Roger Mundel is with udutu. The presentation is online.

Trends

Are you leading or following? Where is learning headed? Will “eLearing” just be “learning”? How soon could that happen? Thinking back five years, technology has come a long way in terms of accessibility. These advancements have changed the way we go about learning and communicating. Thinking forward five years, how radical will the changes be? Expectations for informal, instant, and on-demand information will only grow.

The Way We Learn 

  • Explicit learning – structured and basic information
  • Applied learning – applying techniques and strategies
  • Tacit learning – action and applied learning

Applied learning can be accomplished via gaming and immersive learning; achieve an environment of virtual safety. The learner can fail and learn without dire consequence. There are rules of engagement with a series of interesting choices.

Tacit learning can be accomplished via communication tools such as Blogger, RSS feeds, Skype, and instant messaging software.

Just-in-time has replaced just-in-case learning. As the body of knowledge grows rapidly, it’s nearly impossible to keep up from a JIC standpoint. People want information as they need it. They also want it to be convenient. Mobile learning is rapidly changing the way information is presented, including learning content. Pedagologically speaking, mobile learning is still on the cusp.

The Way We Teach

It’s changing from the sage on the stage to the guide on the side. The teacher has been the limitation. Assessment restrictions limit learner abilities. eLearning should incorporate informal, self-assessments. The point is to be time and place limitless. To use traditional assessments defeats the purpose. Considering all these things, the most important design element is engagement.

Rapid Development

Old ways…SME hands over material to the techies

New ways…SME is involved in the entire process

Rapid development involves everyone and allows everyone to access the authoring tool. WYSIWYG templates can build interactivity for everyone. Simulation templates create a wireframe on the fly. Updates can be made by an SME, the course author, field expert, media designer, or other stakeholder. The challenge is to keep everyone happy and remember to incorporate supported platforms.

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I would disagree with Roger’s explanation and philosophy on rapid development. Perhaps that has to do with my preference for Reuben’s rapid development methodology. Honestly, it seems as though Roger’s presentation took a segue at the Rapid Development point and that is where he focuses on his topic title. If “anyone” can run updates, then who is the course author? Why bother to have one at all? At this point, I realized that the recommended methodology does not align with what I see my organization doing (from either a desire or ability). I will likely argue until the day I die that an SME should not control or direct the layout and appearance. Their focus is the content. I do get Roger’s point, though. This is a trend. I simply see it as one means or method in the rapid development trend.

IIL07