'Boring' e-learning fails to engage staff

Cultural and technological barriers are hindering the wider use of e-learning among UK organisations.

A survey of 998 managers by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and Centre for Applied Human Resource Research found only 54 per cent have used e-learning tools in the last year and just 20 per cent have participated in a structured e-learning programme.

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Resistance to e-learning is caused by the loss of human touch, with 72 per cent preferring face-to-face conversations and 37 per cent opting for tutor-led development.

Another barrier is limited interaction. Almost a third (28 per cent) said e-learning content is not engaging and just under half (46 per cent) said there are too many distractions diverting them from PC-based learning material.

Jo Causon, director of marketing and corporate affairs at the CMI, said until organisations provide engaging development tools and support alongside these, uptake of e-learning "will continue to be slow".

But she said integrating e-learning programmes with social networking tools is one way organisations can engage young and junior employees.