November 2009
Survey: 2009 Annual E-Learning Trends Survey
Each year, Learning Circuits surveys readers to gauge the impact that technology developments have had on e-learning efforts. In addition, we ask questions to get a clearer picture of how e-learning is evolving. The results will be posted on Learning Circuits in January 2010.
Case Study: Adventures in Second Life Education
By Kristine J. Berry
In Second Life, creating lifelike classrooms is only half the battle. Discover how IBM professionals developed education about hardware products that is engaging, immersive, and unlike anything you’ll ever see in real life.
Feature: Web 2.0 and Change Present Challenges to Many Learning Executives
By Rex Davenport
LXB interviews e-learning expert jay Cross about how businesses are becoming networks, and how CLOs are going to need to understand that and do something about it.
T+D Feature: Twitter: Inside the Enterprise, Up the Next Hill
By Marcia Conner
Humana employees find creative ways to keep social learning strong and effective, from the inside-in.
Recommended Reading: IT Training On-Demand
By Marianne Cherney
This article on eLearn Magazine discusses how e-learning works for technical professionals. This group is finding that the quick progression of technology, combined with handling more work as businesses try to cut costs, means they need training that is better designed for their specific needs.
Downloads: 74 Blogs ... and Counting
ASTD launched its first blog in 2002 (via the Learning Circuits Blog). Since then, a multitude of blogs have entered the fray to comment on the corporate learning realm. Here’s a list of blogs worth following to find out what’s new and interesting in e-learning.
Industry Headlines
Employee Training Withstands Down Economy
ASTD announces the release of its 2009 State of the Industry Report, a comprehensive look at the training and development investments, practices, and trends for 2008. Key findings show that employee learning and development withstood the challenges of the difficult economy in 2008 with U.S. organizations spending $134.07 billion in 2008, or an average of $1,068 per employee.
E-Learning Trend: U.S. Self-Directed Learning Market Booming
The U.S. market for self-paced e-learning products and services reached $16.7 billion in 2009, reports industry analysts Ambient Insight in its recent study, "The U.S. Market for Self-Paced E-Learning Products and Services: 2009-2014 Forecast and Analysis."
New Study Shows Training Evaluation Efforts Need Help
When it comes to evaluating the effectiveness of training, most organizations admit they could do a better job, according to a new study released ASTD. The study, “Value of Evaluation: Making Training Evaluations More Effective,” found that only about one-quarter of respondents agree their organizations get a “solid bang for the buck” from their training evaluation efforts.
Learning and Development Programs are Directly Linked to Company Profitability
According to a recent Aberdeen Group study sponsored in part by SilkRoad technology, organizations targeting learning and development for managers improve performance, customer retention, and revenue, with 51 percent of the top organizations linking learning and development initiatives directly to changes in profitability and revenue.