What can academics learn from corporate e-learning management systems?

Online learning (e-learning) management systems are widely used by corporations; the adoption of these systems is driven by two major factors: The opportunity to reduce training and development costs and the utility of leveraging such systems to ensure that their employees have the required skills and ability to their jobs. E-learning systems are key components in corporate human resource management systems and are typically included in performance management and human capital management systems. Because corporate e-learning solutions are often more sophisticated than the online learning management systems utilized in higher education, universities are in a position to learn from e-learning developments in the corporate world. This paper provides insight into corporate e-learning management systems with special attention devoted to how they incorporate reusable learning modules and utilize various forms of assessment to improve the quality of the learning outcomes. It also provides suggestions as to how corporate experiences might be transferred into the academic world.