<< previous article | table of contents | next article >>
Survey Says: Widespread Use of E-learning
Sponsored by Isoph (http://www.isoph.com/) and N-TEN (http://www.nten.org/), the 2004 Nonprofit and Association E-learning Survey provides the first broad data on mission-based organizations’ use of e-learning technologies. From August 24 through September 15, 2004, 697 individuals responded to the Web-based survey, offering important insight into how nonprofits develop and use e-learning.
Overall, the survey shows wide and growing adoption of e-learning among nonprofit organizations and associations. More than 54 percent of total respondents are either using e-learning or plan to in the next 12 months. Another 36 percent of respondents indicate interest in e-learning, although they have no definite plans to implement a program.
Reviewing the results, we found some trends emerge.
High Satisfaction
More than 88 percent of survey respondents indicated they are very or somewhat satisfied with their e-learning programs. Another 10 percent reported that they were somewhat dissatisfied, while only 2 percent were very dissatisfied with their e-learning programs.
Key Benefits: Convenience, Access, and Cost-Effectiveness
Almost 88 percent of respondents listed "convenience for learners" as a key benefit of e-learning. "Cost effectiveness" and "ability to reach more learners" were also chosen as key benefits by over 70 percent of respondents.
Biggest Barrier: Staff Time
When asked to report the three biggest barriers for their organization in developing e-learning, "staff time" was the only choice listed by a majority of respondents (54 percent). "Funding," "expertise," "concern about end users' technology," and "concern for effectiveness" were all listed as barriers by at least 30 percent of respondents.
Variety of E-learning
Reflective of their diverse stakeholders, nonprofits and associations use e-learning for multiple purposes and audiences:
-
67 percent use e-learning for staff training.
-
52 percent use e-learning for public workshops.
-
34 percent use e-learning for volunteer training.
-
34 percent use e-learning for training for affiliated organizations or chapters.
-
24 percent use e-learning for advocacy and issue education for donors or the general public.
Self-paced E-learning Most Common
While on-demand, self-paced e-learning is the most common e-learning format, most organizations use a variety of formats. Among respondents reporting they use e-learning:
-
67 percent use on-demand, self-paced e-learning.
-
50 percent use instructor-facilitated, asynchronous e-learning.
-
47 percent use live, synchronous e-learning.
-
29 percent use e-learning programs combined with classroom-based learning.
Mix of Internal and External Resources
Asked how they develop, or plan to develop, their e-learning program, a large majority (62 percent) of respondents indicated they use a mix of in-house resources and consultants and vendors. A small percentage of respondents (22 percent) develop e-learning entirely in-house, and a smaller percentage (16 percent) completely outsource e-learning development.
Large Organizations Most Rapid Adopters
Not surprisingly, the largest organizations are the most rapid adopters of online learning. Of respondents with annual budgets greater than $10 million, 66 percent currently use e-learning, and 61.4 percent expect to increase resources for e-learning in the next year. While small organizations are less likely to have active e-learning programs, e-learning is still a viable option. Almost 30 percent of organizations with budgets less than $500,000 reported using e-learning.
Organizational budget size is not the only characteristic associated with e-learning adoption. Organizations with a wide geographic focus, regardless of budget size, are more likely to use e-learning: More than 50 percent of organizations with an international or national focus use e-learning, while only 30 percent with a local focus have an e-learning program.
From the Survey to the Sector
Moving from survey results to predictions for the whole sector can be dicey. The results of a Web-based survey may disproportionately reflect organizations that already have access to and are comfortable with Internet technologies. Likewise, organizations with an interest in e-learning are more likely to notice and complete a survey on e-learning. Since this survey was not conducted with a random sample, we should not fixate on the exact percentages or assume they can be extrapolated to construct an image of the nonprofit sector as a whole. But, even with those caveats, given the large number of responses, the numbers paint a vibrant picture of e-learning in the sector: its current use and its perceived potential.
<< previous article | table of contents | next article >>
© 2004 Isoph | sophist@isoph.com | subscribe to The Sophist