5.b.+Section+2+-+Hayes

5b Executive Summary

Online learning (e-learning) has many advantages to both the employee and the employer.   Online learning can increase productivity and save costs in education. This type of learning has benefited many other companies that have used it  . The use of this technology will assist the company in updating to the twenty first century and will keep us competitive in the business market. While there are pros and cons to using e-learning which we need to evaluate before setting this process in place; the savings alone makes this method of training worthwhile. In order to ensure the success of online training within the company, we will be holding a meeting to plan for avoiding time constraints placed on our employees with regard to balancing training and job responsibilities.

Research indicates most companies have found this type of training saves money and reduces cost and inconvience associated with training related travel. I am sure you will find this to be a great benefit to our company.

**Paper Products, Inc. Could Greatly Benefit From E-Learning.** Online learning requires no commute and is appealing for employees who travel regularly
 * Less expensive than the regular classroom college expenses
 * Can free up timely, and expensive training hours
 * Has concentrations that are specific to the company's needs
 * Encourage employees to advance and develop from their jobs
 * It is a cost effective way to get better-educated employees

**E-Learning Challenges Can Be Overcome.** Although E-Learning has received a bad reputation because of its high drop-out rates, there are simple solutions that can help aid this main dilemma: >> Solution: Give reinforcement on attendance,
 * Employees claim of lack of time
 * Solution: Give employees the ability to start a course anytime
 * Trouble completing courses from their desktops because of frequent distractions at work, while some could only access courses through the company's intranet
 * Solution: Provide employees with internet access at home
 * Offering internet access at home could be a risk to the company if employee are not using it properly. It would need to be in the employee's name to protect the company.
 * There is lack of management oversight
 * Solution: Active correspondence with an online facilitator with frequent virtual office hours
 * Lack of motivation
 * There should be a reward and or discipline policy in place for those that perform well and those that show they are not serious. The company or corporation could allow for reimbursements based on grades and a denial of more education if there is repeated poor performance.
 * Problems with technology
 * Solution: Access to a 24-hour, 7 day a week, technical suppor


 * Lack of student support
 * Solution: Provide interactivity:
 * Individual learning preferences
 * Solution: Inform employees of college credit, or certificates through e-learning
 * Poorly designed courses, substandard/inexperienced instructors
 * Solution: Develop a culture that takes online learning as seriously as a classroom training
 * This solution would require time for society to change how they think; I think a better solution would be for the company to research the objectives that they want the employees to learn and find schools and classes that reflect the company’s goals. They may need to look into the for profit as well as not for profit debate regarding online learning.

E-Learning has become an effective way to train employees! Here are some testimonials:
 * **IBM**'s training bill was cut by $350 million last year - mostly because online courses don't require travel.
 * **GMU** now uses interactive satellite broadcasts to teach salespeople the best way to highlight features
 * **Merck** conducts interactive classes over the web, allowing sales reps to learn about the latest product information at home rather than fly to a conference center
 * **McDonald's** trainers can learn skills through e-learning
 * **Home depot** has used e-training to used a full day from the time required to train new cashiers
 * **Black & Decker's** sales representatives freed up 17 days every year with online training.
 * **Dell** expects 90 percent of its learning solutions to be totally or partially technology enabled.

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