Martyn Sloman, director of Management Education and Training at Ernst & Young, examines the impact that the Internet will inevitably have on the training profession and the case for e‐learning. He presents the results of his research and analysis through a series of 21 propositions that each either summarise an argument or offer general advice.
He first considers the connected economy and its business impact. The transparency of information provided by the Internet and the increased competition that accompanies it, provide two of the drivers that demand effective training if an organisation is to achieve its objectives or compete successfully.
He then takes a critical view of what is currently happening in training with regard to e‐learning and goes on to explore a new paradigm for training in the form of learner‐centred interventions, that draws on business, learning and traditional training models.
The rest of the book examines how those involved in training might meet the challenges posed by the Internet and avoid making costly mistakes along the way. It considers how to develop the agenda for the organisation, and the changing role of the trainer, stressing that the traditional skills, though delivered in a new context, are still essential. The book concludes by considering wider social issues, highlighting the fact that whilst e‐learning has the potential of offering enormous benefits to a large number of people, it also has the potential to disadvantage some individuals.
Throughout the book Martyn Sloman focuses on the learner and encourages the reader to seek out opportunities for using e‐learning as an enabler to enhance learning, resisting the temptation of being distracted by the technology and using it for its own sake.
The thought‐provoking and challenging propositions are clearly anchored on theory. These are further supported by case studies from a selection of diverse organisations, including BBC Online, Hanover Housing Association, CERN and the Post Office, and focus points that clearly define terms or develop specific points mentioned. The clean page layout clearly identifies the latter by placing them on a shaded background.
Although it offers no simple solutions, this book offers valuable suggestions to equip readers to recognise the issues facing the training profession, and provides an excellent foundation on which to base discussions and establish a pathway forward for developing an effective strategy for dealing with the e‐learning revolution.
