EVALUATING e-LEARNING INITIATIVES

June 3, 2013

Periodically, you should step back and objectively evaluate your e-Learning initiatives. In doing so there are several criteria you should examine.

Have your enrollments increased, decreased or stayed relatively flat?

(Your learners are, subjectively, telling you something about your offerings. Word of mouth is communicating to you in a positive or negative way. People will endorse your selections if they feel that those offerings have value to their future success, and the attendant personal rewards.)

Do your learners actually complete the e-Learning programs you offer?

(Nationally, more than half do not. Remember that the tracking results of your administrative system or LMS are making a valid assessment of the communication value of your offerings. Ask yourself, “Why did so many fail to complete the course?” In many cases it will be because you are trying to pass off converted PowerPoints as e-Learning — a grievous mistake.)

Are the trainees’ immediate supervisors happy or displeased with the transfer of knowledge from the classroom to the shop floor?

(If the e-Learning you are offering does not translate into more efficient and effective on-the-job performance that, too, is telling you something about the quality of your offerings. After all, the transfer of performance objectives in the classroom should have a direct correlation to the trainees’ performance in your plant. And their supervisors should be encouraged to give you feedback as they are the ones who will see a direct correlation between the training you provide and actual job performance.)

Of course, there are other evaluation tools like cost control and time savings but if you track the above three you’re going to have a pretty good idea. If you are honest with yourself, you’ll quickly discover if your e-Learning initiatives have been a success — or failure.

Ultimately, management will evaluate whether or not you have positively contributed to reduced expenses, increased revenues, and/or increased market share. Be sure you are on the right side of that evaluation!