Dear e-learning technology users, here’s a question I’d be interested to raise and get your impartial opinions. Would you consider paying for extra support within your e-Learning course? Imagine you are having difficulty with a particular module or feature, or there is a general area you’re unclear on. Is it worthy to shell out to get the problem solved?
If yes, where would you look for assistance? Might there be an expert in the field/experienced trainer or some e-Learning source/knowledge library that would help you get the right answers? How would you evaluate the efficiency of both sources? Would reviews have any influence on the decision?
Tastes differ, yet here are a few random opinions I gleaned from my network and on the web.
I’d rather pay for “offline” help
Some users maintain it’s definitely worth paying for support when you’re aspiring to learn a new trick on your own. That would cut down the learning curve, save you a lot of time and effort, and help avoid mistakes most novices make. However, many people argue that it’s the responsibility of solution providers to provide ad hoc tools/modules for additional help.
Beware of fake “gurus”
“Yes, I would pay,” reply others. However, you should be aware of incompetent tutors and self-proclaimed coaches. You need to be cautious and ask for reviews from real people. Some research won’t do any harm here.
As a last resort
Others rely on personal connections rather than professionals. Indeed, it never hurts to ask among people you know and get help with your struggles. Any advice or reference might be useful. Needless to say, it’s usually free or low-cost, as opposed to the considerably high fees experts charge. If nothing helps, reaching out for professional support might be an option.
Personally, I don’t see how offline help contradicts built-in e-Learning assistance. If someone needs extra tips in the process, all sources are good. However, it always depends on your goals and sometimes the field of study. A trivial system task may invoke better feedback from the web community. “Rocket science” initiatives will scarcely receive as much help from non-professionals.
In any case, sometimes it’s important to get an outside perspective or otherwise supplement your picture of the subject. This is where “offline” mentors lead the field. As far as a specific course is concerned, most learning management systems provide in-depth activity analysis and may unlock extra features so you can easily catch up on the technical side.
There is no better advice than to stay away from bad advisers. With so much marketing hype penetrating the learning industry, it has become a daunting task to encounter competent support. Be picky, and check if you have really exhausted the features of your specific platform. You might be surprised how modern technology can help with your seemingly insurmountable struggles.
Please take a minute to respond to the survey below. Much appreciated!
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Are you currently using paid mentorship? Are you happy with the results? What criteria would you recommend to fellow users? As always, your comments and feedback are welcome.
