E-LEARNING: THE IMPOSTERS & THE EFFECTIVE
Let’s stop beating around the bush! This current “E-Learning craze” is confusing the learning-picture for many trainers and corporate executives!
Most current E-Learning is garbage! It reflects the oldest and least effective of the technology training solutions (i.e., CBT of the 1980’s, when we were using our earliest computers to emulate books). So it is today when E-Learning examples are nothing other than re-purposed PowerPoint and written procedure adaptations.
The amazing learning advances pioneered by interactive laser videodisc and culminating in CD-ROM technology have, too often, been cast aside by most E-Learning producers. A return to “learn by reading” has re-surfaced and, as we know by now, that will leave the majority of our workforce stranded.
Let’s talk instead about CD-ROM solutions that can be delivered seamlessly in an E-Learning environment. And, I don’t mean CD discs that have to be loaded, unloaded, and stored. I’m talking about the CD-ROM solutions that have been fully digitized and installed on a server. No more discs to load, unload, store, and lose.
At this moment in time, if your interest is solely to offer your workforce the very best of E-Learning, digitized CD-ROM technology will win hands down.
We’re talking here about full-motion, optional full-audio capability. Real procedures performed in real time on real equipment by real workers. Full individual interactive involvement and fully customizable courseware with practice exercises, pre-tests, and final exams.
With instructionally sound digitized CD-ROMs the student first learns by seeing, in real time, the skill being performed — and, then practices the skill via interactive simulations to fortify what they have learned. Finally, their knowledge is tested again via interactive simulations of the real world activity.
The goal of teaching a skill to an employee is to improve the employee’s on-the-job performance. Therefore, well-designed digitized CD-ROMs focus on teaching the performance of a skill — and, not solely on the theoretical knowledge related to the skill. The theoretical knowledge needed to properly perform a task should, of course, be included — but the focus is always on the task, not the knowledge.
If the best in E-Learning delivery is your sole emphasis, you cannot beat digitized CD-ROM technology today.
Digitized CD-ROMs, installed on a LAN, are today’s best E-Learning answer to the learning and retention challenges confronting American industry. Reading-based E-Learning cannot compete, in any way — if an increase in on-the-job performance is your ultimate goal!
More on Thursday – – – – –
— Bill Walton, Founder, ITC Learning
www.itclearning.com/blog/ (Tuesdays & Thursdays)
e-Mail: bwalton@itclearning.com
“THE WORLD RELIES ON THE HANDS OF ITS MEN AND WOMEN”