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New Research Ties Sales Increases to E-Learning

What and Why of Distance Learning

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What is Distance Learning?

  The following definition is from the "Guiding Principles for Distance Learning in a Learning Society," by the Center for Adult Learning and Education Credentials of the American Council on Education.

Distance learning is a system and a process that connects learners with distributed learning resources. While distance learning takes a wide variety of forms, all distance learning is characterized by:

separation of place and/or time between instructor and learners,
              among learners, and/or between learners and learning resources and

interation between the learner and the instructor, among learners
              and/or between learners and learning resources
              conducted through one or more media;
              use of electronic media is not necessarily required.

Why use Distance Learning?   The A T & T Center for Excellence in Distance Learning (CEDL) identified reasons which are the potential training problems that senior management faces when trying to shape its business:

the need to increase global competitiveness

ensuring that the workforce keeps up with and implements rapidly changing
              technology

coping with major changes in the nature of the workforce. These major changes
              require frequent skill updates, skill development, and training in how to cope
              with the information glut and rapidly changing needs and priorities.

Customer Benefits

Flexibility:

Classroom, Web or CD-ROM delivery.

Rapid development time.

Quality of Instruction.

Learners can have access to more resources, which adds to their body of knowledge in any given topic. According to a Pennsylvania State University report of 1992, distance learning is equal to or superior to learning in the traditional classroom. This view is supported by both private- and public-sector organizations like UNISYS, the U.S. Department of Defense, FORD, AT & T and the University of Wisconsin that are following the effectiveness of their distance learning initiatives.

Reduced Cost and Cost Effectiveness.

More people can be trained more often with different distance learning tools. Travel costs can be reduced and productivity increased because no time is lost from travel to on-site training/marketing presentation. Subject matter experts can be brought in without leaving their hometowns. The federal government, through the consortium called GATE (Government Alliance for Training and Education), has documented research showing the cost-savings elements of distance learning. In all sectors, public and private, budget cuts and reductions in workforce are helping to stimulate the increased use of distance learning.

Greater return on investment.

New Research Ties Sales Increases to E-Learning