E‐learner experiences: learning from the pioneers

Purpose – To share the experiences of e‐learning pioneers with regard to the cultural change necessary for e‐learning to be successfully adopted in an organisation. Design/methodology/approach – Based on 29 research case studies. Findings – A cultural change needs to take place in organisations for e‐learners to engage in the process. Blending e‐learning with other forms of learning can be a useful introduction to the discipline, but enthusiasm soon wears off. Common resistances to the concept are explored including lack of time and the loneliness of e‐learning, and how the “any where, any time” element of the provision can be as much of a hindrance as of a help. Practical implications – Suggestions given for ways of overcoming the difficulties encountered by the case study organisations. Originality/value – Reflections of early adopters of e‐learning highlights areas of success and difficulty to help other organisations to avoid the same pitfalls.