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Why is e-learning just plain wrong?

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After the short video introduction, please consider this post and leave your comments...

We aren’t taught to learn. We grow up doing it naturally: through exploration, example, and experimentation. Think about it: ever since that first time...you’ve avoided hot stoves, right? That’s because you’re an awesome, natural born, mean, lean, learning machine!

Now think about your e-learning program. Does it let your learners naturally explore new information? Does it allow them to practice applying that information, until they’re confident they can get the right results in the real world?

Or is your program more e-reading than e-learning? Maybe you’re getting sucked into that vortex of page-by-page, PowerPoint-like courses! If you are, that really does suck...and it's wrong, because your learners aren't getting all they need to perform at top levels.

At w/ we refer to that natural process of eXploration and eXperience as X-learning. When we formalize it, digitize it and put it online, we call it a PowerSim™.

Want me to give you a quick run through on how it works?

  • In a PowerSim, we generally start by exposing learners to a category of products or services. We include strategic sound bites about markets and customers, but we don’t overdue it. This category overview module provides greater context and meaning, as learners move on to a non-linear exploration of feature/benefit information.
  • In the feature/benefit module, we utilize engaging, full-body avatars to demonstrate good selling techniques. All of the feature/benefit information from all of the products is included, so learners can visualize how they would do the same thing.
  • Then, in the simulation module, learners apply the information gained from the first two modules, to practice selling. This is how they internalize decision-making skills and new behaviors. The results are an increase in sales and satisfied customers.

Why do PowerSims work?

Each selling scenario in the simulation module is purposefully designed around a critical risk area. These risk areas are key elements of sales and business strategy where your people are likely to falter or fail, without practice in making the right decisions. Focusing on these critical issues means your learners are getting the highest-value training available.

The PowerSims approach is effective because it takes advantage of the way people naturally learn. But you know what I think is even cooler than that? Because PowerSims go the extra mile in making your learners successful, these same learners turn around and go the extra mile in promoting your products and building your brand. Now that’s a return on investment!

What results do we get?

In a recent survey, over 1000 sales managers “agreed or strongly agreed” that our courses helped their salespeople:

  • Recommend our customer’s brand over the competition, 93% of the time
  • Recommend the right solution or product, 96% of the time, and
  • Overcome customer objections to close the sale, 93% of the time
It’s no wonder then, in the same survey, 76% of sales managers estimated their sales results went up an average of 12.5%, due to our courses.

So, you see why I say that page-based, PowerPoint-like e-learning is just plain wrong? It just doesn’t get the same results as exploration and experimentation inside of a PowerSim.



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COMMENTS

Jack, With the results that you've described above, why aren't more companies turning to this type of learning. It seems that with an approx. avg. of 12.5% increase in sales (which is an impressive number by the way)more companies would be turning to this type of learning for their sales force. What are your thoughts? Is it just because it's a new concept and companies are leery of change?

posted @ Monday, February 22, 2010 8:05 AM by Missy


Well I don't agree with you on e-learning Jack. Although I do agree with the examples you quote above on basic learning skills, but what is wrong if we apply these skills on e-learning? I believe online degree or e-learning just give flexibility to learn, when and where possible.

posted @ Tuesday, February 23, 2010 4:52 AM by Online Degree


Well I don't agree with you on e-learning Jack. Although I do agree with the examples you quote above on basic learning skills, but what is wrong if we apply these skills on e-learning? I believe online degree or e-learning just give flexibility to learn, when and where possible.

posted @ Tuesday, February 23, 2010 4:53 AM by Online Degree


Good stuff Jack. Do you think there are certain places where traditional (page-based) e-learning is a better approach than a PowerSim?

posted @ Tuesday, February 23, 2010 8:38 AM by Joe C.


I agree to a certain extent that some e-learning courses just don't work...but then some face to face courses just don't work either. It really is up to the facilitator/instructor/teacher. E-learning doesn't need to be shoehorned into powerpoint or an LMS (although if used correctly and or creatively can be very successful) and can be just a leveraging of the thousands of web 2.0 products out there to facilitate a self directed, collaborative,rich learning experience for the learner. 
 
It really is lots of work but if a teachers focus is on the students learning then it is worth it.

posted @ Tuesday, February 23, 2010 8:52 AM by Tyler


Thanks for the thoughtful comments...and let me respond, briefly.  
 
First, I believe that well done e-learning is a great way to learn...even better than ILT, as some research has indicated. But my point is, most e-learning is done poorly. At that point the results aren't worth the investment...and that makes it just wrong. 
 
As to times where a page turner might work, rather than a simulation...you're still just talking about e-reading, not e-learning. Now, if it's reference content that you're talking about, there may not be a call for simulations, but then the format isn't necessarily page-by-page, either. A search format, or indexing navigation scheme would be more appropriate. 
 
Keep the comments coming...

posted @ Wednesday, February 24, 2010 9:31 AM by Jack


Missy...I didn't get to answer for you in my last post, so.. 
 
I think we'll see more and more sales training done this way, but it depends on the practitioners to bring this option to the table. When I talk to sales training managers, the value proposition always hits them hard...and positively.

posted @ Wednesday, February 24, 2010 9:45 AM by Jack Pierce


It is illogical to label an inanimate item as 'wrong'. False dichotomies, such as the one you attempt to set up, do nothing to add to the benefits, or otherwise, of e-Learning. 
 
e-Learning may be mis-applied; it may be correctly applied to teaching and learning. 
 
It can never be '...plain wrong...'

posted @ Wednesday, March 03, 2010 1:26 PM by Ian


Thanks for the feedback, Ian. Did you also have an opinion that you forgot to share?

posted @ Wednesday, March 03, 2010 2:00 PM by Jack Pierce


To do e-Learning right, it takes thought, effort, time, and budget. In a corporate environment where the focus is on getting things 'done' rather than 'right', i.e. checking it off your list of things to do, then I can see where companies want to spend the least amount of thought, effort, time and money on e-Learning. I think there is a misconception that e-Learning is just a quick, cheap way to disseminate information.

posted @ Thursday, March 18, 2010 9:52 AM by Helena


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