Elearning Resources & News

Posted 3:11 PM by George Siemens
The Rationale Behind the Introduction of e-learning
Quote: "The rationale behind the introduction of e-learning is sound but the implementation is typically poor, with the consequence that initial expectations are frequently called into question."
Comment: This article makes several wrong (critical) statements: "Classroom training was never a good way to learn." What?!? Classroom learning is a GREAT way to learn...in fact it is one of the most effective ways. The concern with classrooms is not the format itself...it is with accessibility, scalability, expense, and lack of archives (i.e. when a lecture ends, it's gone). Big difference between a medium itself...and the limitations of that medium. Learning is a process/activity that is initiated through whatever means are most effective (effectiveness can be defined on many levels, including: cost, impact of learning, number of people trained, etc.). So, if an organization needs to train 5000 people around the world - elearning may be selected as the most effective format. However, to train a group of 100 employees in one location (and in a highly visual, hands-on task), may be best suited to classroom/lab training. The classroom is not dead...it is still a very effective tool that should be selected when circumstances and needs warrant - just like elearning.

Next comment: "The essence of e-learning is the transformation of physical resources (such as training materials) into a format from which they can be easily accessed and duplicated." NO!! That is the essence of moving resources online. Creating digital resources has nothing to do with effective elearning. Digitizing is digitizing...and that's it. This is a dangerous mindset that has resulted in many frustrated learners, high drop out rates, and poor results from elearning. Effective elearning requires instructional design, facilitation, high interaction...these are the essence of elearning.