnlineCollegeDegree.net
Focused primarily on degree-granting programs, but includes a directory of vendors offering workplace e-learning programs as well
www.onlinecollegedegree.net/Workplace_Training/

Otter Group
Organization specializing in Web-based education. Site includes e-learning blog, white papers, and other resources.
www.ottergroup.com

U.S. Distance Learning Association
Non-profit organization promoting distance learning for education and training
www.usdla.org/

U.S. Small Business Administration
Online training in business-plan writing, financing, marketing, taxes, accounting, exporting and more
www.sba.gov/training/coursestake.html

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