Ten Tips for Getting Learners to Take E-Courses
Carliner puts forth the idea that one of the problems several institutions has when implementing an online or e-learning training is getting employees to use these options over more traditional face-to-face courses. He gives ten tips on things organizations can do in order to help improve the number of employees that use or take advantage of these e-learning options.
The ten tips include helping learners select courses, provide a tool for ratings and recommending courses, offer a certificate or certification, offer a “frequent learner program,” offer rewards to managers who support e-learning, offer live demos, promote e-courses in organizational communications, provide excellent learner support, and use more than one technique to engage learners.
Several things are emphasized repeatedly in this article. One is to offer as much help as you can to the learners as they are beginning the courses and going through the entire process. The support could be moral support, time – such as time at work to work on the class, and most importantly technical support for any computer issues. Another item emphasized is the importance of giving some kind reward – certificate, certifications, or recognition within the organization.
When looking at education, starting within the secondary setting, students are assisted with what they should and should not take for courses. It only makes sense that this concept would continue into higher education and training. Helping students make decisions on what to take will not only help them make better decisions, but make them feel more comfortable with the choices that they make. Also, giving the learners recognition when they have completed a course or certification program is a great moral booster. Everyone likes to be recognized when they have accomplished something. This also lets the other employees know that the management recognizes what the employees are doing in order to further their education and to be life-long-learners.
Providing support systems with any program is important, but especially with e-learning. As I look at all of the technical issues that people experience on a daily basis with traditional face-to-face learning and the support that is needed, it is only magnified with e-learning. Have support available to the learners not only for technical issues, but also ways that they can also get moral support to encourage them when things are not going the way they thought they would or are having a rough time. Letting the learners know that someone is out there that cares may seem like a small thing, but it can truly make the difference to students.
Carliner, S (2008, January). Ten tips for getting learners to take e-courses. Retrieved October 9, 2008, from Learning Circuits Web site: http://www.learningcircuits.org/0108_carliner.htm