Chief Learning Officer - July 2008 - (Page 54)

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE Learning Modalities: The Message Driving the Medium BY CUSHING ANDERSON Chief Learning Ofﬁcer magazine’s Business Intelligence Board survey results show that learning executives employ a mix of modalities for delivering learning, but the speciﬁc delivery method is increasingly determined by the message. any factors determine how learning is delivered. Corporate culture, training budget, subject matter, instructor experience, student preferences, technology availability — essentially content, audience and environment — all play a role. But how is delivery evolving? Are newer delivery methods eclipsing traditional methods? Recent survey results suggest not much has changed in delivery during the past several years. But one difference that has emerged is that DATA POINT the message appears to be inThe greatest change in the creasingly driving the medium. delivery mix during the next Where cost savings were cited 12 to 18 months will continue to in the past as the top driver for come in increased adoption of e-learning, CLOs in 2008 said e-learning. Both asynchronous they opt for e-learning because and synchronous e-learning it is the most appropriate mecontinue to show increased use. dium for the subject matter. Source: Chief Learning Ofﬁcer Asynchronous e-learning also Business Intelligence Board survey. is seen as the preferred delivery method when training a group with varied skill levels. Every other month, research ﬁrm IDC administers a Web-based survey to Chief Learning Ofﬁcer magazine’s Business Intelligence Board (BIB) on a variety of topics to gauge the issues, opportunities and attitudes that make up the diverse role of a senior learning executive. This month, as part of IDC’s annual look into learning modalities and how they are M evolving, 610 BIB respondents shared their thoughts on the appropriate mix of learning delivery. The Current Mix Survey results show CLOs are using a variety of options as part of their current learning-delivery mixes (Figure 1). Consistent with 2007 ﬁndings, classroom training still represents the primary delivery choice for most training organizations, although the combination of synchronous and asynchronous e-learning is gaining ground and represents the next most popular modality. Interestingly, 2008 results show an increase in classroom delivery. A signiﬁcant number of organizations also are utilizing formal, on-the-job training as a key component of their overall education programs. Who’s in the Driver’s Seat? In prior annual studies on learning modality, the study focused on whether the instructor or the student controlled the delivery method within a blended environment. Not surprisingly, the majority of CLOs reported that the instructor largely held the reins when it came to choosing delivery modalities. The 2008 study introduced the concept of the subject matter itself as the driver. The picture changed dramatically when this option was added. As shown in Figure 2, a clear majority of CLOs (60 percent) reported they select the content modality. This ﬁnding suggests that while organizations may like the concept of blended learning, it is constrained by the available modality. 54 Chief Learning Ofﬁcer • July 2008 • www.clomedia.com http://www.clomedia.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Chief Learning Officer - July 2008

Chief Learning Officer - July 2008 Contents Imperatives Selling Up, Selling Down Strategies Take Five A Customer-Driven Approach to Molding Tomorrow’s Leaders The Home Depot: Accelerated Leadership CLO Profile Birth of a Salesman: Selling Learning to Solve Business Issues Selling Learning’s Potential at Siemens Transform Corporate Learning With a User Network Wiki Training Increases Productivity for RMC Vanguard Mortgage Lessons From the Feds: Mapping Learning to Strategic Initiatives Department of Labor Centralizes Content Synchronous and Asynchronous: What’s in a Name? Coping With Cultural Barriers to E-Learning The Manager’s Responsibility for Employee Learning Case Study Business Intelligence In Conclusion

Chief Learning Officer - July 2008

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