Page 190 - DMGT518_TRAINING_AND_DEVELOPMENT_SYSTEM

Unit 11: E-Learning

In the asynchronous approach, the learning takes place with time delay (time shift) as well as the Notes
trainer and learner are physically separated from each other (place shift).

Example: Asynchronous learning include; self-paced courses taken via Internet or
CD-ROM, videotaped classes, stored audio/video, web presentations, recorded audio tapes, and
reading e-mail messages.
In this approach, the trainer prepares the courseware material before the course takes place. The
learner is free to decide when and where he wants to study the courseware.
The advantages of asynchronous approach are many. For example, the learner not only can learn
from any place of his choice but also at a time of his own convenience. The cost of asynchronous
learning is quite lower than synchronous learning. The learning material is prepared, corrected
and validated in advance for quality and consistency. However, there are disadvantages in
asynchronous learning.

Example: There is no scope for an instant question-answer session and listening to the
perspectives of other learners. The learner is cut-off from other learners and the trainer, at the
time of learning. This brings a big challenge of understanding the content of learning mainly by
self-perception without having an instant opportunity to question, challenge or listen to others.
In the absence of human interaction it is likely to cause boredom to the learners.

11.1.2 Significance of e-learning

There are several reasons why e-learning is gaining significance. Important among them are,
learner-friendly technology, networked environment, geographically distributed workforce,
compressed business lifecycles, instant learning solutions, high cost of traditional training
methods and the challenges of work-life balance.

The continuous efforts of technology giants the world over have brought in user-friendly learning
technologies at affordable prices which were unheard in the past. The workplaces and living
homes are being networked with sophisticated communication devices, thereby paving the
way for information from anywhere in the world, anywhere and at any time.
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The workforce in the 21 century is no more confined to a particular geographical location. The
necessities of business have forced even members of work teams to get themselves distributed
across the seven continents and still work together for accomplishing the team goals. Thus,
when employees of any organization are dispersed across multiple geographies; it will be quite
difficult, uneconomical and impractical to call them to a common place for classroom training.
This problem can be solved easily by delivering the learning content to the workplaces of the
respective employees with the help of e-learning solutions.

The business and product lifecycles have compressed substantially in the ever changing world
of business.

Example: Intel, the world’s largest computer chip maker releases new processors at
every six months’ interval.
Thus, when business cycles are shortened, organizations cannot afford to send their employees
away from work for several weeks or months to undergo classroom training. Under these
conditions, organizations want employees to learn and perform simultaneously right from day
one, by deploying the e-learning solutions.

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