A place for e-learning

So what is the ideal environment for e-learning? Julia Jones, of Drake Learning Systems believes that it all depends: “Given that learners have decided to take an e-learning course, the best place for learning is anywhere that the learner feels most comfortable. Individuals have their own preferences for learning within diverse environmental conditions: silence or background music, bright or low light, sitting up at a table or lounging in a soft chair, extended work periods or frequent breaks, working in the morning or afternoon.”

Jones continues: “It is important for an employer to recognise that they will need to provide adequate time for staff to spend learning during a working day. By actively encouraging staff to learn, and giving the appropriate support, they can dramatically improve the likelihood that learning will take place.”

We should not be surprised that there is no clear cut best place for e-learning – life rarely affords us that luxury. It is quite clear that work environments differ, learner preferences differ and so do the requirements of the subject matter. Trainers would be well advised to find out what their audience prefers and then shape their solution accordingly. In any circumstance, they need to back up their decision with appropriate support – online, by telephone or face-to-face – and the clear message to employees that learning is an important part of being at work and that appropriate times and places should and must be made available to make that a reality.

Where to e-learn: the pros and cons

	Pros	Cons
At home	You can shape the environment to meet your needs. You have control over when you learn. You have the support of your family.	You need a PC and an Internet connection, but the cost of providing this will be down to you. Unless you have broadband, Internet access can be slow. No face-to-face access to tutors and fellow learners.
At the desktop	You get learning when you need it, without delay. Your office network will probably be faster than a normal dial-up connection. You have the support of your manager and fellow workers.	No good if you don’t work at a desk. You may suffer from interruptions. No face-to-face access to tutors and fellow learners.
In a learning centre	You are likely to have access to a fast network. You will not suffer from interruptions. You are likely to have face-to-face support. You may benefit from the discipline of a formal learning environment.	There needs to be a learning centre available to you. You have to travel to wherever the centre is situated. The centre is unlikely to be available all hours.