Can you go the distance? - Internet/Web/Online Service Information

Communications News, April, 2001 by Carren Bersch

Let the Knowledge Olympics begin.

The torch of e-learning is ablaze. Like Olympians of ancient Greece, global communications rivals stand poised to compete freely according to the rules of the new knowledge game. Spectators wait anxiously for the delivery of media content via Internet, intranets and extranets, satellite broadcast, audiotapes and videotapes, interactive TV, and CD-ROM.

To the victors will go the spoils: a worldwide educational market currently worth $2.1 trillion, according to W.R. Hambrecht & Co.; the software market alone is currently worth $33 billion.

Spectators will gain, according to Michael Wenger, director of e-learning for Sun Microsystems' educational services, "a continuous learning capability, delivered whenever and wherever it is needed: K-12, and field service engagements or assembly line. Anywhere, anytime, for anyone on a variety of equipment."

Implementing an e-learning strategy means bringing together the best the market has to offer in people, content, software and services--whether the environment is corporate, academia or government/military.

"It is both the human and technical infrastructure of online learning environments that create the opportunities for new knowledge and understanding," affirms Lisa Jobson, U.S. program coordinator of the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN-USA).

To produce the simplest distance learning scenario presents a complex challenge: to maintain equilibrium while moving at the speed of light--for what is cutting edge today could be passe tomorrow. LogicBay founder Paul Tobin advises clients to "think big ... start small ... build fast," in this rapidly changing arena that is revolutionizing the way corporations deliver training, a market alone anticipated to be worth $12 billion by 2003.

GOING FOR THE GOLD

Admission to the Knowledge Games requires a heavy investment up front, with no profit realized for several years. The benefits of e-learning, however, override major concerns about initial costs for many corporations and institutions, which look to the long-range advantages--simplified logistics; lightning-fast delivery speed; convenience, ease of use, improved retention and flexibility for e-learners; quality, consistency and just-in-time information for businesses; and the global reach of any training session or classroom.

A plethora of technology companies are developing the software that propels e-learning. LogicBay's launch of ARISS 2000 CBT, a computer-based training program, enables the U.S. Army Recruiting Command to quickly and consistently train nearly 12,000 recruiters worldwide. Century 21 Real Estate Corp. uses enterprise collaboration software from Centra to deliver live training over the Internet to 75,000 real estate professionals.

Learnframe developed the Pinnacle Learning Manager, which automatically connects to nearly 11,000 courseware titles, representing 65 vendors who integrate the learning management software into their computer-based training (CBT). The company also provides a learning center, large online learning libraries, and an integrated e-learning system for the delivery of learning content in an e-commerce environment.

Knowledge Anywhere develops Web-based e-learning solutions, including more than 140 continuing education courses for insurance, securities, certified public accountant and certified financial planner professionals, who must maintain licensing complaince.

Instruction Set, an education solutions provider, offers both instructor-led and Web-based training, focused on training and retraining the technology industry.

LearnShare, a consortium founded by 13 Fortune 500 companies, serves as a learning portal solutions center. "Employee knowledge has become a strategic tool and competitive necessity," says Lois Webster, general manager. Web-based courses--500,000 with curriculums adopted from Stanford University a n d The London School of Economics--are available to 2.5 million employees worldwide, and are delivered through five global learning providers: THINQ, Unext, QuicKnowledge, SkillSoft and Ninth House.

RAISING THE BAR

According to Merrill Lynch's profile on corporate training services in the U.S., education and development is the number one source of competitive advantage for companies. Statistics gleaned by the American Society of Training and Development show that over the next 10 years an estimated 74% of Americans working today will require retraining; 15 million manufacturing jobs will demand different skills than called for today; 37 million people will need entry-level training; and technical skills will require updating every four years.

Corporations already have begun to replace complicated and cumbersome training sessions that require employee travel and lost time from work, as well as costly hotel and airline fares, with Web-based and/or computer-based training. Presently, about 11% of corporate training programs are conducted through computer interactions, streaming video or the Internet.