E-business and e-learning coalescence: opportunities and challenges

During 2004-2005 a project conducted in Tasmania, Australia, examined e-learning adoption from the perspective of registered training organisations (RTOs) and enterprises in five industry sectors. The project focussed on five industries areas and within these industries, detailed interviews were conducted with selected enterprises and industry representatives. An online survey of all Tasmanian RTOs' e-learning readiness was conducted, followed by in-depth interviews with RTOs providing training to the five industries. From these interviews, opportunities for RTOs and enterprises to work together to develop information and communications technology (ICT)-based solutions to training needs were identified. Findings of the report give useful insight into the tensions that exist for both training and industry, caused by the maturing adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) to support learning and business. It contends that there are continuums of adoption of ICT in enterprises and of e-learning readiness in RTOs that create tension as e-learning and e-business begin to coalesce. It suggests that this coalescence creates both opportunities to be capitalised on and challenges to be met. A key feature of this coalescence is the increased demands it places on [vocational and technical education] VTE practitioners, especially for successful work-based training. It will become increasingly important for RTOs to see themselves as part of a business problem solving team, and to understand the business needs of fully ICT-integrated enterprises.

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