SURVEYS OF ONLINE TEACHING AND TRAINING - Two survey reports related
to the use of the Internet in teaching and training have been made available online. "Online
Teaching in an Online World" looks at the preferences of 222 college instructors who
have used the Web to share syllabi and course resources in the World Lecture Hall or
MERLOT.org The report examines instructor training, support and resource exchange,
as well as e-Learning attrition rates, decision-making and tool preferences. The second
report, "Online Training in an Online World," based on survey responses of 201
corporate trainers, looks at the types of training offered online, organizational factors
limiting the adoption of e-Learning, preferred e-Learning instructional approaches and
e-Learning assessment. For more information, visit: http://publicationshare.com/
(Syllabus News, Resources, Trends, 26 Feb 02)

CUSTOMER LEARNING - Think of the Call Center as a natural dispensing point for
a wide range of customer learning resources! At the end of every call from a customer
to a call center, whether it is for technical assistance, transaction support or other
requirements, there is an opportunity for dispensing e-Learning. Right now, the bulk of
the dialog occurs verbally, with an occasional follow-up by email or to a link on the web.

But, what if the Call Center Representative could launch an e-Learning module to the
customer? So, instead of being "walked through" a procedure, the user would have a step by
step learning module, that could linger and be used for future support. These modules
could either be procedural or conceptual, and would walk the talk of that proverb:
In addition, the CRM field also is a perfect point to integrate learning resources. The
sales rep or sales center can use e-Learning or collaborative technologies to extend
the relationship with the customer. Customer learning is a strong part of the future of
how learning serves the need of organizations. While we have seen the bulk of
e-Learning action focused on the training of employees, there is a parallel and often
larger opportunity to supply learning to customers. (TechLearn Trends #229, 19 Feb 02)

THE GROWTH OF e-LEARNING - Greater Washington Initiative managing partner
Thomas G. Morr believes that the idea to gather eLearning around Washington DC is
becoming a reality. Online learning companies around the Washington, DC area are
working closely together to attract more eLearning companies to the region, making it
a hub for eLearning companies. At present there are 65 firms selling either eLearning
technology or content, with the Department of Education, the teachers' union and a
number of educational nonprofits based there as well. The eLearning market is
expected to grow faster in the corporate sector, reaching $15 billion in two years, while
higher education is expected to increase its eLearning spending by about $2 billion per
year. By 2007, it is anticipated that the eLearning market will have grown to $40 billion.
(Washington Times, 18 Feb 02)