By Monica McAtee

Business owners and employees have many different opinions and experiences when it comes to online learning-or "e-learning"-for training purposes. But online learning has a simple purpose: to make learning more accessible.

Online Benefits
There are many benefits to using online learning in your organization, but a primary one is cost reduction. Online learning can reduce the cost of travel and materials associated with classroom training.

Many companies also find convenience and flexibility are key benefits of using online learning. This is especially true with companies that have a dispersed and mobile workforce. The adage "time is money" explains it best when online learning typically takes 50 percent less time to deliver and the learner has the ability to revisit the training whenever they need it.

Online learning can be delivered through the Internet or a company's intranet. Each has its pros and cons, but the important question is what will work best within your company's network security. A few basic questions will ensure that your online learning purchase is successful. Does the online tool require special software or plug-ins? Does it require speakers or a headset? Does it require Internet access? By answering these questions, you'll be able to narrow down some of your options.

Delivering Online Learning
There are several different types of online learning tools: self-paced online courses, virtual classrooms, Web casts and blended courses. Each of these can include text, animation, audio and video. The goal for each of these tools is for the user to learn something-a behavior, a piece of information or a system.

An overarching online learning tool is a learning management system (LMS) The following is a high-level description of an LMS concept. An LMS automates the management and delivery of online learning, and is used to house all of the above learning tools. You can log onto an LMS and usually do all of the following: search all learning tools, sign-up for learning, track/report progress and completion, as well as communicate with others through a discussion area or help function. The main goal of an LMS is to organize all training tools and automate the entire process-which improves accountability. If you're interested in seeing an LMS, all reputable online companies that offer learning management systems should be willing to walk you through a demonstration.

All of these tools can be purchased as off-the-shelf products or customized to your specific needs. It all comes down to what your learning and performance goals are, as well as how much time and money you want to invest. If you search online for any of the above tools, you'll find out quickly that there are many online learning vendors and a wide variety of product and pricing options. Expensive doesn't always mean better and low cost doesn't always mean poor quality.

Getting Started
So how should you go about investigating online learning for your organization? It all depends on your learning strategy and effectively determining what you want the learning tool to do for you. When seeking an online company to partner with, here are some key questions to ask:

• Do they have consultants who can assist you in identifying an online learning strategy? 
  
• Do they have skilled instructional designers who understand how to write content for various online learning tools? 
  
• Is their primary competency custom development or off-the-shelf products?

You also should be prepared to answer questions about your company's technology, including your computers, software and network. If you have a limited budget, make sure to ask if the company provides scalable solutions to accommodate your budget restrictions. Local vendors often are able to provide better service and response time, so looking for a vendor in your area can be a great starting point.

Although online learning has its benefits, not all training should be converted to an online format. There are many variables to consider-cost, time and quality. Use the above tips and weigh in these three factors to achieve your learning and performance goals. A good online learning company should partner with you and share ideas about how to maximize your investment and reduce the complexity of your online learning decision.

Monica McAtee is the director of business development with TrioMedia, which specializes in online learning solutions. She can be reached at (913) 888-TRIO or .