If you are professional who really wants to achieve real career success, chances are that you will be required to undertake some form of continuing professional development. Recent research by the Chartered Management Institute in the UK shows an increase in the use of new technologies for continuing professional development.
The report Learning at Work: E-Learning Evolution or Revolution shows that at management level, significant use is being made of the following for continuing professional development:
o E-coaching
o E-books
o E-learning
o Discussion forums and
o Video
So what are the top benefits of the new technologies?
Benefit 1: Cost
At the present time where many organisations are facing some challenging times, the use of new technologies offers an attractive low cost alternative. Many resources can be accessed for free or at minimal cost. The increase in membership sites where people get access to regularly updated content for as little as £10-20 per month is just one example.
Benefit 2: Convenience
It can sometimes be extremely difficult for those working in deadline driven roles to block out a half day or whole day for a course. On the other hand if the same content is available in short bite size chunks, it makes it easier and more convenient to do. It might be that someone spends a lot of time in their car moving between sites. During this time audio recordings can be listened to through a CD or mp3 player.
Benefit 3: Ease of access
You might have identified a development need directly or something has arisen from your appraisal. You often find that there are no courses coming up in your local area in the immediate future. On the other hand if you make use of new technologies, you can probably get started in a matter of days.
Benefit 4: Adaptable to different learning styles
Some like to learn by reading, others by watching, others learn by doing and others by listening. The new technologies support all of these different learning styles.
Benefit 5: Multiple learning
On a traditional training programme you have one chance to hear the materials. If it does not land first time you are reliant on your written notes and course manual. With new technologies, you can access the materials over and over again, creating multiple learning opportunities.
Bottom Line- E-learning might not be right for everyone or every circumstance but it is worth considering as part of your continuing personal development.