Through a workshop and subsequent survey, the Association has developed a picture of the developers and distributors of goods and services in the Victorian eLearning sector.
According to the census, there are about 100 businesses in Victoria directly involved in providing eLearning goods and services, as well as other businesses for which eLearning is not their core business activity.
For this census, eLearning has been defined as the use of ICT to achieve or enhance teaching and learning outcomes. eLearning is not, of itself, the technology involved, nor is it the delivery of eLearning but is an essential value add. eLearning uses technology to enhance the teaching and learning experience.
The elearning industry is both emerging and vibrant, and it is interesting to note that each business serves three to four market sectors on average, with the Government (non education), secondary and university sectors being the most common sectors. Having said that, all sectors are well represented by the industry although a much lower proportion is involved in the preschool and primary sector.
Through the census it became clear that there is a significant amount of activity in eLearning consultancy and professional support services – it isn’t just an industry selling products or specific services. Many suppliers work with clients to devise the best use of their software, with some eLearning businesses purely advising on the use of eLearning technologies and concepts.
Approximately half of the sector’s focus is on design and manufacture of eLearning tools.
As we indicated in the November edition of eLearn, the eLearning sector is serviced by many smaller businesses.
In fact, 56% have only one or two full time equivalent employees working in eLearning, and many have part time staff. It is important to note that for many businesses, eLearning forms only part of their income and often a small part.
Just under one third of eLearning sales are made within Victoria, and 21% is sold overseas. Interestingly, this figure jumps to 56% of sales within Victoria when only businesses with one or two full time employees working in eLearning.
While it is great to see Victorian businesses contributing to the larger community, there is potential for increasing sales within Victoria for many eLearning businesses.
The final conclusion of the report was: the industry is clearly an industry that can be distinguished from its context with a clear potential for development and significantly adding to the Victorian economy.
What the census did not reveal was the users’ side of the industry. Our suspicion is that much of the eLearning is produced and consumed outside of the industry. The Association is exploring this dimension of the industry and we hope to have a clearer picture of this for our next edition.
