LEARNING THAT NO LONGER WORKS ”

Alvin Toffler wrote: “The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

Toffler and many others have acknowledged that individual learning styles are unique and should be addressed more successfully.

Other thinkers have acknowledged that today we live primarily in a “television learning culture.” People get much more of their information and form many more of their opinions from what they see on the tube rather than through the historical practice of reading newspapers and magazines (just look at the crises facing print journalism today).

In terms of skills acquisition, most people are visual learners. Seeing, Hearing, and Doing — in combination — is still the best way. And, that is why at least half of our population will be better served with multi-sensory e-Learning with optional full audio.

So what kind of e-Learning should you avoid?:

• Shun Reading-Only Courses. Only half of our population has a chance to learn using such exclusionary courses.
• Close the door to PowerPoint presentations or written procedures that are posing as e-Learning. As e-Learning they are counterfeit.

Today, more than at any other time, it is just as important to know what doesn’t work as it is to know what does. Learning has changed in a revolutionary way. Our traditional education and training leaders must, first, recognize and, then adopt the newer, more effective ways. (Even traditional subjects like Reading & Writing Skills and Applied Math can be taught effectively with knowledgeably designed multi-sensory media.)

Reading and writing skills need not be de-emphasized. However, multi-sensory media deserves an equal place for the many whose learning culture requires it. Learning should be our end game and the means much more inclusive.

Failure to implement these newer, more powerful, learning platforms will be at our own peril — and at the expense of our nation’s current leadership position.

As Toffler so correctly observed: “The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

More tomorrow – – – – –

— Bill Walton, Founder of ITC Learning
bwalton@itclearning.com

“AMERICA WILL CONTINUE TO BE BUILT BY THE HANDS OF ITS MEN AND WOMEN”