But rapid eLearning also prompts many questions. These include: How rapid is rapid? What are the different strategies for developing rapid capability in an organisation? Which tools are the best? How effective is rapid content versus traditional eLearning content?

Based on its research into rapid eLearning in leading corporates, Elearnity has produced a suite of free 'Insight Papers' to provide much-needed structure to the rapid eLearning debate - a debate that has historically been dominated by a focus on tools and the "good enough" nature of the content produced. The papers provide a high-level analysis of what makes "rapid eLearning" truly rapid and provides the models that put it into a clearer perspective.

"The purpose of the research papers is to help corporates develop their thinking about rapid eLearning and to inform and broaden their view", said David Perring, Principal Analyst at Elearnity. The papers cover three initial perspectives and are entitled:

• Core Insights into Rapid Elearning
• Managing Rapid Elearning, and
• The Strategic Impact of Rapid Elearning.

The Core Insights paper looks at what rapid eLearning is and reflects on the tools, suitable projects, and the issues. Managing Rapid ELearning explores rapid eLearning management styles, processes, team organisation, the "rapid "project life cycle, and the critical success factors. And the Strategic Impact paper highlights the longer-term market and corporate implications of rapid eLearning as a whole. Elearnity have also created an Executive Viewpoint that provides a high level summary of rapid eLearning for senior managers.

In addition to the papers, Elearnity has also announced a collaborative research project looking at the deeper realities, questions, and effectiveness of rapid eLearning in major corporates. "There is a myth about rapid eLearning tools", said David Perring. "If you look at things objectively, it's the processes and intent that make rapid eLearning truly rapid.


It's time to lift the lid on rapid eLearning. Leading corporates are using a wide range of 'rapid' approaches and tools, but there has been no analysis of what really works best in different contexts. There is a massive blind spot in the comparative effectiveness of materials, production models, and implementation techniques."

Starting in late June and early July, Elearnity's collaborative research on rapid eLearning will bring together a group of corporate eLearning organisations to explore these issues in much greater depth and to develop and critically review accepted best practice in rapid eLearning. The project includes independent profiling of participant organisations' opportunities, experiences, and challenges; a series of group workshops; expert research and analysis of corporate best practice; critical analysis of vendor solutions and strategies; and accelerated concepts and frameworks.


Organisations who would like to participate in this exciting project are invited to contact Elearnity.