How professional coach Christine Laperriere became an eLearning convert

Christine is the executive director of the Women of Influence Advancement Centre. She is a professional coach and certified expert in helping people and organizations identify talent and opportunities, build individual skills, and apply them to create powerful, lasting change. To register for one of Christine’s upcoming courses, click here.

BY CHRISTINE LAPERRIERE

When the eLearning craze began, I was not a fan. I pushed back and refused to try it. As someone who has a passion for learning and personal development, I found the whole idea of sitting at my computer for hours on end a sad replacement for the impact of spending a day with like-minded individuals, learning from an engaging facilitator who could answer questions along the way.

So, it is with great humility that I admit I was too quick to judge.

Last winter I found a very specialized program specific to my field that required six full days of training. The material was very unique and focused on skills I wanted to further develop.

I was so excited to find the program that felt right for me. Unfortunately, as I started to review the details, I realized the course was only offered on the West Coast, and I happen to live on the East Coast. Between the time difference and the hours of travel, it was definitely not conveniently located. Plus, I would have to find funding to cover my travel expenses in addition to the training investment. Knowing this, I still decided to review the program dates, and realized that each course happened to conflict with every commitment I had in my calendar, well in to the future.

After much thought, I decided to take the course on-line through the company’s “Virtual Track” eLearning solution. I was concerned that the experience would not be valuable and that I would find the format disappointing.

“I was able to stop and rest my mind when I started to disengage, as opposed to trying to force the absorption of material when I was overwhelmed with new information.”

To my surprise, the benefits of eLearning continued to impress me throughout the program. For six weeks on Sunday afternoons, I sat on my couch in my yoga pants with a pad of paper and a pen, learning a series of new skills from my big screen television. In the comfort of my own home, I felt I really relaxed into the learning experience; I found that I had less distractions from other participants, cold boardrooms, uncomfortable chairs, jet-lagged exhaustion, and urgent work emails. I could recite ideas from each module because I was able to stop and rest my mind when I started to disengage, as opposed to trying to force the absorption of material when I was overwhelmed with new information. The experience converted me—I learned to see the value in eLearning.

This is why I am so excited to be responsible for the design and deployment of the Women of Influence Advancement Centre’s eLearning modules. I believe that eLearning is a fantastic option for those who are balancing numerous priorities while trying to stay committed to their own personal development. It’s lovely to have training that comes to you on the dates you demand, no matter where you live, without the time and expense of travel. It’s very impactful to learn at your own pace in the comfort of your own home or office, when you feel focused and engaged.

Stay tuned for the launch of the Women of Influence Advancement Centre’s eLearning modules. Sign up and be the first to know about the launch of our virtual program.