Professional development more reliant on e-technologies

Experts have said that online approaches to learning and assessment are making a huge impact on professional development and training for finance professionals, and will continue to do so in the future.According to a report titled, "The e-professional: embracing learning technologies," by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, e-learning and e-assessment offers the possibility of rich and complex solutions to create a better learning experience, as well as developing more challenging and realistic tests of skills and competences. The Executive Director, Learning and Products, ACCA, Ms. Clare Minchington, said, "We commissioned this report to gauge how employers are adopting technology-enabled learning and assessment, and also to understand the key drivers for its adoption."Lighthouses research and the insights from the panellists dispel common myths about technology-based learning and development. For example, that e-learning and assessment lack sophistication and rigour. This is clearly not the case, as the panellists stated that e-learning creates a better learning experience, as well as developing more challenging and realistic tests of skills and competences. Importantly, this new way of developing professionals fits with the preferences and expectations of the 21st century finance professional."The distinguished panel, according to the statement was pulled from experts from multinational corporations, global professional services firms, learning providers and other professional bodies.The panellists clarified the benefits of e-learning, confirming that there was no perceived decrease in quality when technology-enhanced learning and assessment was compared with physical, classroom and paper-based learning and assessment. The statement quoted the panellists as saying, "e-learning provides more sophisticated options for gaining knowledge and applying it than in the past, due to rapid developments in mobile devices and applications such as Skype and smart phones."These technological advancements are changing the way professionals learn, so that options are more flexible and fit for purpose. Learning now revolves around work, rather than work accommodating study leave."
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