Does e-learning technology open up new corporate markets for universities and colleges?
Maybe.
Certainly employers like the convenience of online learning but, when it comes to enterprise-wide training, what they want most is content that is customized to their specifications and helps them to achieve very specific goals.
A recent survey by Chief Learning Officer magazine indicates that companies are increasing their investment in their own internal learning management systems, while reliance on “outsourced learning” is declining.
The author of the report, Cushing Anderson, says, “The clear first choice is developing in-house training options. This reflects a cost-savings attitude and recognition that relevance of instruction is critical to its value… These internally-produced courses are typically related to unique knowledge or processes within the enterprise.”[1]
For those of us in continuing education, I think this does open up opportunities for using our instructional design skills and subject matter experts to help corporate clients create customized programs. However, in my mind, the bigger opportunity is to do more of what we do best – enable individuals to continually refresh their skills, knowledge and insights.
Most employers can’t afford to help their staff members stay current within their profession or explore new career paths; that’s what they expect us to do, whether in face-to-face classroom settings or online.
Further they would prefer to invest in those who take charge of their own learning via tuition reimbursement and the good news is that investment in these programs is on the rise. According to the same Chief Learning Officer magazine survey, one quarter of employers expect to increase their tuition budgets in the coming year.
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References
[1] Chief Learning Officer, Sept. 2011, “The Road to Recovery” by Cushing Anderson, p. 50-52.
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