Preface - The ELearning Fieldbook [Electronic resources] : Implementation Lessons and Case Studies from Companies that are Making eLearning Work نسخه متنی

Preface

e-Learning is no longer a new phenomenon, but it has not ceased to be a hot topic.

Now that the first wave of e-learning implementations has been completed, companies are starting to uncover the reality of what works and what doesn’t work in the brave new world of e-learning. The e-Learning Fieldbook moves the dialogue about e-learning from theory into applications of this new methodology to real-time business challenges. It is the first e-learning business book that presents the lessons learned by leading companies as they have implemented e-learning strategies. The book is based on extensive case studies of best practices in e-learning and blended e-learning implementation from 25 name brand companies representing a variety of industries, global geographies, and organizational sizes, including: The Home Depot, JPMorgan Chase, Unilever, Wachovia Corporation, Deloitte Consulting, McDonald’s Corporation, INSEAD OnLine, BMW of North America, Prudential Financial, Oracle Corporation, and STMicroelectronics, among others.

This book is for everyone—business leaders, human resource development professionals, trainers and teachers, consultants, and students. The e-Learning Fieldbook explains what it takes to make an e-learning implementation succeed. The book also describes the critical issues and concerns confronting professionals in the e-learning environment, and gives insights into the most common challenges organizations have in aligning e-learning with business goals, designing e-learning and blended learning programs, and deploying e-learning solutions.

By reading this Fieldbook, you will be able to:

Learn from other organizations and avoid costly delays and pitfalls in your own e-learning initiatives

Understand the reality versus the hype in e-learning implementation

Explore the concepts, techniques, and approaches that are really working

What is the impact of e-Learning for the learner and classroom training?

I strongly believe that e-learning will put employees in charge of their own learning and growth. No longer will their access to learning programs depend upon management approval to attend a typically limited number of classroom learning events. The availability of e-learning programs will empower people to take practically as much e-learning as they want and need, and help them prepare for their next job.

Although, the uptake of e-learning keeps growing fast, it will be hard for many to leave behind the 1,000 year-old classroom model and tradition of learning. Human beings are social creatures, and this has not changed since the oldest university was established in Bologna, Italy. I strongly believe that face-to-face classroom events will continue to play an important role in learning, especially in areas such as:

Team building

Personal coaching

Networking

Culture building

As will be discussed in this book, e-learning enables an entirely different approach to the learning continuum. Now learning extends well beyond the classroom in a blended learning deployment model, powered by the virtual capabilities of e-learning. The importance of face-to-face classroom learning will be integral to this extended learning environment; however, it will be just one feature of a rich and varied approach to the learner’s continued growth and development.

I hope that you will gain many insights from this Fieldbook, and that you will be able to leverage the provided examples and concepts to make knowledgeable, creative, and professional decisions in your e-learning strategy.

Nick van Dam

nickvandam@elearningfieldbook.com