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Supporting Workplace Learning pp 47–67Cite as

Experiences of E-Learning and Its Delivery Among Learners Who Work: A Systematic Review

Part of the Professional and Practice-based Learning book series (PPBL,volume 5)

Abstract

The development of educational opportunities among learners who work is increasingly recognised as an important mechanism in transferring skills and knowledge from the academic environment and embedding them within working practice. This review aims to explore and describe the experience of e-learning among students in employment. A systematic review and thematic analysis of studies evaluating the experience of online learning among working learners in the UK. Literature searches identified 41 relevant studies. Five key themes emerged from the data that influenced the learning experience of students: peer communication; support; flexibility; knowledge validation; and course presentation and design. Given that the effectiveness of online learning is mediated by the learning experience, course designers and providers need to take careful account of these issues if they are to enhance working learners' experience of e-learning. This synthesis offers a new means for understanding the experience of online learning for those in formal employment, which can be used to inform the delivery of such courses.

Keywords

  • Systematic review
  • Thematic analysis
  • E-Learning
  • Online learning
  • Situated learning
  • Moderated learning
  • Working students
  • Higher Education
  • Qualitative Studies
  • Student Experience
  • United Kingdom

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Acknowledgements

This review draws on data collected for a project funded by the UK Higher Education Academy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Sheffield, School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK

    Christopher Carroll, Andrew Booth, Diana Papaioannou & Anthea Sutton

Authors
  1. Christopher Carroll
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  2. Andrew Booth
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  3. Diana Papaioannou
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  4. Anthea Sutton
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher Carroll .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept Human Resource Studies, Tilburg University, Postbus 90153, Tilburg, 5000 LE, Netherlands

    Rob F. Poell

  2. Dept. Human Resource Studies, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands

    Marianne van Woerkom

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Carroll, C., Booth, A., Papaioannou, D., Sutton, A. (2011). Experiences of E-Learning and Its Delivery Among Learners Who Work: A Systematic Review. In: Poell, R., van Woerkom, M. (eds) Supporting Workplace Learning. Professional and Practice-based Learning, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9109-3_4

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