Final answer:
To create an effective online learning program, incorporate interactive online resources and measure the program's effectiveness across four areas: immediate employee response, learning outcomes, behavioral changes, and productivity results. The content should be current, relevant, and cater to various learning styles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Developing an Effective Online Learning Program
To develop an effective online learning program for a company, a reference to Technology-Based Training Methods is instrumental. Drawing from the chapter, the program should be designed to measure its effectiveness in four key areas as identified by Arthur, Bennett, Eldens, and Bell's 2003 study: the immediate response of employees, the learning outcomes achieved, behavioral changes in job performance, and tangible results such as productivity and profits.
Interactive online resources should be integrated, including animations, videos, and enrichment readings that align with learning objectives. It is essential to utilize technology not just for its sake but to enhance the learning experience, which could range from sophisticated courseware platforms to as simple as 'pencil and paper'.
Ensuring that the learning material is suited to the participants' pace and style guarantees higher engagement and retention. Learning outcomes should be clear from the onset, which could include encouraging peer interaction for better assimilation and reflection on the content. Incorporating elements from Open Educational Resources (OER) technology could help to keep content current and relevant.
Finally, addressing the discrepancies in the effectiveness of various technologies, educational leaders should critically assess and adopt those that offer the most significant benefit to their specific student population.