Economical Employee Training
By Bonnie Bucqueroux
Many firms are finding that the most efficient and affordable way to update their IT staff's skills is through off-the-shelf or customized online training.
We're on the cusp of a dramatic revolution in education and training. With the emergence of online learning, the next generation of students may never again settle for sitting in a corporate classroom while an instructor attempts to impart skills or knowledge as if one size fits all.
Online learning in its many forms has steadily gained ground each year. Corporations, especially those with far-flung offices, use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to educate new hires on company policy or to teach basic skills through self-paced learning modules. Even small companies are adding product tutorials to their sites.
In the case of general knowledge, subscription or for-fee courses designed by others can provide immediate savings. Even if designing specialized courses exceeds the price tag for face-to-face training, there may be economies if the course can be used repeatedly with minimal updating. Moreover, in an uncertain economy with employees who may be reluctant to travel, offering people flexible opportunities to learn at their own pace, at work or at home, can be a benefit.
However, whether online learning succeeds or fails may ultimately depend on how well Web designers and developers address the four Cs: cost, customization, communication, and community.
Cost
Obviously, cost is the most important consideration when you're deciding whether to build or buy an online learning program.
