Michael Allen's Guide to e-Learning, 2nd Edition

Chapter 4Making Success Possible

It is surprising how many e-learning programs have no chance of success when you look closely. The reason might surprise you. It often has nothing to do with the programs themselves, but rather the failure to scrutinize the training and performance context and take it into account during design. Among the factors that determine training and outcome performance success of a program are:

• Who participates in the design of the training
• What resources are available for training design and development
• Who is being trained and for what reason
• Instructional delivery media and instructional paradigms used
• Learning support available during training
• Performance support and guidance available after training
• Rewards and penalties for good and poor performance, respectively

This chapter considers the importance of learning and performance contexts. It starts by examining the prerequisites for success and then discusses the role of good design as the means to achieving success.

Unrecognized Contextual Factors

Failed training programs can often be attributed to a number of contextual conditions that prevent their success. The barrier might be an environment that actually inhibits desired performance. It's not uncommon. It could be training solutions were developed without the essential perspective of employees and their supervisors. And it could easily be the influence of many other contextual factors that can make or break a training initiative.

Even worse, ...