The material also contains links the students can click on if they need more information or if they don't understand something. Despite the hype, e-learning isn't likely to replace the classroom or seminar. Nevertheless, Motorola wants to make e-learning part of an ongoing process in every worker's job. The main reason, she says, is that e-learning improves the technological competency of employees. But cutting-edge products coming out now are so engaging they're almost addictive, Mr. Urdan says.
Trainees take charge of the events in the simulations, and their choices dictate the outcome.
Calif. The company, which has developed online seminars for Duke University's Fuqua School, offers customized simulations that can include a customer's product. Customers can buy immediate support, he says, but few go to that expense. Most users complete an exercise in a course and then submit it to their tutor for comment. Instead of waiting around for a response, Mr. Gordon says most users then either move on to the next exercise or log off and go back to work, returning to their coursework later to find the answer, or score, from a tutor. Fast tutor support is critical in maintaining an engaging experience.