Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/61375
Technology New Era for Corporate E-Learning At a time when many business schools are implementing e-learning initiatives with enthusiasm, many corporations are struggling to integrate e-learning into their operations. According to "E-Learning: The Findings and the Future," a new report from U.K.- based business school Ashridge, cor- porations may be looking increas- ingly to business schools to help them surmount these obstacles. Ashridge conducted interviews with 16 organizations, including the BBC, Lloyds TSB, the Ministry of Defence, and Xerox Europe, and surveyed corporate subscribers to the Ashridge Virtual Learning Resource Center. The study found a marked rift be- tween theory and practice among participating organizations. While 86 percent of respondents believed e-learning to be an effective training tool, 82 percent found it difficult to implement e-learning into their or- ganizations. The greatest barrier to e-learn- ing was a lack of time for effective implementation, respondents said. Other barriers included insufficient technology, staff resistance, and a negative perception of e-learning's value. Negative perceptions are often so prevalent, the study found, that some companies call e- learning by another name, such as "I learning." "The initial wild enthusiasm for e-learning has given way to a much more cautious approach," says An- drew Ettinger, director of learning TOOLS OF THE TRADE Silicon Chalk Software Enhances Classroom Interactivity If there's a buzzword in educational IT these days, it's "interactivity." In many cases, the more students interact with the instructor, the material, and their classmates, the better. The latest software from Silicon Chalk, a Vancouver- based software company, aims to bring a boost to this developing area of education. Silicon Chalk was founded by Murray Goldberg, creator of WebCT. Silicon Chalk Version 3.0 is a tool designed to enhance the use of laptops, desktops, and tablet PCs in the class- room. Instructors and students can use the software to post information for presentations, discussion, notetaking, and feedback to all participants' computers. The software also facilitates assessment activities such as in-class polling, quizzing, and participation tracking. In addition, the software keeps a full record of the course for future playback. The recordings blend the voice of the instructor; presentation material from sources such as PowerPoint, Excel, and Web browsing; and student notes. When used with interactive whiteboards, the software records each pen stroke as well. Students can download their own recording of the course at the end of the class and take the recording with them to create their own at-home digital libraries. They also can search large collections of course recordings by keyword and even edit information, explains Dennis Staples, the company's vice president of sales. "The ability to use keyword searches is a compelling benefit to students," says Staples. The recordings also pro- vide support to distance learning students or students who have missed a class. Rapid advances in wireless networks on college campuses have made widespread use of software such as Sili- con Chalk possible. As wireless becomes more ubiquitous, software that promotes greater collaboration in the class- room promises to become a mainstay of college courses, Staples says. Silicon Chalk is compatible with Windows environments only. Per-user licensing costs depend on the number of users, ranging from $8 to $15. With the licensing agreement, schools receive all upgrades at no extra cost. 50 BizEd JULY/AUGUST 2004 that have integrated e-learning ini- tiatives effectively cited several fac- tors crucial to their success. They re- ported a cultural shift among their employees concerning how educa- tion can be delivered. In addition, e-learning oppor tunities were aligned closely to organizational needs; e-learning was blended with classroom and hands-on training; e- learning was supported by senior management and marketed throughout the organization; and, finally, e-learning opportunities were resources at Ashridge and co-author of the research. "E-learning is not the silver bullet many people were led to believe it was. It can be highly effective, but only when im- plemented properly as part of an overall learning process." In contrast, the few companies Silicon Chalk software not only records the vocal participation of instructor and students for future playback, but also their onscreen notetaking, quiz responses, and presentations.