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The learning portal: uniting training systems for e-learning success
By Sybille McCloghrie
Gartner has identified e-learning as one of 2004's hot technologies, but South African companies which have invested millions in implementing e-learning solutions are finding that these solutions are not being taken up by targeted users. Key to creating a true learning organisation, says SYBILLE MCCLOGHRIE, director of Tilos Business Solutions, is a learning portal that unites various training systems under one banner.
In their drive to implement e-learning, organisations
have made mistakes arising from their unfamiliarity with the overall
requirements of an e-learning solution. e-Learning offers many advantages
over traditional training systems and may in most cases be a superior approach
to training delivery. However, the vast number of e-learning suppliers, and the
wide variation in technology, functionality and services only add to the
confusion around effective e-learning implementation. That's where the learning
portal comes in.
An e-learning portal that is compatible with most content authoring tools has
the ability to consolidate disparate learning management systems and diverse
content under one umbrella, allowing for a diversity of courseware to be
incorporated into one consistent front-end.
The e-learning portal is the glue to a learning solution within an
organisation. It provides a company with one place of learning, enabling users
to log into the portal and have access to all training content, learning management
systems, HR systems and more. Also, any third-party system within an
organisation can have access from the portal where required.
For an e-learning programme to be accepted by its intended users, it must be
relevant. This means it must be aligned with an organisation's values and
goals, have the support of senior management, and be linked to all other HR
systems, such as performance management.
A portal interface allows clients to push information down to users based on
comparisons to key performance indicators (KPIs), balanced scorecards,
analytics, and performance management, rather than relying on people to pull
down the information in an erratic or unstructured manner. Thus existing
investments in technology and related e-learning assets can be exploited to
their fullest extent, while change management and adoption issues are
minimised.
An e-learning portal is also fundamental in addressing compliance issues, as
well as reports for the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), for
those organisations wishing to claim back part of their Skills Development Levy
for training that has been undertaken. A solution that offers some standard
reporting functionality will enable you to add further elements through simple
configuration rather than customisation. Thus total cost of ownership (TCO) is
not prohibitive when it comes to scalability.
Blended learning
The "blended learning" approach incorporates classroom-based
training, ad hoc content training and self-study learning over the Web - all of
which can in turn be incorporated into a learning strategy. This results in
reduced learning and training costs through reduction in travel and
accommodation expenses, as well as less time in the classroom.
This integrated learning management environment is ideally suited to providing
the robust and interactive assessment and analytical platform required to
deliver summarised and high-level training information to management to
facilitate and quicken the decision-making process. An e-learning solution that
features this component provides the ability to store, mine and extract
learning data in the organisation into simple, readable, statistical
information.
A standard framework of learning
It is key to an organisation's growth to provide a single place of learning in
a company. There should be a single look and feel for the organisation and a
standard framework of learning.
A proactive system can push down the right information at the right time and
place to correspond with the profile of a person in terms of career and
development paths. This gives learners access to the training
content/information they need to perform their jobs, which in turn allows
critical business decisions to be made faster.
This also assists in the initial creation and the constant reinforcement of
corporate identity, within the e-learning space, via one view/entry point of
the portal and logon that can be customised to the organisation's brand.
From a corporate social responsibility perspective, the learning portal can be
extended to the greater community and families of employees for literacy
training, for example.
Contact
Sybille
McCloghrie, Tilos, +27 11 847-5555, Sybillem@tilos.co.za
Nestus Bredenhann, FHC
Strategic Communications, +27 11 608-1228, nestus@fhc.co.za