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| Most enterprises who are realizing the real cost savings associated with e-learning are those with a geographically-dispersed workforce, making face-to-face learning a delivery method that must be used judiciously. In light of current security concerns and the increasing costs of travel, more and more businesses are investigating alternatives to conducting in-person classroom training. Being a global business brings with it the requirement of accommodating the diverse needs of employees in multiple countries, speaking multiple languages -- which often means that training content must be constructed in a way that is appropriate for a variety of cultures, races, religions and ethnicities. This brings a unique set of challenges to organizations seeking to implement a consistent, broad-based learning curriculum. Lotus workplace learning software provides a flexible, configurable user interface, where users select their language and location preferences. The ability to select from 15 languages means that users across the globe can access learning using an interface and documentation in their native language. Supporting this multilingual, multinational framework on a single server greatly simplifies the overall administration of enterprise-wide learning, allowing for multiple front-end interfaces and a single back-end system that manages and reports on all learner activities.
Once the language and locale considerations of the learning platform have been addressed, a challenge remains for global organizations: that of creating content that is acceptable and reusable across a variety of cultures. To maximize return on investment of content development, it is important to design for global delivery from the outset; re-designing content to make it appropriate for use in different cultures can be an expensive proposition. |
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The following are general design guidelines for content that is to be delivered globally:
- Respect cultural, ethnic, sexual, and religious diversity
- Avoid historical or political references
- Be aware of cultural taboos and customs
- Include a balance of different cultures and societies in graphics and text
- Use universal icons and avoid text on icons that must be translated or that might require additional space once translated
- Use international symbols that are easily recognized
- Keep text and graphics separate to simplify content translation in the future
- Choose colors carefully; the meaning of colors differs across cultures
- Create text that is clear, concise, in active voice, in present tense, and in short sentences
- Allow 30% more space for translated text
- Do not use abbreviations or slang, jargon or colloquialisms
IBM Lotus workplace learning products empower global organizations to increase workforce productivity, accelerate employees' time to performance, and maximize human capital across the entire organization. They provide competitive advantage by enabling organizations to recruit, retain, and re-skill employees -- no matter where they're located -- while at the same time shortening sales and product development cycles.
Recognized in two 2003 Gartner e-learning Magic Quadrant reports for our strong performance, clear vision of market direction, and active dedication to building competencies to sustain a leadership position in the e-learning market, IBM and Lotus have a long history of delivering learning solutions to our global customers |
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