Posted 6:21 PM by George Siemens
It seems like elearning moves so fast, that understanding of implications trails well behind advancements. An article in Convergmag.com (PDAs & Internet 2), reveals the "new" future of learning. Without a clear understanding of how to teach well in an online environment, technology is now affording the potential for wireless PDA learning.

PDAs and wireless networks offer great potential for JIT (just in time) learning...and, as long as better learning is the focus, has the ability to transform organizations. The focus should be on improving learning...

This is one of the difficulties many American elearning companies encountered. They incorporated technology because it existed, not because it resulted in learning...end result - huge amounts of money were spent to create content rich resources that could not be run on existing networks...basically, they had a nice course that no one (very few) could use...

The first criteria for online learning is functionality...it must work...it must be accessible by the majority of people...it must incorporate simple forms of interactivity, it must allow for usable navigation of resources...it must involve learners (piloting) during development of the course...

As online learning develops at RRC, courses that focus on functionality will most likely result in the greatest student satisfaction. This will then create an environment of student/faculty success that will ensure continued development...

And...down the road, once effective learning demands it...BRING ON THE PDAs!!!