E-Learning White Papers

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Strategy, Mission & Vision
Creating Your eLearning Strategy (PinnEast) - Eight step process for creating an e-learning strategy. Good tips. No sample doc.
The DNA of eLearning (Jay Cross & Ian Hamilton, 2002) - Short history of e-Learning technologies with six trends taking us into the future.

Human Capital Development & Management and ERP Systems - (Saba) Excellent paper describing the evolution of enterprise-wide software applications and the emerging move to human capital management systems. Good compare and contrast between HCM and ERP systems.

Visions 2020: Transforming Education and Training Through Advanced Technologies (US Dept of Commerce, Sept 2002)) - Visioning exercise about the future of e-learning, primarily in the area of K - 12. Wide range of contributors from George Lucas Educational Foundation, Harvard, UC Berkeley, HP Labs, Maxis, and an introduction by Bill Gates.

Learning Requirements Planning: An Enterprise-wide Learning Management Approach (Karl Kapp, PhD, Bloomsburg Institute for Interactive Technology, 2001) - Provides a system for planning and managing educational processes within large organizations.

LMS / LCMS
Learning Management Systems: The Backbone of Your Training System (THINQ) - LMS overview (101 level). What is an LMS, benefits, trend research showing 60% of all large organizations will soon have one, etc.

A Guide to Learning Management Systems (elementk) - Another good overview to what an LMS does. Eight basic components: student management, learning event mgmt, course delivery, course authoring, skill assessment, career development, knowledge bases, learner-based personalization.

LCMS and LMS: Taking Advantage of Tight Integration (Click2Learn) - Basic description of the similarities and differences between LMS and LCMS products. Promotes tight LMS-LCMS integration with open standards (e.g., SCORM).

Integrating Your LMS with Your ERP System (THINQ) - ERP/HRMS systems focus on personnel records, benefits and payroll with just limited components for employee training. An LMS offers student registration, course launching and detailed tracking. Two options exist for getting an HRMS talking with an LMS: batch data swaps and seamless data sharing.

Ten Steps to Successfully Selecting an LMS (Docent/LGuide) - Good report for those just starting on this journey. Includes info on building the business requirements, non-functional specs, researching vendors, conducting LMS vendor shoot-outs, RFPs, and cultural change.

e-Learning Benefits, ROI, Business Case, Analytics

Analytics: The Economics of Learning (Saba, Feb 2003)

Training: A Critical Success Factor in Implementing a Technology Solution (Jan 2003, Radiant Systems) - makes a solid business case for blended learning for technology training. Good discussion of creating a "learning blueprint", creating a roll-out strategy for different learners, a financial analysis, and a list of seven critical success factors.

Building a Business Case for eLearning (GeoLearning) - Overview to value of business case with several examples. "Template" provides a list of potential business case topics.

How e-Learning Can Increase ROI for Training (THINQ) - Good summary and primer of all major e-Learning benefits including: reduction of travel, save time, opportunity costs, consistency of delivery, and individualization.

ROI Profile: IBM Mindspan Solutions (Nucleus) - You HAVE to check this out if you haven't seen it already. Independent ROI company studied an IBM e-learning project for management training. Truly stunning results. Wave this 5 page analysis in your CEO and CFO's face and you're sure to get funding for your own initiative.

Case Study : International Rectifier (MS-Word) - Many cost savings and efficiencies.

eLearning: Panacea or Culture Change? (AdVal Group Nov 2000) - Very readable introduction to business change and value of e-learning. Most unique is "Ten Stage Route Map to Success."

e-Learning Vendor Selection & Management

Managing e-Learning: A Beginner's Guide to Harmonious Buyer-Supplier Relationships (Kevin Kruse) - What goes wrong; how to write an RFP; contract details; project management; six rules for good relationships.

Live e-Learning: A Checklist to Choose a Solution thats Right for You (Docent/Interwise) - Summary of synchronous training tools and about 30 questions to ask before you buy one.

eLearning Technology Checklist (PinnEast) - Great for vendors or purchasers of e-Learning alike, this three page checklist ensures that all relevant tech specs are gathered for project kick-off or for accurate proposal creation (e.g., browswer versions, Flash availability, choice of authoring system, multimedia requirements, etc.).

Industry & Investment Analysis

Learning Markets & Opportunities 2002 (Eduventures Nov 2002) - 7th Annual summary of industry revenues by market category. From K-12, to corporate to testing to higher ed. (You'll need free log-in to access.) Also PDF of presentation summary on 2002/2003 market click here.

Distance Learning at the Tipping Point (Eduventures Sept 2002) - While much of the corporate e-learning market is moving in slow motion, this study credibly shows where others are moving like an Indy car -- namely the higher education market. Eduventures estimates that credit-based online distance learning is growing in excess of 40% a year, with a count of 350,000 students currently enrolled, generating $1.75 billion in annual tuition revenue. (You'll need free log-in to access.)

Evolving Business Models in e-Learning (SRI Consulting - BI) - Excellent overview to where the industry has been and where it is heading. Good reading for CLO's, consultants, and vendors. If pictures are worth a thousand words, make sure you check out the excellent figures: Technology Evolution, Vendor Alliances, Potential Competitors, and Key Drivers to Demand.

Misc Topics
Getting Organizations to Adopt E-Learning (Hawthorne 2002)

Making PDFs Fly (Integration New Media, 2003)

eLearning and ASP: A Happy Marriage? (Syntegra, May 2003)
Discusses the pro's and con's of the Application Service Provider (ASP) model as it relates to e-learning. Good solid discussion of ASP value chain, what should go into Service Level Agreements (SLA's) and common challenges.

Critical Analysis of eLearning Industry (Gary Woodill,Ed.D., 2004)

Source: http://www.e-learningguru.com/wpaper.htm