Investing in Learning Technology

Organisations invest in Learning Technologies because they can, when used well:

Reduce the total costs of learning to the business – particularly by reducing travel and print costs, and increasing administrative efficiency
Increase flexibility – in terms of when and where learning materials and expertise can be accessed
Provide useful data upon which decisions can be made
Help to engage and motivate

However, when used inappropriately or poorly, learning technologies can have the opposite effect:

Increasing costs through expensive equipment that is under-used
Reducing flexibility by relying on proprietary technologies
Collecting large quantities of meaningless data
Demotivating employees who are used, in their lives outside work, to on-demand support at the point of need

Organisations that are using learning technology well will tend to invest in more than just the technology itself. They will spend money on:

Infrastructure – primarily wireless network connectivity
Platforms – the software through which employees will access learning materials, administrative processes and people
Content – a mix of lots of rapidly-developed, focussed content (not necessarily “elearning”) with a short lifespan and low production values, along with small numbers of bespoke content items with a long lifespan and high production values
Equipment – a mix of lots of low cost devices to produce, consume and communicate in the field, along with small numbers of higher cost devices for specialist, location-centred use
People – training and support for those who will be producing, leading and administrating, plus investment in online and face-to-face coaching, mentoring and curating

It’s important to get the balance right, as failure to invest in one of these elements appropriately will often lead to a failed initiative.

If you would like help to select, procure and implement learning technologies, please get in touch

Posted: 05 July 2015

Tags: Supplier selection