During the time I've been working within the world of live on-line learning, I've come across a number of challenges from stakeholders around the environment in which our learners log into sessions from...i.e. where they do the day job. "It's a bit hectic and noisy in the operational area to learn effectively" they say, or "a day in the training room gives them a nice break from the world of BAU, it's important that we don't take that away"
Initially my thoughts were around how we might influence the property team to help us set up dedicated areas (live on-line cafes anyone?) in which learners can come and log in from. However, clearly this would add some costs back into the equation but really importantly there is also research around that shows that it's actually beneficial for learners to remain in their usual space...there's a summary of an interesting study in point 6 here that highlights learner's ability to recall information increases when tested in the environment that they've learnt this within. The more I think about this, the more it makes sense. It might be nice and comfy to sit in a posh training room learning about overcoming objections but how realistic an environment is this and how prominent are the ideas and techniques I learning going to be in my mind when I get back my desk? Work by Itiel Dror here also supports this idea
For me, this actually turns these concerns around environment into positives and another great benefit to live on-line learning. Has anyone come across any similar studies?
Replies
Hi Duncan,
I think of "on the job" training when I think of the point these studies are trying to make. That is different to trying to do an e learning course in your office where you are distracted by your colleagues phone calls, chats etc and can be interrupted by people popping in to see you. We offer our managers the opportunity to do e learning at their own desk (compliance training modules) but a number of them prefer to come to the training room to do it, saying they would never finish it otherwise.
:)