E-Learning Lessons: Compliance and IT Innovation

Learning Objects
The value of learning objects has always been in the ability to reuse content across through various learning environments. Today, learning objects are proliferating beyond the traditional online classroom and have made their way into the enterprise, combining coursework with experience.

Learning objects as the foundation for online learning will continue to develop, while their true value is realized by blending the objects with real-world, interactive learning experiences, eventually presenting a whole new set of modules for the organization.

When you can leverage and reuse course material and integrate it with real-world experiences from colleagues, learning objects become the foundation for discussion as opposed to a course unto itself.

Simulations
Combining traditional and experiential learning, simulations add another, dynamic dimension to the e-learning experience. This is one area where book smarts meet street smarts, as real-world experience can often be the most influential instructor. Simulation combines classroom learning with real-world experience to ensure that students hit the ground running upon course completion.

For example, imagine putting your toughest prospect in front of a new sales rep and having the ability to practice the pitch until its perfected. With simulation, it's possible for that sales rep to re-enact actions and gain valuable insight from classmates until the deal is closed.

Simulating a real-world environment directly related to the professional's everyday job truly drives home the value of the virtual classroom without driving up costs associated with the proverbial on-the-job learning curve.