“DESIGNERS TRUMP TECHNOLOGY”

With the potential for growth clear, how should producers of E-Learning courses proceed?

First, we must acknowledge that effective educational programming has always been a designer’s medium. It has never been an evolving electronic gadgetry world.

Therefore, it is important to remember that E-Learning has been developed with the capability of becoming yet another communication tool for transferring skills and knowledge — just as the written word, printed text, and video have all been used effectively when placed in the hands of talented master teachers (skilled instructional designers).

E-Learning does indeed offer the world the potential for delivering the most comprehensive educational and training courseware we have ever known. But, only if applications’ producers treat the Internet as yet another communication tool — CAPABLE of delivering effective learning. Learning, incidentally, that also happens to be multi-sensory, measurable, and more consistent. If our designers can effectively incorporate video, gaming and simulations then, “The Learner” will win without being sacrificed on the altar of technological whim.

“Single-Minded Focus” is a term that exemplifies successful individuals. Our single-minded focus must be on the end user. It cannot be on the technology. If our trainees learn, we win. If our programming fails to work because of antiquated infrastructure, we lose. If our programs reach out effectively to those many individuals who do not “learn by reading,” we win. If we reach only those individuals who are fluent readers, we lose. Our single-minded focus must be directed toward the many –- and, variety of — end users we encounter. And that, my readers, means far less reliance on “words” and “reading.” And, much more reliance on “video,” “gaming,” “simulations,” and “optional word-for-word audio.”

E-Learning is the immediate future. However, as too few producers currently realize, it must be designed for the end user — TODAY’S LEARNER! And, only instructional designers who fully understand that more students/trainees learn best today when the teaching/training is presented in a multiple media design — in short, designed for the current learning culture of the majority of our trainees.