Your E-Learning Strategy

by Gihan Perera

www.GihanPerera.com

What is eWhat is e--learning?learning?

remote learning

correspondence courses

We in Australia have a long and proud tradition of e-learning.

In the 1950s, we called it “The School of the Air”, and it was run using the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s radio system. Now, 60 years later, we call it “e-learning”.

Whatever you call it, we’re talking about the same thing: Engaging, educating and inspiring students who aren’t in the same room as you.

distance education

WhatWhat’’s in it for us?s in it for us?

You

Audience

Client

Your audience gets a more engaging experience than just sitting still and listening to a presenter.

Your clients reduce their costs –after all, their greatest expensive is not your fee, it’s the lost productivity of their people.

And you get the convenience of presenting on your own terms.

EE--learning is simple, but not easylearning is simple, but not easy

Many presenters want to add e-learning to their delivery mix – but they don’t know how to do it.

It’s simple … but not easy.

There are seven common mistakes most people make.

Let’s look at them … and what you can do to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Trying to sell to strangersMistake #1: Trying to sell to strangers

It’s tempting to think that the world is your classroom, so you can reach them all. But it’s difficult to sell to strangers: They don’t know, like or trust you (yet).

The Fix: Start by selling to existing clients

Start with the people who doknow you, like you and trust you!

Mistake #2: Casting your net too wideMistake #2: Casting your net too wide

It’s tempting to make your programs broad, so they are more applicable to more people. But the broader they are, the less valuable they are.

The Fix: Focus on a niche, not the masses

The narrower your niche, the more valuable your e-learning programs will be.

Mistake #3: Not doing enoughMistake #3: Not doing enough

It’s no longer good enough to do just one thing (a password-protected Web page, an e-mail course, a training video) and call it an e-learning “program”.

The Fix: Create a blended program

Combine live and recorded; audio, video and text; self-learning and group learning; overview and detail; etc.

Mistake #4: Too much sizzle, not enough Mistake #4: Too much sizzle, not enough

steaksteak

Audiences expect tangible results from your e-learning program. You can't get by with just pretty pictures, low-value content and your personality.

The Fix: Engage and educate, don’t just entertain

Build in clear outcomes. Work to a plan. Check in on progress. Over-promise and over-deliver!

Mistake #5: Not taking it seriouslyMistake #5: Not taking it seriously

It's difficult to create an e-learning program on weekends, tea breaks and while waiting for taxis –especially if you’re doing it for the first time.

The Fix: Invest in making it world class

The technology and tools are available and affordable, but you still need to learn how to use them well.

Mistake #6: Not having a clear strategyMistake #6: Not having a clear strategy

The strategy that works for your face-to-face presentations won’t necessarily work. You need to plan and prepare differently to work with the medium and the technology.

The Fix: Build it around a strategy

Principles of effective program design are relevant in the on-line world as well – but you need to apply them differently.

Mistake #7: Not doing it!Mistake #7: Not doing it!

E-learning is no longer an optional luxury that gives you a competitive advantage. It’s fast becoming an expectation –you’ll be at a disadvantage if you don’t offer it.

The Fix: Just do it!

You’ll never know everything you need to know. So don’t wait. Start before you’re ready.

E-learning is not about the future.

It’s about the present.

Now.

There’s never been a better time to add it to

your delivery mix.

www.thoughtleaders.com.au

Want to know more?

Come to the Thought Leaders conference in Sydney.

I’ll be doing my presentation from Perth by webinar (appropriately enough).

In it, I’ll show you the 20 key components of an effective e-learning program.

www.GihanPerera.com