Learning Executives Turn to More E-learning, Reports LCXI Study

Travel restrictions and a greater shift to e-learning and virtual delivery are anticipated by the majority of learning executives (69.6 percent and 55.8 percent, respectively) involved in the latest survey by the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD).

Overall, the confidence of learning executives is beginning to stabilize, according to the ASTD’s Learning Executive Confidence Index (LXCI).

The highlights of the LXCI for first quarter 2009 include:

>> Only 7.1 percent of learning execs indicated that current economic conditions will have no impact on the learning function in the next six months, down from 12.8 percent in Q3 2008 and 11.4 percent in Q4 2008.

>> The “Impact on Corporate Performance” index reversed previous downward trends.

>> Two indices, “Ability to Meet Learning Needs” and “Status as a Key Strategic Component,” stabilized.

>> The “Availability of Resources” index fell 2.8 points, and most learning executives forecasted decreases in their learning expenditures over the next six months, as well as a decline in use of external services to aid the learning function.

>> The majority, 58.1 percent, reported that their industry performance will remain the same or improve over the next six months.

This index, launched last August, is designed to assess the outlooks and expectations of learning executives for the next six months