If you plan to use e-Learning and the different technologies associated with this way of delivering learning, then you should consider how you are going to monitor its effectiveness.

Bear in mind that it can be quite difficult to isolate the special effect of the use of technologies from other delivery methods and attribute them to improvements.

Here is a list of questions for you to think about

• Are there benchmarks against which you can to measure the effectiveness?
• Are there any national or regional benchmarks which you can use?
• What kind of technologies are you going to evaluate? e.g. use of mobile devices, use of learning management system, use of collaborative workspaces
• What actions are you going to take as a result of the work?
• What do you think you will change as a result of the work?
• How are you going to make the findings of this work available to staff? For example, through case studies, newsletters, staff training.

What kinds of things will you look at when monitoring the effectiveness of different learning technologies?

• Has its use had a measurable impact on performance?
• What has been its impact on helping to deliver NHS targets and agendas?
• Has there been a return on investment as a result of its use?
• Is there evidence of upskilling, a more confident workforce and numbers of people upskilled as a result of using it?
• Has it improved recruitment and retention?
• Has it improved progression to other roles?
• Has it improved patient safety?
• Has there been a reduction in the time it takes to introduce new procedures or knowledge?

You will want to add to this list, depending on your circumstances.

How might  you collect the evidence?

• patient feedback
• learner surveys
• trainer surveys
• comparisons of results with previous years or courses.
• collection of data on recruitment, performance, retention

You will want to add to this list depending on your circumstances.

Related Resources

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  Enhancing Learning and Technology through the use of technology
  

  A revised approach to HEFCE's strategy for e-Learning. This is an example of e-Learning strategy and development in the Further Education Sector.

  Download file (141.3 KB pdf)

  
  

  http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2009/09_12/09_12.pdf
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  Using digital media to access information and good practice for paid carers of older people
  

  Report by University of Brighton to explore the feasibility and the appropriateness of digital technologies to support the work of paid carers in residential care homes for older people.

  http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/reports/report15.pdf