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Communication is the key to success
Keywords:
Computer based training, Learning styles, Communications
"It is not possible to tell people too much or too often about e-learning. It is still a new approach to training and takes time before it's regarded like any other type of training".
So says lan Sellars, manager of Xerox Education support services, whose ambitious target is to provide 50 percent of training via technology to Xerox Europe's workforce of 15,000 in Europe.
The company, which also has personnel in more than 400 franchise operations across Europe, set out on creating the Xerox virtual-learning environment (XVLE) in the mid-1990s. At the end of 2000, Xerox met with a difficult financial climate and the decision was made to centralize the different training and development teams across Europe. As a result, a team of around 70 is now based in the UK, near Reading, and is responsible for all training initiatives, including e-learning.
In the early days of e-learning there was much debate about whether it would revolutionize traditional training, and whether the future would consist only of virtual and online training rather than classroom-based sessions. The Xerox team discussed this in depth. The company view is that e-learning is important, but it will not and should not replace traditional training options. Residential programs still have a place in Xerox, as do a number of learning centers that staff use as and when they wish.
Planning and design
A small in-house team of four IT experts is central to the planning, delivery and design processes of e-learning. In addition, Xerox Europe has developed long-term relationships with external suppliers such as Skillsoft for e-learning, locally-based Icon Fonts Ltd for hosting services, and Kingston lnmedia for Xerox Television (XTV).
lan Sellars said: "Being able to rely on suppliers is important. We work with a small, select number of suppliers who offer additional qualities and expertise that add to what we can do in-house".
Suppliers are described as "strategic partners", an unusual approach with regard to both e-learning and general training provision. It is an approach that others might also find valuable. The pressure on suppliers has increased...