My last article provided guidelines for choosing a learning portal ("How to Find Your Way Through a Learning Portal," May 26, 2000). Today's article will focus on how to choose the right online course to meet your needs.
If you work for a small business or a division of large company, your training options most likely are limited to taking a continuing education or non-credit course through the local community college or university, attending an off-site public seminar or (if you're lucky) going to a conference workshop. In some cases, your company might rent training videos or purchase a computer-based training course. What do you want to learn? Develop your learning objectives by completing this statement: "After taking this course, I will be able to..." Use this statement to determine if a particular course will meet your learning objectives. What's your personal learning style? Most learners feel more comfortable if they know there is an instructor available to guide them and answer their questions. Other people prefer to learn at their own pace. Many learners like to interact with other attendees through discussion groups or chats. Visual learners like more graphics than text. Other learners prefer to listen to narration than read text.
Choose a course with delivery methods that are compatible with your learning style. A self-study course may not be right for you if you learn best with an instructor and group discussion. If you prefer a self-study course, determine the extent to which you can control the pace of the course and the order in which to take lessons. Where do you plan to take the course? Decide ahead of time where you'll take the course. Will you take it at your desk or at some other location? Plan to take the course where you'll be free from distractions and interruptions. Some people choose to take their course before or after work hours. (See Late Breaking News below.) How much time can you realistically devote to the course? Some courses can be completed in an hour or two. Others may take a week or more. Match course duration with the time you have available. What type of computer system do you plan to use for the course? Your computer's Internet connection and processor speed will determine how well the course will run on your system. Some courses require plug-ins, such as Flash. A few courses may not be accessible or run properly because of your company's network configuration or firewall. In some cases, the vendor can adapt the course to your Internet hook-up.
Since more companies are providing their employees with access to the Internet, now you have the option of taking online courses.
What to consider
Here are some things to consider before you look for an online course:
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