| If you work for a small business or a
division of large company, your training options most likely are limited to taking a
continuing education or non-credit course through the local community college or
university, attending an off-site public seminar or (if you're lucky) going to a
conference workshop. In some cases, your company might rent training videos or purchase a
computer-based training course. Since more companies are
providing their employees with access to the Internet, now you have the option of taking
online courses.
What to consider
Here are some things to consider before you look for an online
course:
 | What do you want to learn? Develop your learning objectives by
completing this statement: "After taking this course, I will be able to..." Use
this statement to determine if a particular course will meet your learning objectives. |
| What's your personal learning style? Most learners feel more
comfortable if they know there is an instructor available to guide them and answer their
questions. Others people prefer to learn at their own pace. Many learners like to interact
with other attendees through discussion groups or chats. Visual learners like more
graphics than text. Other learners prefer to listen to narration than read text. Choose a
course with delivery methods that are compatible with your learning style. A self-study
course may not be right for you if you learn best with an instructor and group discussion.
If you prefer a self-study course, determine the extent to which you can control the pace
of the course and determine the order in which to take lessons. |
| Where do you plan to take the course? Decide ahead of time where
you'll take the course. Will you take it at your desk or at some other location? Plan to
take the course where you'll be free from distractions and interruptions. Some people
choose to take their course before or after work hours. (See Late Breaking News below.) |
| How much time can you realistically devote to the course? Some
courses can be completed in an hour or two. Others may take a week or more. Match course
duration with the time you have available. |
| What type of computer system do you plan to use for the course? Your
computer's Internet connection and processor speed will determine how well the course will
run on your system. Some courses require plug-ins, such as Flash. A few courses may not be
accessible or run properly because of your company's network configuration or firewall. In
some cases, the vendor can adapt the course to your Internet hook-up. |
| How much can you or your company afford to pay? Courses can cost
anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. In general, technical and computer
courses cost more especially if certification is involved. A course with a live
instructor, chat sessions and multimedia will also cost more than a self-paced one with
limited media. |
What to look for in an online course
Once you've determined your learning needs, style, location and
budget, you're ready to go to the learning portal of your choice to find an appropriate
course. Consider these factors when choosing an online course:
| What level of training does the course offer? Some online courses are
designed to help you learn a specific work-related task. Other courses are intended to
provide general knowledge about a particular subject. Still others prepare learners for
certification on computer applications. |
| Does the course provide an appropriate level of interactivity? The
course should be interactive enough for you to practice new skills. Look for exercises
that challenge your skill and knowledge. |
| Does the course have a valid pre-course assessment? An effective
course will give you an opportunity to find out what you already know so you focus on the
lessons you need to learn. At the same time, there should be a valid post-course
evaluation to measure whether you've achieved the course objectives. |
| Does the course have an independent review and rating? Course quality
varies widely. Even courses that are offered by the same vendor could have different
levels of quality. Check reviews and ratings by independent sources such as Training Media Review. |
Answering these questions for each course you're considering will
make it easier for you to compare similar courses and to choose the right course to meet
your learning needs.
Late breaking news
Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS (#171) published an executive
summary of his recent Learning Decisions Newsletter research on the ability (and
preference) of learners to learn at their desks.
Findings:
|
47% said they would want to take an important e-learning event at
their desks. |
|
29% were most likely to take an e-learning offering at their desk
during work. |
|
35% said it was fairly easy to concentrate when they take an
e-learning offering at their desks. An equal percentage reported that it was a bit
distracting. |
| 43% said interruptions from colleagues stopping by made it difficult
to concentrate on e-Learning. |
The results were based on 2,474 responses from learning and training
professionals during the week of May 15, 2000. For more information about this study and
about Learning Decisions Newsletter, follow the link at http://www.masie.com.
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