Monday
Feb262001
197 - e-Learning Focus: Ignore the Stock Market - Watch the Implementation
February 26, 2001
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
e-Learning, Training and e-Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center http://www.masie.com
Host of Business of e-Learning Summit - Las Vegas, NV
e-Learning Focus: Ignore the Stock Market - Watch the Implementation
This item may be a bit of a "rant", as I am quite concerned about current
and upcoming developments in the e-Learning field which might have an
impact on perceptions of this exciting field.
In the next few months, you will hear about a few e-Learning suppliers that
might merge, evolve or even disappear. While many suppliers are doing
quite well, some e-Learning ventures are running out of venture capital and
are having a tougher time getting next round funding. Some e-Learning
players are not seeing the large contracts come across their desk as
quickly as they might have expected. And, like many technology fields,
there are pockets of layoffs and reductions on the radar screen for some
e-Learning companies.
Does this mean that e-Learning is in trouble? It depends on which
indicators that you watch!
The MASIE Center primarily tracks the health of e-Learning by working with
large and medium size organizations that are implementing technology for
learning for their employees. For example, our e-Learning CONSORTIUM
represents companies with over 5,743,000 employees. When we ask them for a
status check on e-Learning they report:
* Strong corporate support for steady growth in e-Learning offerings.
* Learners asking for e-Learning as an OPTION when offered training.
* Steady movement towards selecting a Learning or Content Management System.
* Steady movement towards using Virtual Classroom Technology.
* Demand for new models of authoring content.
* Desire to lower the "hype" factor in predictions about impact of e-Learning.
So, if we hear, as we may, about a company in our field having financial
difficulties or a stock price dropping to nil, let's not get confused.
e-Learning the hot stock market craze may not be as healthy as some would
like, especially in times when stocks in general are doing poorly. And,
there will be companies coming in and leaving the space.. it is natural and healthy.
What we have to do is to refocus our attention on the steady and hard work
that is underway in organizations around the globe that are leveraging the
power of technology to EXTEND the delivery of skills and knowledge to the
workforce. e-Learning is a lot more than a craze that will be measured in
a quarter to quarter set of financial reports. There is a fundamental
shift in how organizations are planning to develop and deliver learning.
It will be seen in changes within organizations and by selective purchases
of products and services from suppliers. Measure e-Learning by how it is
changing learning, not just by cash register results.
Upcoming Events from The MASIE Center: http://www.masie.com
* The Business of e-Learning: Las Vegas, Nevada - March 29 and 30th
* Skills for e-Trainers @ The MASIE Center - May 30 - June 1
* TechLearn 2001 + World e-Learning CONGRESS: Oct 28 to 31 - Orlando, Florida
e-Learning, Training and e-Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center http://www.masie.com
Host of Business of e-Learning Summit - Las Vegas, NV
e-Learning Focus: Ignore the Stock Market - Watch the Implementation
This item may be a bit of a "rant", as I am quite concerned about current
and upcoming developments in the e-Learning field which might have an
impact on perceptions of this exciting field.
In the next few months, you will hear about a few e-Learning suppliers that
might merge, evolve or even disappear. While many suppliers are doing
quite well, some e-Learning ventures are running out of venture capital and
are having a tougher time getting next round funding. Some e-Learning
players are not seeing the large contracts come across their desk as
quickly as they might have expected. And, like many technology fields,
there are pockets of layoffs and reductions on the radar screen for some
e-Learning companies.
Does this mean that e-Learning is in trouble? It depends on which
indicators that you watch!
The MASIE Center primarily tracks the health of e-Learning by working with
large and medium size organizations that are implementing technology for
learning for their employees. For example, our e-Learning CONSORTIUM
represents companies with over 5,743,000 employees. When we ask them for a
status check on e-Learning they report:
* Strong corporate support for steady growth in e-Learning offerings.
* Learners asking for e-Learning as an OPTION when offered training.
* Steady movement towards selecting a Learning or Content Management System.
* Steady movement towards using Virtual Classroom Technology.
* Demand for new models of authoring content.
* Desire to lower the "hype" factor in predictions about impact of e-Learning.
So, if we hear, as we may, about a company in our field having financial
difficulties or a stock price dropping to nil, let's not get confused.
e-Learning the hot stock market craze may not be as healthy as some would
like, especially in times when stocks in general are doing poorly. And,
there will be companies coming in and leaving the space.. it is natural and healthy.
What we have to do is to refocus our attention on the steady and hard work
that is underway in organizations around the globe that are leveraging the
power of technology to EXTEND the delivery of skills and knowledge to the
workforce. e-Learning is a lot more than a craze that will be measured in
a quarter to quarter set of financial reports. There is a fundamental
shift in how organizations are planning to develop and deliver learning.
It will be seen in changes within organizations and by selective purchases
of products and services from suppliers. Measure e-Learning by how it is
changing learning, not just by cash register results.
Upcoming Events from The MASIE Center: http://www.masie.com
* The Business of e-Learning: Las Vegas, Nevada - March 29 and 30th
* Skills for e-Trainers @ The MASIE Center - May 30 - June 1
* TechLearn 2001 + World e-Learning CONGRESS: Oct 28 to 31 - Orlando, Florida
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