LMS PRACTICES TO SUPPORT WORKPLACE E-LEARNING

Abstract

Purpose: The overall purpose of this study is to investigate workplace e-learning in a contemporary setting in order to contribute to companies developing their training and to the research on workplace e-learning. This is approached by scrutinising learning needs and instructional approaches for e-learning, by investigating the potential for evaluating online learning activity based on Learning Analytics data collected by Learning Management Systems (LMS) and by researching the relation between learning goals and job performance. This is examined through the case of an international European corporate organisation with geographically distributed employees that recently implemented a new LMS. Theory: Anderson’s model of Value Learning (2007) is used as a theoretical framework to interpret how learning should be viewed in corporate organisations. According to Anderson (2007), since workplace learning aims to primarily facilitate employees in their working tasks, learning should be aligned with the organisation’s strategic business goals. Anderson’s model (2007) has inspired us further to investigate the employees’ perspective on the relation between learning goals and job performance indicators, such as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Method: A case study was conducted in the settings of an international corporate organisation with a large number of geographically distributed employees during their LMS implementation stage. The study took place in the Swedish headquarters and was divided into three phases including meta-synthesis of literature on e-learning approaches, semi-structured interviews with managers and a questionnaire survey with employees. Results: The study highlights e-learning approaches that could fit the company’s training which consists of onboarding practices, blended learning, mandatory and elective courses. Additionally, it indicates the LMS reports that are potentially useful for the different managers when evaluating the employees’ online learning activity. Finally, the study describes the prospects from aligning a department’s’ KPIs to the learning goals of their digital courses in order to develop workplace e-learning. The study’s results aim to promote learning and development and workplace e-learning in corporate organisations.