School's out (online learning in businesses)

School’s out (online learning in businesses)

Thomas K. Computing, 8 February 2007, Start page: 22, No. of pages: 3

Purpose – to consider the revolution that has taken place in employee training within businesses through the introduction of online-based electronic learning (e-learning). Design/methodology/approach – the rapid transformation of business training that has taken place under the influence of e-learning and the considerable boost that has been given to e-learning in the workplace by the advent of the internet and the emergence of Web 2.0 World wide web innovations is considered in the light of the recent experiences of companies that have applied these techniques. Takes the example of Xerox’s Learning at Xerox e-learning portal to illustrate how the company used the latest e-learning techniques for the training of the company’s 50,000 global employees, with one of the latest applications being its use in training employees in Lean Six Sigma methodology. Findings – the advent of Web 2.0 technologies, such as weblogs (blogs) and wikis, has been shown to have the potential for providing two-way communication in the learning process, in contrast to classroom-based instruction which was one-way only. Provides other examples of how such technologies can be applied, including the Doctors.net.uk web portal that allows doctors throughout the UK to collaborate with each other,receive training and share knowledge. Illustrates the points made in the article with particular reference to a brief case study involving Allen & Overy and the views of selected industry experts. Originality/value – offers useful guidance to companies considering introducing e-learning as the medium for their training.ISSN: 0307-8965

Keywords: Internet, Learning, Organizations, Software tools, Teaching,Teaching aids, Training