Culturally accessible e-learning: an overdue global imperative

Article Type: Abstracts From: Human Resource Management International Digest, Volume 17, Issue 6

Edmundson A. T + D (USA), April 2009, Vol. 63 No. 4, Start page: 41, No. of pages: 5

Purpose – Discusses how US firms that are developing e-leaning for their global workforces can ensure that these take account of cultural differences. Design/methodology/approach – Indicates American Society for Training and Development that highlights that many US companies have lagged in delivering training for their international operations. Focuses on how e-learning can help with this, cautioning that it needs to be culturally accessible. Describes training courses that have been delivered by US companies to employees in other countries to illustrate the need to customize training to meet local needs and how to do this. Findings – Argues that even the most visual training programmes may need translation; that examples used in training need to be localized to take into account local differences in procedures; that reusable learning modules that can be plugged into e-learning courses should be developed that address different cultural styles and experiences; and organizations need to recognize that some courses need to be developed that specifically address the different cultural interpretations of concepts such as leadership. Underlines the need to carry out a cultural analysis of the needs of learners from different cultures to achieve the right blend of translation,localization, modularization and origination. Originality/value –Describes how to develop cross-cultural e-learning. ISSN: 1535-7740 Reference:38AL036

Keywords: Training, Computer-based training, National cultures