In a world in which so much education is available to us online, it is easy to assume that everyone can handle it. Unfortunately, not everyone can handle it and not everyone is motivated by e-learning style trainings. When budget constraints come into play and e-learning training is the outcome, how do you keep the employees motivated who really are not comfortable with the e-learning process? From my experience, e-learning is positive but just like in any training, it can be difficult to keep everyone motivated to keep going.

I don't know the specific answer to this question, but if the purpose and value of online learning is effectively explained and the process is demonstrated, this might motivate some people to explore the process.

I am currently working towards obtaining my Masters Degree on-line. From a students perspective, I agree with you that e-learning can be difficult and it is not for everyone. It can be hard to stay motivated -- it is way too easy to ignore your computer or assignments because no one is there to check up on you or make sure the work is getting done. There are truly no 'immediate' repercussions of not doing the work.

It depends on what kind of "e-learning" you mean...

The issue may not be unmotivated employees, but bad, boring e-learning.

Too much of the e-learning foisted on employees consists of online PowerPoints, with user interaction limited to clicking the Next button. I doze off during that type of e-learning, too!

Does the e-learning include true interaction, such as simulations, problem-solving, or immersive scenarios?

Webinars are simply variations on the PowerPoint theme.

Or are you talking about distance education (instructor-led classes that are a mix of synchronous and asynchronous bits)? Are your employees taking academic courses online for credit/certification? I've had excellent experiences taking software training courses that included online labs. Yes, the course included the typical Webinar/PowerPoint pieces, but the real-time, hands-on labs made it worthwhile.

E-learning is not the best method for all skills or learning styles.

Ask your employees why they don't like the e-learning that's offered to them.