East meets west: a web-based training needs analysis of e-learning professionals across cultures

Interest in delivering training, especially via innovative and exploratory methods such as e-learning or blended formats, has received increasing attention over the past decade (Welsh et al., 2003). The current study, through funding from the European Commission, brings together four universities, two in Europe and two in South East Asia, to develop a training programme for teaching professionals who wish to move into the e-teaching arena from a face to face one. First, the issue of how the training will be delivered, and second, what will be delivered in the training are critical components to be addressed prior to training implementation. The current work is an exploratory study designed to investigate what Eastern and Western participants feel are important aspects of training. Communication, student support, design issues and working with the learning environment emerged as the main training needs areas...