| |
Singapore, 6 August 2002
New approaches to E-learning |
E-learning, once heralded as a revolution in the business of education, was largely perceived as a casualty of the dot-com collapse. However, forecasters now predict a resurgence in the e-learning market, expecting it to reach the $12-14 billion range by 2004. According to a new report by strategy and technology consultants Booz Allen Hamilton, providers of Internet-enabled learning will capture a share of the market only by shifting their focus away from the ideals of the dot-com era and adopting a new, achievable vision.
The report warns existing and new entrants in the e-learning arena of attempting to reinvent or replace traditional learning tools through new media, and outlines three principles to guide providers towards success, namely:
- Develop and distribute education in "bite-sized chunks" - that is, small, self-contained units, such as studying modules that make up full degree programs;
- Fill gaps in the traditional learning market through customised instructional tools or new delivery methods, rather than trying to replace the traditional teacher/textbook offering;
- Provide new and better mediums for learning built around traditional content, such as electronic versions of print-based products with added features, rather than focus on creating new and improved content.
The report breaks down consumers of education into five segments: School, Higher Ed, Professional, Corporate, and Lifelong Learners, each with its own distinct opportunities for e-learning providers.
Booz Allen sees the greatest potential for e-learning success within the professional and corporate segments, delivering highly targeted curricula designed to develop specific, job-related skills or gain professional credentials. Corporations, which spent over $30 billion in training in 2000, will depend more and more on online training in the current cost-conscious environment. IBM has saved $350 million in training-related travelling costs by putting most of its courses on-line.
In the school segment, Booz Allen expects e-learning for the traditional classroom to be largely supplemental, involving products designed to make teachers and textbooks more effective. Outside the classroom, an emerging area of opportunity is professional development for teachers.
In full-time higher education, the greatest opportunity is in the support function, providing tools for campus-wide portals or supplying course materials on-line. E-learning in part-time higher education is more of a challenge for new providers. As a rule of thumb, it is always better to choose providers that have ‘been there, done that’ as they have the experience to provide an enhanced learning experience. One such established e-learning provider is PurpleTrain.com where learning management systems centred around the student are used to make the e-learning experience a fruitful one.
E-learning will find its largest audience outside of traditional educational institutions. Some will know that e-learning has yet to realise its potential, and therefore gain from it, especially the content providers, equipment and infrastructure providers, and high-speed delivery providers.
For an enriching e-learning experience, do drop by www.purpletrain.com for a demo class or to find out more about the available courses.
SOURCE: Booz Allen Hamilton, New York (Business Wire), June 13, 2002
About Informatics Group
The Informatics Group, established in 1983, is a multinational corporation providing training and educational services in information technology and business management. Through its international franchising program and strategic acquisitions, Informatics presently has a global network of more than 450 centres spanning 42 countries.
The company presently offers five franchise products: Informatics Computer School, Thames Business School, CAL Computer Training Centre, Cambridge Child Development Centre and RACC. For more information, please visit http://www.informaticsgroup.com.
About PurpleTrain.com
PurpleTrain.com is the e-learning service provider which offers a one-stop service for business and IT education programmes, corporate training courses and education-related services. By combining innovative technology with world-class training content, PurpleTrain.com offers companies and individuals a high value, quality and effective online training solution. Over 1000 online courses are available, offering PhDs, masters, degrees, diplomas and certificates in business and IT programmes. Its e-community now stands at over 55,000 users.
PurpleTrain.com is a 100%-owned venture of Informatics Holdings Limited, a leading training and education provider listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange.
For more information, please contact :
Andrew Yap
Marketing & PR Manager
PurpleTrain.com
Email : pr@purpletrain.com
Website : www.purpletrain.com
www.informaticsgroup.com
To subscribe, send a blank email to: subscribe@purpletrain.com
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to: unsubscribe@purpletrain.com
All trademarks and registered trademarks are property of
their respective owners. Certain of the statements in this press release
are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and
uncertainties. The actual results may differ from those described or contemplated.
Copyright © 2002. All Rights Reserved. PurpleTrain.com Pte Ltd.
|
