| E- Training | | | | quantifiable. The reduction of time spent away from |
| *M.K.DURGAMANI | | | | the job by employees may be the most positive cost |
| Introduction | | | | reduction |
| E-Training has undergone | | | | 3. Consistent delivery of content is possible with |
| explosive growth as enterprises have discovered it | | | | asynchronous, self-paced |
| advantages as a cost effective, flexible alternative to | | | | e-learning. |
| maintaining a knowledgeable, skilled workforce. With | | | | 4. Expert knowledge is communicated, but more |
| one-third of corporate training now online. E-Training | | | | importantly captured, with good e-learning and |
| has become the new learning paradigm. | | | | knowledge management systems. |
| Not surprisingly many of these | | | | 5. Proof of completion and certification, essential |
| early programmes presented formidable challenges for | | | | elements of training initiatives, can be automated. |
| human resource and training executives. Too much | | | | |
| time and money went into selecting the right learning | | | | Disadvantages to the organization: |
| management system, the necessary hardware, | | | | E-learning is not, however, the be |
| integrating E-Training into the corporate network and | | | | all and end all to every training need. It does how |
| purchasing the courses. All to often, insufficient | | | | limitations, among them |
| attention was devoted to ‘managing the | | | | 1. Up-front investment required of an e-learning solution |
| introduction” of new learning initiatives into the | | | | is larger due to development costs. Budgets and |
| organization, designing the right mix of online and offline | | | | cash flows will need to be negotiated. |
| instruction or finding appropriate ways of motivating | | | | 2. Technology issues that play a factor include |
| the staff. A number of new approaches are | | | | whether the existing technology infrastructure can |
| currently being introduced to provide better support for | | | | accomplish the training goals, whether additional tech |
| overworked managers. | | | | expenditures can be justified, and whether compatibility |
| Business are also turning to | | | | of all software and hardware can be achieved. |
| E-Learning has found sweet spot knowledge-intensive | | | | 3. Inappropriate content for e-learning may exist |
| industries where employees were already familiar with | | | | according to some experts, through are limited in |
| technology. | | | | number. Even the acquisition of skills that involve |
| Any learning that utilizes a | | | | complex physical/motor emotional or emotional |
| network (LAN,WAN or Internet) for delivery, interaction, | | | | components (for example, juggling or mediation) can |
| or facilitation. This would include distributed learning, | | | | be augmented with e-learning |
| distance learning (other than pure correspondence), | | | | 4. Cultural acceptance is an issue in organizations |
| CBT delivered over a network, and WBT. Can be | | | | where student demographics and psychographics |
| synchronous, asynchronous, instructor-led or | | | | may predispose them against using computers at all, |
| computer-based or a combination. | | | | let alone for e-learning |
| Benefits or E-Training or E-Learning: | | | | Computer Based Training (CBT) |
| 1. Like no other training form, e-learning promises to | | | | In traditional training the trainer |
| provide a single experience that accommodates the | | | | may not exactly follow the consistency in several |
| tree distinct learning styles of auditory learners, visual | | | | work locations. He may not be able provide the |
| learners, and kinesthetic learners. | | | | same quality from place too place. But CBT: |
| 2. More efficient training of a geoghraphically dispersed | | | | - Provides management systems for tracking trainees |
| audience; and reduced publishing and distribution costs | | | | progress and location. |
| as web-based training becomes a standard | | | | - Provides standardization of training when training |
| 3. E-learning also offers flexible and individualized | | | | occurs in several work locations simultaneously |
| instruction, which print media cannot provide, at great | | | | CBT can reduce resource requirements |
| cost reduction. | | | | In traditional training process the |
| 4. In conjunction with assessing need, e-learning | | | | trainer should complete the training within a particular |
| courses can target specific business performance | | | | period. The training process may take more than the |
| needs. | | | | resource requirements. But with CBT:- |
| 5. Synchronous e-learning is self-placed. Advanced | | | | - You can have a higher trainee-to-trainee ratio, where |
| learners are allowed to spped through or bypass | | | | the instructor serves as facilitator, assisting trainees as |
| instruction that is redundant while novices slow their | | | | needed. |
| own progress through content, eliminating frustration | | | | - There is less need for a centralized training facility. |
| with themselves, their fellow learners, and the course. | | | | Facilitators can serve more than one company with |
| 6. Well-delivered synchronous e-training education, and | | | | CBT programme, lessening the investment each |
| technology like message boards, chats, e-mail, and | | | | company world have to make. |
| tele-conferencing enhances the learning value | | | | - The average time taken to a particular lesson can be |
| significantly. | | | | reduced with CBT because some trainees may take |
| Advantages to Learners and Students: | | | | less time and more trainees may take more time |
| Along with the increased retention, reduced learning | | | | because of their understanding of the lesson. |
| time, particular advantages of e-training includes | | | | |
| 1. On-demand availability enables students to complete | | | | |
| training conveniently at off-hours or from home. | | | | CBT can improve job performance |
| 2. Self-pacing for slow or quick learners reduces | | | | In traditional |
| stress and increases satisfaction. | | | | training all trainees may not be able to follow the trainer |
| 3. Interactivity engages users, pushing them rather than | | | | correspondingly. Come trainees may need more time |
| pulling them through training. | | | | to get good performance in a particular lesson. But |
| 4. Confidence that refresher or quick reference | | | | with CBT:- |
| materials are available reduces burden of responsibility | | | | - The trainer can continue on the lesson as long as he |
| of mastery. | | | | she does not get the good performance on the lesson |
| 5. Student support procedures and monitoring systems | | | | - Trains people in specific skills for specific |
| are constantly applied: at learners are never alone. | | | | performance. |
| Disadvantages to the learner and students: | | | | - Trains people in general skills that broadly effect |
| 1. Technology issues of the learners are most | | | | general performance. |
| commonly technophobia and unavailability of required | | | | - Provides increased access to information tools for |
| technologies. | | | | decision making |
| 2. Portability of training has become a strength of | | | | Conclusion |
| e-learning with the proliferation of network linking points, | | | | Online training may revolutionize |
| notebook computers, PDAs, and mobile phones, but still | | | | corporate education, but it still has some bugs: |
| does not rival that of printed workbooks or reference | | | | Employees like the convenience, but miss the face-to |
| material. | | | | face interaction. Teaching employees online-using |
| 3. Reduced social and cultural interaction can be a | | | | everything from self-paced, web-based tutorials to |
| drawback. The impersonality, suppression of | | | | video-conference, instructor led classes-is faster and |
| communication mechanism such as body language, | | | | more flexible than traditional corporate training |
| and elimination of peer-to-peer learning that are part of | | | | programmes. It’s easier to upgrade: you can |
| this potential disadvantage are lessening with | | | | update course materials with the click of a mouse. It |
| advances in communication technologies. | | | | can be cheaper and offerings cover the gamut, from |
| Advantages to Organization: | | | | technical know-how to operational techniques to soft |
| 1. Reduced overall cost in the single most influential | | | | sills like leadership development. Of course, E-Training |
| factor in adopting e-learning. | | | | has its shortcomings. While just about every company |
| 2. The elimination of costs associated with | | | | that implements E-training say cutting costs is a big |
| instructor’s salaries, meeting room rentals, and | | | | draw, the savings are not always that significant. |
| student travel, lodging, and meals are directly | | | | Moreover, not all workers are receptive to it. |