Profiling the perfect e-learner

As a starting point, if you’re going to enjoy e-learning, it helps if you like learning in general. Michelle Gleadall, who works for learndirect, has participated in the highly-successful Open University e-learning course, You, Your Computer and the Internet: “I have always wanted to learn. Although I often find it a bind, in a way I really enjoy it, and get a lot of satisfaction from it. If I didn’t have this, I don’t think I could possibly get through all the courses I’ve done.” Phil Lidster, a management development specialist from Birmingham City Council, is in agreement: “I don't know if there is anything about my personality or experience that makes me particularly suitable for e-learning. But I have (nearly) always enjoyed learning - whatever the medium or style. So I don't prefer e-learning to other approaches - but I do like it.”

Perhaps e-learning suits some learning styles more than others. Professor Paul Gamble is Director of the Virtual MBA programme at the University of Surrey: “I don’t know whether there is a type of learner that is best suited to e-learning, but there’s no doubt that learners differ in how they like to learn. All students on the MBA take the Honey and Mumford learning styles test. Once they know their preferred style, they can select one of four variations in the course materials, designed specifically to reflect their preference.”

There is also a body of evidence pointing to the fact that some people prefer the social dynamics of the online world to the classroom. Gleadall: “Although confident in my learning and certainly not antisocial, I am probably not as sociable and confident as I would like in a group. This means that, for me, e-learning is rather an easy option, because I don’t have to physically sit in a group and speak in front of a large number of people. Although I don’t dislike this, I feel much more comfortable and at ease communicating over a computer, whether it be emailing, submitting documents, or taking part in an online chat.” Professor Gamble agrees: “Some people will open up more online. They have more time to ponder over their responses and can provide more thoughtful answers.”

Profile of the perfect e-learner

Likes to be in control Well-organised

Likes learning Conscientious

Self-motivated IT literate

The right personality certainly helps. Lidster: “As a learner I have always wanted to do things 'on my terms' and have therefore taken responsibility for my own progress. Maybe this is why I get on with e-learning? I have plenty of scope to do my learning when and where I want.” Gleadall is also aware of the importance of self-motivation: “I am quite self-motivated, which I think is vital in e-learning, as there are no set hours or classes, and I need to be able to find the motivation from somewhere to force myself to sit at the computer and read. I am also conscientious – that is, I keep up with the course work as much as I can, as we often need to do online group work and I would not like to let my fellow group workers down by not being up to speed.”

Technology is another important part of the equation. Suzette Castle is a Business Development Manager at Unipart: “A good e-learner needs to be patient if using a slow PC as download times can be very frustrating! Slow PCs can completely destroy the experience, so a good e-learner needs to make sure they have the appropriate technology.” Gleadall recognises that IT literacy is also important: “I use computers on a daily basis, and am a very confident user, which I think is important for e-learning. This means that I can just concentrate on the learning content, and not worry about learning to use a computer too. I can also decide with a high level of confidence how to record, store and display information effectively for learning purposes.”