Using e-learning, both students and executives can learn anytime and anywhere. One can learn using a mobile device or computer which can access the internet. But there are some basic differences between use of e-learning in education and corporate sector.
The Corporate Scene:
Corporate training aims to impart training and skills for particular operations required for the running of the firm. The main focus of corporate training is transfer of skills and knowledge. For instance, sales personnel can use online content to get training on new sales strategy as well as new products. E-learning enables such knowledge transfer at faster pace and in a more cost effective way to employees spread worldwide.
Main Features of E-Learning in Corporate Training:
- Fast paced: Training needs to be delivered fast as ‘time is money’.
- Career development: Firms need to upgrade employee skills so they can grow in their career. Learning Management Systems (LMS) help to do that.
- Benefits firm: The e-learning initiative aims at befitting the firm as much as the employee.
- Training rather than education: The aim of e-learning in corporate sector is to provide training while in the education sector, it is to ignite curiosity for knowledge. Training has practical impact on the workplace.
- Return on Investment: A firm needs to be capable of estimating ROI (Return on Investment) for the money invested in e-learning initiatives. This is not possible in the educational scenario as it takes many years for the returns to show.
Educational Sector:
E-learning in the educational sector aims at knowledge transfer rather than training. Corporate training is more focused on business objectives like training of new recruits or safety training. By education is meant acquisition of theoretical knowledge and may or may not involve learning of any practical tasks or skills. The services of K-12 content providers in India are being used by the educational sector for implementing e-learning.
But the terms, training and education often overlap. For instance basic training in a field such as health services involve a combination of theoretical and practical learning.
Convergence:
E-learning professionals from corporate sector can benefit from academic initiatives and vice versa. Currently, we are witnessing a convergence of needs of corporate training and academic learning.