eLearning: advantages and disadvantages

Time and money savings, mass training, each day, e-learning attracts new companies for their professional training needs, thanks to persuasive arguments. This is illustrated by the market's turnover of 144 million euros in 2010, a 25% increase over the previous year (source: Ffaur). A considerable progression underpinning the success of remote training and predicting a great future for this learning method. Though the e-learning system possesses many assets, it also has its limits. In particular, e-learning is faced with the reticence of certain companies and employees faced with an innovative and unfamiliar learning method. The following table lists the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning from the point of view of the 3 parties involved in elearning: the learner, the company and the trainer.

From the learner's point of view Advantages - Learner actively involved in his/her e-learning - Interactivity and attractiveness of e-learning content - Flexibility and adaptability according to availability (time, location) - Training at own pace, independently of other learners - Self-assessment during and at end of course - Personal progress monitoring during e-learning course and appraisal of results obtained thanks to tracking Disadvantages - Command of computer tools, reticence in face of new technologies - Autonomous self-management as no imposed training framework - Management of motivation and involvement in e-learning, concentration effort - No direct contacts with trainer (except in the case of blended learning)

From the company's point of view Advantages - "Mass" training (unlimited number of learners) - Savings relative to classroom-based training indirect costs (travel, accommodation, etc.) - Flexibility and adaptability according to learner availability (time, location) - Customization and adjustment of training courses to predefined skills and teaching goals

- Low logistical constraints (no room booking, employee travel, accommodation, etc.) - Precise course reporting and automated results analysis thanks to tracking - Durable and updatable teaching materials Disadvantages - Companies sometimes ill-informed and hesitant with respect to new technologies - No control over motivation, involvement and course management by learners - Investment in computer hardware and software - e-learning content occasionally difficult to design for training in highly specific fields (to be checked) - Change management to implement within the training department

From the trainer's point of view Advantages - Prerequisites for assessing learner levels - Training performed on interactive and attractive tools for both trainer and learners - Flexibility and adaptability according to availability (time, location) - Learner monitoring from the platform (tracking) Disadvantages - No direct contacts with learner (except in the case of blended learning) - Transformation of the "knowing" role into that of "conductor" - Transition of predominantly oral to written communication