Divided by common learning?

The CIPD annual survey report on Learning and Development, says on e-learning:

However, the expected use of e-learning has possibly been overanticipated, with less than half (47%) using more e-learning and a quarter (26%) saying they don’t use or no longer use e-learning. This is possibly because few feel it is the most effective learning and development practice (7%).

If you read the latest report from ASTD (US based organisation who say they are the 'leading association for workforce learning professionals') the results are very different:


"One of the significant findings from the 2008 State of the Industry report is the consistent upward trend of technology-based delivery methods. E-learning now accounts for nearly one-third of learning content made available."

What is the reason for this difference? That could warrant some research all of its own. ASTD say that "ASTD estimates that U.S. organizations spent $134.39 billion on employee learning and development in 2007." Going on today's rate, that's around £84 billion. So they obviously engage in L&D.

According to the LSC's National Employer Skills Survey:
"Employer training spend for 2007 was £38.6bn"

The CIPD also say:

"The smallest companies tend to have smaller budgets but spend more per employee (£375), while the larger companies (those employing more than 5,000 employees) spend the smallest amount per employee (£108)."

Whilst ASTD in the US say, for one major sector, "average direct expenditure per employee was $1,609 in 2007."

Maybe I'm comparing apples with pears and the comparison isn't fair, but is it their tech-savvy culture that has meant the easier adoption of e-learning? I found this little bon mot:

"75 percent of Americans use the Internet and spend an average three hours a day online."

Brad Stone, "Hi-Tech's New Day", Newsweek, April 11, 2005, p. 62

That was a few years back too. I wonder what the UK equivalent is? I could probably find it somewhere, but to be honest, I'm not sure that is the issue. Yes, the UK (home and business) have more than adequate access to the internet and to computers, so why is e-learning not 'working' in the UK like it purportedly does in the US?

Having tried blended, e-learning and face to face, my personal preferences lie with the latter. Learning styles notwithstanding (I think you'll find 'activist' pretty much covers my preferences), is it just that we are not as good at it as those in the US?

It's a cultural conundrum, one which could make a big difference to e-learning providers in the UK.

e-learning elearning e learning