Why is e-learning so unpopular?

Over the years I have spent many thousands of hours in conversations with l&d people. As you would expect, there is some commonality in the sorts of questions I get asked. Over the next few weeks, I am going to try and answer those questions in a series of posts, not because I have any problem with answering the questions directly, but for the benefit of all those l&d people whom I never get to meet.

The first is: Why is e-learning so unpopular?

In reality, this sentiment is not always expressed as a question. It�s just as likely to be phrased as �I don�t like it�. Either way, it deserves a response.

First of all, some clarification. What type of e-learning are you talking about? Virtual classrooms? MOOCs? Online video? Podcasts? Games and simulations? No, that�s not what people mean. They mean instruction delivered in the form of interactive tutorials for the individual learner to complete at their own pace. What once was called computer-based training (CBT).

Then we need to check whether it really is unpopular and with whom. Well, clearly there are lots of success stories with e-learning and not all because of huge cost savings. Some e-learning is very popular because it is very well conceived and executed, it�s engaging, relevant and easy to use; but, let�s be honest, not many people would put it top of their list of favourite ways to learn - and particularly not l&d people, as the annual CIPD surveys tend to show.

Now l&d people have lots of reasons not to like e-learning, so we have to be careful about taking their opinions too much to heart. After all, unless they are actively engaged in some aspect of learning technologies, they probably see it as one hell of a threat (a topic I�ll be taking up in a future post). There�s also a danger that they take it upon themselves to speak for others who actually have very different opinions.

But we need to answer the question. Given that some e-learning is unpopular with some people - and I think we can all agree on that - then why is that the case and what can we do about it?

• Is it because it only works for people with some learning styles? No, I hear that all the time and it�s a rather feeble excuse. Even if we could agree on some reliable way to categorise people�s learning preferences, I doubt if it would help us to understand their reaction to e-learning. A much more useful indicator is prior knowledge, on the basis that those with a greater understanding of a topic will find the rigid format of structured instruction rather frustrating - they�d probably prefer just to get the information straight.
• Is it because it requires people to do too much reading? Possibly, for some people, although e-learning doesn�t have to involve a lot of reading. If the learner is quite happy reading magazines or books, then the problem is unlikely to lie in too many words. To call e-learning a �page turner� is derogatory; but a novel that�s a 'real page turner' is a hit. On the other hand, reading from a screen is more tiring, so very wordy e-learning might be to blame in some cases.
• Is it because the process of self-study is isolating? I don�t think this is a problem in short bursts, i.e. an hour or two here or there, but protracted self-study is unlikely to be many people�s preference. Why? Because, we are social creatures, and we like to share, reflect, compare, clarify, discuss, dispute and gain feedback. Self-study in a blend is fine. Self-study as the sole medium has limited application.
• Is it because the subject matter is not interesting or relevant? Now we�re talking. I don�t know what proportion of e-learning is mandatory, regulatory training of some sort, but it�s a lot. Unless this type of training is incredibly well designed and delivered it is going to be resisted or, at best, tolerated. If e-learning is associated closely with compliance, it will be unpopular.
• Is it because of the way the subject is put across? Possibly; in some cases because it is unprofessionally presented, though this is not such a major factor; in some cases because of poor usability; much more likely is that it is presented in what Cathy Moore calls �corporate drone� and is lifeless, abstract and devoid of meaningful context.
• Is it unpopular because that�s the prevailing view? Perhaps. Peer opinion is powerful. It�s hard to say you really like something if the view of the crowd is that it�s naff.

The thirty year legacy of self-paced e-learning being more bad than good is hard to overcome. If we think the instructional tutorial is worth persisting with as a form, then we certainly need a new name. More importantly, we need many more great examples of highly engaging, adaptive and relevant materials that we can use as a model and an opinion shaper. As ever, I�m still optimistic.

Share this

Classic