More Firms Seen to Adopt eLearning (Source: IT Matters)
By Eleanore C. Sanchez
E-learning as a more efficient medium for corporate training is gaining acceptance in the Philippine market.
Yapster e-Learning, Inc., chief operating officer Bill Spindloe said in a telephone interview yesterday that the business sector is starting to adopt e-learning tools despite tight budgets.
"We expect to grow four to five times this year compared to last year. I think that is mainly an indication of the maturity of the business sector as a user of e-learning tools", he observed.
He further noted both multinational firms and large enterprises as well as small and medium businesses (SMBs) are showing awareness of the benefits of e-learning to their operations. Mr. Spindloe explained that the firm saw existing clients expand their e-learning strategy this year.
For instance, he said that its client diversified conglomerate Aboitiz Corporation adopted e-learning in eight other holding firms.
Another multinational firm is planning to use the Philippines as a training repository to support its other operations in Asia, including Singapore and Thailand, he said.
"I think part of the reason for the expansion is that they find it a lot more cost effective to buy as a group", he noted.
These corporations use e-learning to facilitate training in sales, market trend and brand management and customer communications, he added.
Specifically, he said, computer-aided learning is used to facilitate pre- and post- training tasks. These are supplemented with classroom type discussions.
Mr. Spindloe further noted that the technology is used to train managers in large companies.
Meanwhile, he observed that several issues limit its full adoption in the SMB space.
Among others, he noted that many SMBs do not have formal human resources training departments that could facilitate the training programs.
"Cost is not much of an issue for them, but most of the firms we have spoken with do not have the information technology (IT) capability to support e-learning", he added