E-learning in China: News and Trends

Online training (e-learning) is now well-established in the corporate mainstream with firms all over the world using e-learning to lower costs, improve quality and train staff in remote offices. In corporate China e-learning is spreading quickly and this is pushing our definitions and concepts of online training.

I have been working in corporate e-learning in China for five years and seen lots of do's and don'ts when it comes to proper use of these tools. I have also been able to identify some themes and areas where China's adoption of e-learning is different from other countries'.

Here are five of my observation of how e-learning works in China.

1. Video. Students who take e-learning in China have a strong preference for video-based learning and seeing the lecturer or professor on screen. In other places, video e-learning is not as strong (mostly due to bandwidth constraints) but it really is an important criteria for Chinese corporate buyers. Videos can be of lecturers, or related to specific situations (i.e. simulations) but videos really drive people's interest.
2. Interactive. Chinese e-learners want lots of interacte elements and are don't want to just turn digital pages during an e-learning course. Therefore, the companies that are most successful in the Chinese e-learning industry are building in quizzes, simulations, interactive widgets, reference materials (including offline sources), forums and opportunities to interact with teachers, other students of subject-matter experts from their company.
3. Testing. China has a strong foundational education system but is still lacking in vocational and higher education. The workforce is therefore not as prepared for many jobs as you might expect. As a result, there is a huge requirement for testing and certification – you have to prove your knowledge by showing a certification or diploma. Training courses and e-learning programs that deliver a certification or formal degree are in much higher demand than voluntary or non-degree based e-learning.
4. On-Demand. Because the internet backbone is so strong in China (it now has the world’s largest online population) companies are forsaking traditional behind-the-firewall implementations and moving everything outside their company. So purchases are become smaller and more discrete (i.e. “bite-sized learning”) and the involvement of the IT department is decreasing. This means that the e-learning programs can be up-and-running faster so companies can start getting the benefits sooner. We are also seeing the evolution of micro-payment for e-learning courses.
5. Reporting. Buyers of e-learning in China want to know the details of the learning experience and therefore demand sophisticated reporting from the system. These reports are used for evaluations (to determine how satisfied learners are with the courses), ROI calculations, utilization reports, compliance (such as with “China SOX”) and more. These reports are used by management and also shared with external stakeholders like government regulators.

There are lots of good articles, blogs and analyses of e-learning in China. I can't list them all here, but you definitely will want to look up Frank Mulligan's Talent in China blog and other work because he has had lots of experience in the HR and training field in China.

You can also find more material on e-learning in China on my blog, which also reviews compliance and certification in China.