How to keep e-learners online - Executive Summaries

T+D, Oct, 2002 by Caron Osberg

Even e-learning proponents admit that most users don't complete online courses. They don't find the material they want or need fast enough, they run out of time and need to get back to work, or they just get bored. Go-workers interrupt, phones ring.

You can make some online courses mandatory; you can aggressively market internally. But the most effective approach is building collaborative components into your organization's online training solution to foster learner interaction. Collaboration tools include threaded discussions, chat sessions, and virtual classrooms. Online course dropout rates go down when participants learning the same subject engage with each other.

Osberg cites the example of Berlitz International's worldwide e-learning system, in which courses aren't considered completed until participants go to an electronic bulletin board to answer three questions already posted there and add three of their own. The system is based on real-time, text-based communication.

Because learning is a social process for most people, notes Osberg, emails and even phone calls can create an e-learning community in which the online lessons are reinforced and enhanced.

For complete text, see page 45.

Reprint TD100245

To purchase a copy of this article, go to the ASTD Online Store at store.astd.org.