How This Book Is Organized
The e-Learning Fieldbook is designed to provide the critical information and expertise you need to build and deploy a vibrant, dynamic learning strategy that effectively utilizes e-learning technology, content, and services. The experiences of the organizations who contributed case studies to this Fieldbook verify that the question is not whether to use e-learning as a component of an overall strategic learning portfolio. The fact that e-learning is a critical aspect of a total learning continuum is established beyond doubt. The question has become how best to ensure that the e-learning employed is targeted, cost-effective, engaging, easy to access, and complete. Thus, this Fieldbook is organized into two resources that convey this information as you venture into deeper and broader e-learning initiatives:The e-Learning Fieldbook, and its companion on the Web, www.elearningfieldbook.com
The e-Learning Fieldbook:
Part One: Lessons from the First Wave of e-Learning-What’s Working and What’s Not Working What You Will Find in Part One:
Part One of this book focuses on current trends, lessons learned, and valuable insights into many key aspects of an e-learning strategy. This part serves as a conceptual and applied how-to handbook, where you will find many topics of interest whether you are an experienced e-learning professional or just beginning the journey. The following table summarizes the content for each chapter in Part One to help you find the topics of most interest to you.
Chapter | Title of the Chapter | Main Themes |
|---|---|---|
1 | Does e-Learning Have a Credibility Problem? | • The First Wave of e-Learning• The State of e-Learning Today• The Second Wave of e-Learning |
2 | Does e-Learning Make Business Sense? | • How Can You Align e-Learning with Business Goals?• What Is the Business Impact of e-Learning?• Developing a Winning e-Learning Strategy |
3 | What Gains the Commitment of People That Matter? | • Gaining Top Management Support• Gaining Information Technology Support• Gaining the Support of the Training Department |
4 | How Do You Design Blended Learning Programs? | • What Have We Learned So Far?• Designing Blended Learning Solutions• Other Design Considerations• What is Next For Blended Learning? |
5 | What Makes e-Learning Technology Work? | • What are the Elements of an e-Learning Architecture?• What e-Learning Technology Architecture ImplementationOptions Exist?• What are the Challenges in Implementing an e-LearningArchitecture?• What Support and Maintenance Infrastructure is Required for e-Learning Technologies? |
6 | How Do You Measure e-Learning Initiatives and Results? | • Why Track e-Learning?• What Can Be Tracked in e-Learning?• Laying the Foundation for Tracking and Reporting• Designing and Building Reports |
7 | What Does It Take to Work Successfully With Vendors? | • Why Do I Need Vendors?• How Do I Select the Right Vendor For My Specific LearningSolution?• How Do I Know I’m Not Paying Too Much?• How Do I Establish Successful Vendor Partnerships? |
8 | What Motivates People to Engage in e-Learning? | • e-Learning Enablers• e-Learning Drivers• e-Learning Motivators |
9 | How Do You Launch e-Learning to a Global Workforce? | • Key Drivers for Cross-Cultural Adoption of e-Learning• e-Learning Culture Prints• Crafting a Multicultural e-Learning Strategy |
Part Two: How Organizations are Aligning e-Learning with Business Goals— 25 e-Learning Case Studies from Leading Organizations What You Will Find in Part Two:
Part Two includes twenty-five case studies from organizations that are successfully implementing e-learning solutions. Each case study is presented in a way that helps the reader apply the lessons learned to their own organization. The cases describe not only successes, but also the difficulties encountered in the journey—the pitfalls, surprises, discoveries, and warning signals—and the contributing organizations share these experiences so that others can make use of them to blaze new trails of their own. Case Chapter Structure and Design
Each case study includes the following descriptive information:
Introduction
How was the program aligned with the business?
How was the program designed?
How was the program deployed?
What was the business impact of the program?
Summary
Lessons learned
You will find additional useful information in each case study, including:
Company Facts and Figures
Why e-Learning?
Key Business Drivers
Media and Tools
Marketing Approach
Learner Perspectives
Lessons Learned
Check It Out Online!
www.elearningfieldbook.com
The e-Learning Fieldbook on the Web (www.elearningfieldbook.com):
To encourage the extension of your own learning continuum in a virtual world, The e-Learning Fieldbook companion Web site includes:
Examples of e-learning programs featured in this book
A number of visuals from this book
Useful resources, such as checklists, job aids, whitepapers, and samples
Links to additional information
The e-Learning Fieldbook Web site is envisioned as an ongoing dynamic exchange, and it is our hope that you will communicate with the author and The e-Learning Fieldbook Team to contribute your experiences, insights, challenges, and tips for others.