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eLearning has many advantages over traditional in class training: Costs around 40% less than classroom If its replacing classroom training, then ongoing costs associated with trainers, venues, travel and accommodation are eliminated, making eLearning about 40% less expensive than instructor led training according to the American Society of Training and Development. (source:http://www.astd.org/LC/2005/0605_walliker.htm ) For example Dow Chemical had annual savings of $34 million through reductions in the cost of course development using eLearning. (Source:http://www.wbtsystems.com/news/release/1320 ) Time away from work reduced by about 50% eLearnings return on investment (ROI) is further enhanced by reducing lost productivity whilst in training. According to a range of research projects, eLearning delivery time is about 50% faster than classroom delivery. So a half day training course can be done in about 2 hours online. (source: http://velocitymg.com/explorations/leveraging-learning/what-training-costs-part-iconverting-content-from-ilt-to-wbt/ ) For example KPMG Consulting estimated three (3) years to train its 22,000 employees through classroom training. Using a mix of classroom and e-Learning they trained 8,000 staff in twelve (12) weeks. (Source:http://roiassessment.com/files/Internet_Week_Nov_6_2000.pdf ) Automated administration saves time Using a learning management system with functions such as self enrolment, automated progress and results tracking and certificate generation, results in significantly reduced administration time in manually undertaking these processes. Available anywhere, anytime Learners can fit the learning to their schedule and location and do the learning just in time for its application to the workplace, unlike traditional training that may produce a large lag between learning and workplace transfer. Also rigid classroom schedules can lead to dropout and partial completion, especially for time poor learners. Rural learners are often disadvantaged by the lack of availability of training, eLearning can eliminate this barrier. Our eLearning is available anywhere, anytime and offers greater flexibility to the student with 24/7 availability 360 days per year.

Centered on the learner Self-paced eLearning can be undertaken when needed, repeated, and worked through at the learners pace, not at a pace set by the trainer. Activities are controlled by the learner so if they dont get it first time, they can do it again, seek help and so on, unlike classroom training where often there isnt time for individualised support. Learners can often select their own pathway through the learning, in any order, in small chunks and so on. If you miss a classroom day or miss what was said, its gone until it can be rescheduled. eLearning can be repeated as required. Accommodates different learning styles eLearning can blend interactivity, animation, information, sound and video elements accommodating auditory, action and visually dominant learning styles. The use of emotional narrative can immerse the learner in the material, further engaging their left and right brains in the learning. The use of chat, social media, and online collaboration closely aligns with the communication preferences of digital natives. It also accommodates shy and reflective learners who may be unwilling to engage in classrooms, but feel more secure to engage through online channels. Provides immediate feedback Learning can be tested both formatively (to check learning progress) and summatively (to test outcomes). This allows learners to verify their understanding as they go, ensuring they have mastered one chunk of content before progressing. Fast, low cost, easy governance eLearning course content is located in one place and can be quickly updated. Governance processes can be automated through content and learning management systems to ensure courseware is automatically flagged for review, approval, recertification, archiving and so on, It can also easily be made branding and standards compliant. Paper based materials require costly and time consuming document control, updating, reprinting and distribution processes. Real time reporting Through a learning management system, learner progress tracking and assessment can be completely automated saving time and money in administration. Reporting can be drilled down to managers enabling them to gain real-time oversight on the risks carried by their department and the professional development progress of their direct reports. Greater alignment and transparency Through a learning management system and well crafted courseware, an organisation can achieve e line of sight between strategic aims, operational objectives and individual development planning, ensuring everyone is working together towards the same goal. 60% improvement in learning consistency A study by Gregory Adams of multi-media based learning found that it produced an improvement in learning consistency of around 60% over classroom training. (source:http://www.karlkapp.com/materials/elearningadvantages.pdf ) 100% consistent message and branding

eLearning eliminates the problems associated with different instructors delivering the training slightly differently each time, and even an individual trainer being in different moods. Over 90% rate of satisfaction The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) post-course evaluations showed that 94% of students rated the online learning experience as either "satisfactory" or "very satisfactory." Blended learning Good instructional design, whilst always tempered by budget, matches the delivery approach and channel, to the content and audience, for the best outcome. A US Department of education meta-analysis found that blended learning delivers better learning outcomes, than classroom or eLearning alone. (Source: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-basedpractices/finalreport.pdf )

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Whats in it for you? What are the benefits?

Youve probably got some inkling of the benefits of e-learning or you wouldnt have gone looking for it but here are a few of them: 1. Travel costs = zero May as well start with the no-brainer. Many organizations are currently putting a lockdown on all travel for employees, while still expecting training delivery to persist. This plays very well to elearning, as it has no travel cost. If you want to argue the benefits for e-learning, start there. With increasing numbers of home workers, bear in mind that their travel costs can also be reduced as they dont need to get into an office for training events. It helps to have a few stats to support this: Dow Chemical reduced average spending of $95 per learner / per course on classroom training, to only $11 per learner / per course with electronic delivery, giving rise to an annual saving of $34 million (Shepherd, 2002). 2. Marginal cost of delivery = zero The cost of e-learning is all in the production. Theres no marginal cost of delivery rolling our elearning to 100 or 10,000 learners costs the same, assuming youre not producing thousands of CD ROMS (and if you are we assume you are also still listening to tapes in your ghetto blaster to score double retro points). No classrooms, no additional trainer costs, no lunches and binders. Nice for your CFO and the environment, lest we forget. 3. Learner time is better spent E-learning is generally shorter than classroom training on the same subject by up to 25-60% (according to Brandon Hall, 2001 and Rosenberg 2001). Time is compressed in e-learning, as you dont have all the logistics that come with the classroom: welcomes, introductions, setting up and winding up sessions, breaks and the like. Since the biggest cost of any training is learner time spent in training, this makes a big difference to the bottom line. Need an example? Ernst & Young cut training costs 35 percent while improving consistency and scalability. They condensed about 2,900 hours of classroom training into 700 hours of web-based learning, 200 hours of distance learning and 500 hours of classroom instruction, a cut of 52 percent. (Brandon Hall, 2000). 4. It works for specialist content too Dont think you have to be at the 1,000+ learners level before e-learning makes sense. The cost per hour of e-learning can be dramatically reduced by using low-cost or open source tools, and taking on some tasks in-house. This means that even quite specialized areas which may have small audiences can still use e-learning and from a cost perspective come out better than they would with a classroom alternative