ROI and e-learning: beyond cost and return Josep M. Duart jduart@uoc.edu Director of the International Projects Unit (UOC) Assistant Director of the Edu Lab research group (Internet Interdisciplinary Institute, UOC) Abstract: There are conflicting opinions on whether e-learning formats are more or less expensive for a company than traditional, face-to-face training. In order to obtain an objective answer to this doubt, we simply need to make a comparative analysis of costs. But, if in addition we wish to do so according to the expected benefits, the best instrument is calculating return on investment (ROI). Training, in that it places expectations of the results of its action squarely on people, is complex in nature. Consequently, in making any evaluation of its costs and benefits in order to calculate ROI, that complexity has to be borne in mind. E-learning, while it certainly saves some of the costs of traditional, face-to-face formats, involves investments that until now were not applicable to training. A company's training department needs to make an analysis and evaluation of the return on these investments. For this, calculating ROI, as applied to the design of training initiatives, is a vital element. ROI should be understood as a tool for designing, planning and evaluating training programmes, particularly with e-learning. And for that, we need to analyse carefully the basic concepts of instructional design and make proper interpretation of the concepts of costs and returns. [close]