Reflections on e-learning: pedagogy and practice in the corporate sector

Abstract

The majority of the articles on e-learning inform organisations on its perceived benefits of flexibility, cost and breadth of coverage. The disadvantages are largely ignored. The pedagogical debate on e-learning concentrates on the delivery of elearning within a traditional educational forum and does not examine trends within a corporate environment. This study reflects on the directions and experiences of organisations in the FTSE 250 that are implementing e-learning. It concludes that the advantages of an online pedagogy are not fully exploited due to limitations in technology and other strategic priorities. In addition, a number of lessons have been learned by the pioneers of corporate e-learning, including the evolutionary nature of the programmes and the need to create ‘organisational readiness’. Further research is essential to consider all stakeholders’ experiences of e-learning, and the learner’s voice is significant by its absence in the debate.