E-learning definition for business applications

By TJ MacDonald |

I started out thinking it would be helpful for readers to have a definition of e-learning. I listed some definitions currently being used then I condemn some of them as “rubbish” that “stifle opportunities for profitable learning”. Was there a reason, or had I just breakfasted on grumpy-beans?

My criticism is not so much with inaccuracy of the alternative definitions of e-learning as with blinkered views that are too tightly focussed to embue e-learning with the exciting scope and potential that is evolving - especially for the business community.

For example, some e-learning definitions tie it to computers (as in computer assisted training). Others have it dependent on a central server or host computer from which ‘learning’ is distributed via the Internet or other network such as an internal ‘intranet’ using LAN or WAN technology (OK, that’s geek-speak for local-area-networks and wide-area-networks.)

The problem with these limited definitions is that they are viewpoints of people defining things in terms of their own experiences. If an expression fits what we are doing, we claim it. No wonder we have so many different slants on things.

Well guess what?

In the interests of objectivity (what’s the emoticon for big-cheeky-tongue-in-cheek) I’m going to brazenly lay claim to a definition that fits my world. It’s a simple definition that I hope everyday business people can relate to processes which can be used to guide market behaviour.

Quite simply, e-learning is…

Wait! First, we need to split hairs - to recognise subtle differences in meaning.

I was initially going to propose that e-learning is learning that is facilitated through electronic media. If you’re thinking “facilitated… ah, assisted by…”, then great! You get it.

I’m not concerned if learning ‘facilitated’ through electronic media conjures up negative images of an electronic puppet-master pulling strings. That’s only a problem for the idealistic, overly Learner-centric professionals who fail to appreciate the stake-holding of learning sponsors.

In the real world, results for stakeholders are important, and if electronic string-pulling helps achieve them, so be it.

Now with that little side-comment out of the way let’s return to the definition of e-learning that fits my world. One that is easy for everyday business people to relate to processes they can use to guide market behaviour.

Quite simply, e-learning is learning that occurs with the assistance of electronic media.

That includes learning that occurs during engagement (or interaction) with electronic media, as well as learning that occurs from interaction with others which is made possible through electronic media.

Online courseware is clearly intended to trigger e-learning. But so can humble email, listening to mp3s on a train, getting involved with forum questions and opinions, or connecting face-to-face with a few people over a live video link.

Not all e-learning activity is planned, produced and distributed on a massive scale. (Though its certainly easier to do so than personally visiting thousands of locations yourself.) However, regardless of the media and whether there is one person involved or millions, there is still one common, critical element

Learning requires the acquisition of new knowledge, skills and/or attitudes that results in change. Until change is apparent, the occurence of learning is debatable.

So ‘e-learning’ is not limited to any particular method or technology-based function such as ‘computer-assisted instruction’, web-based ‘courseware’ or ’synchronous conferencing’.

E-learning, although assisted by technology, is a mental process with an observable outcome.

Because learning is a personal thing, its outcome is apparent in changes in what people think and do.

So the opportunities for electronic media assisting and influencing what people think and do is extremely broad. Technology-assisted communication is constantly adding new ways of learning through human interaction and ‘trendy’ new methods of distributing learning resources are evolving.

Some E-learning takes place formally, in professionally-designed, interactive learning programs. Much occurs informally as people use distributed media such as information websites and iPod downloads. And now, even more casually much is being learnt through rapidly escalating social networks.

So e-learning is something that happens. And like learning in general, you may like what happens, or you may not. You may have some input into what is learnt, or you may not. But like it or not, with you or without you, it happens.

The big issue is not “what is e-learning?”, but how is it happening and what can be done to shape what is learnt? More importantly for sponsors of learning, including commercial organisations concerned about what their market is learning about them, is…

how can electronic media be best used to shape the results of what is learnt?

For those sponsors who are businesses with a commercial interest in the knowledge, thinking and actions of people in their markets, the results are not graduation certificates. They are sales invoices.

Choosing and using appropriate e-learning technologies in educational marketing and business development strategies creates many new opportunities to build the types of relationships on which business thrives.