by Nancy Miller, strategic relationship manager

People often ask me why e-learning takes so little time for the learner to achieve mastery and application of content compared to the seat time spent in instructor-led learning.  There are many reasons for this efficiency and I’ll mention just a few:
 

1. Some people learn faster than others. Some people read faster than others. If you are faster than the pace set by the instructor, you need to wait as everyone catches up.
2. Learners learn fastest when they are most ready to absorb the knowledge. That may be when they need it “now”  or simply the time of day that they are most alert. This compares with occasions when it takes longer to “get it” such as the “after lunch slowdown” or when your mind is focused on other priorities.
3. Human interactions such as welcomes, distractions, setup, socialization, etc. are eliminated.
4. Classes budget for break time, but breaks often stretch until all the participants return to their seats.
5. Effective e-Learning includes context, challenge, activity and feedback.  It is time consuming to provide that to learners in a classroom setting.
6. Unlike instructors, e-Learning never has an “off” day when instruction and learning are compromised and therefore may need repeating.