Companies are increasingly considering adopting online training, according
to research carried out for the Open University’s corporate arm Corous.
The survey of more than 1,000 organisations shows that more than 30 per cent
already used online training and another 30 per cent are considering
introducing it. Companies surveyed identify the advantages of e-learning as its
flexibility, ease of use, accessibility to distance learners and learning at
your own pace.
But respondents also criticised e-learning for being impersonal, allowing
little interaction with teachers or peers and not offering personal feedback.
Marion Baldwin, commercial director for Corous, said the findings
highlighted some of the misconceptions about e-learning.
"Well-developed online programmes engage the learner, offer personal
feedback, stimulate interaction with an online tutor and can include group
working," she said.
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The research showed that the percentage of staff with a PC on their desk and
access to the internet and e-mail ranged from 38 per cent in the wholesale and
retail sector to around 90 per cent for staff working for central government.
