E-Learning As a Boost in Business Enterprises
E-Learning which is the short for electronic learning found its way into our vocabulary about a decade ago. Prior to this time teaching requires the presence of a teacher and students in a physical classroom but further development revealed that this may not always be necessary for learning to take place.
The uses of pre-recorded voice of a teacher for some training session seem to serve the interest of some who still believe the teacher should still be used for imparting knowledge. This has changed tremendously recently as needs continue to place demands on educators on the need to change and apply different teaching and learning strategies for more efficient and effective results now that the global society is driven by technology.
WHY E-LEARNING IN BUSINESS
In business enterprises, one might wonder what is the immediate need for e-learning as a mean of staff training and as the workforce could attend regular schools, seminars, workshops etc to continuously update knowledge. The need for a company to continuously keep its workforce in current trends in knowledge and information in their area of services may increase production and profit yields. But is there any convenient way or another method whereby there may be no need to take study leave to have an update course? The best way as a school of thought suggested is to bring knowledge into the door steps of the workers in addition to making knowledge acquisition and skill improvement part of daily routine activities in which case training programmes could be designed as standalone e-learning solutions from the experiences gained at work where the entire workforce could enjoy flexible, accessible learning programmes. The company website could serve as a portal for such training approach. On the other hand effective e-learning tools could be developed to provide information and knowledge for everyday support for workers as an enhancement for their daily routine and activities. Any of the above approaches could provide opportunities for collaborative learning where collective activities and knowledge sharing are paramount. There may be a stage in development where learning materials could be a direct product of employees’ documented experiences rather than those products from e-learning experts.
NEEDS ANALYSIS
As good and convenient as e-learning is there is always need for analysis of the training needs of company staff. No mistake should be made in addressing the training needs of the workers in order to forestall misdirected energy that may not lead to increase in yields, production and profits of the company. Business thrives when the workforce has the relevant but sufficient knowledge to carry out day-to-day running of production processes. E-learning solution should therefore be aligned to support appropriate working and learning environment. “When the search for information and know-how is seen as business related while at the same time offers employees the possibility of personal and career development then the proper conditions for learning at work are in place. These conditions for learning are pre-requisite for the effective utilisation of e-learning resources” [Attwell, G (2003) in 'The challenge of e-learning in small enterprises': Cedefop Panaroma. pg 5 Series; 82]
INTEGRATED NETWORKS
No man is an island so goes a popular saying. Business enterprises are therefore required to form a network of learning establishments where inter-company exchanges of solution, idea, strategies and knowledge could be promoted. Collaborative activities in knowledge sharing and training could merge expertise in a manner that will promote mutual relationship and joint ventures that may lead to the manufacture of products that will supercede an existing one thought out and made by a single effort of a company through digital technologies interdependence, interconnectivity are made easier and flexible making it possible to promote integrated networks.
The world is a global village and only global thinking approach can bring the best in business enterprises. So we should not think narrowly but globally for more globally beneficial results.
By: Olufemi Olubodun