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Today, e-learning is gaining momentum as an effective employee training tool with boring classroom sessions making their way out.

Over the years, the industry has come to realise that the return on investment as compared to the cost of induction of e-learning into the learning process is much greater. The scalability/standardisation e-learning offers is difficult to obtain from any other form of training. "Its biggest advantage," according to Vaishali Vaid, head process excellence and learning organisation, KPIT Cummins, "is its global reach. If you're located in different parts of the globe, e-learning helps you reach and cover all your employees, while ensuring consistent quality of training." However, another major attraction is that it is considered cost-efficient. "Classroom training involves cost of travel, boarding and lodging (if it is off-site) and also, loss of productivity when the learner takes the day/days off from work. By utilising e-learning capsules, you can save on the recurring costs such as that of trainers, venue, etc," explains Mohandas Menon, VP, education, QAI. 

Induction of this new medium of learning often requires organisations to organise drives and squeeze in the new learning techniques into classroom learning first, in order to get employees accustomed to using the new applications. "Unlike classroom training, e-learning does not impose any fixed hours of study. The learners, therefore, need to ensure that they plan and set out definite timelines to complete the online courses," says Menon. Dr Renu Khanna, global head, leadership development, Mahindra Satyam, elaborates upon the requisites for an effective capsule, "Providing reading material, lectures and powerpoint presentations is not enough. Learners need to get a feel of the business and hone their overall problem-solving skills. A simulation of real-life situations and problems would be more beneficial than a lecture on how to face them; or incorporating customer feedback might help develop a broader perspective." The new e-learning tools are: 1) Asynchronous e-learning facilitated by podcast, e-mails, discussion boards, etc offer flexibility to users as they can access content whenever they feel like; 3) Synchronous e-learning facilitated by instant messaging, chat-rooms, video broadcasting, etc allow users to feel more involved and less secluded and 3) Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS) empower employees to perform tasks with a minimum amount of external intervention or training. It is therefore evident that e-learning is the new e-mployment mantra!

- Tanya Thomas

The writer can be contacted at tanya.thomas@timesgroup.com