Redbean - Clark Quinn has just written a great article on “Rethinking e-Learning” which echoes my call for considering on-the-job learning as something other than a series of mind-numbing and morale-sapping courses. And as Clark points out, with the spread of mobile devices the opportunity to rethink the transaction and broadcast-based e-Learning of the past is an opportunity we can hardly miss.
As I have said here before the iPad is not a phone and it is not a laptop. It is a distribution channel. And that means it has the possibility to be the best education, learning and performance support channel the world has seen so far. But not if we see it only as a passive device receiving content but as an interactive device manipulating and partaking in content.
CLick to view the Redbean Learning Environment Maturity Model Image
As the above model shows as we progress beyond asynchronous transaction-based learning (ie courses) we enter a whole new realm of synchronous learning that is usually restricted to expensive ‘lab’ type environments and content development. Using social media and ubiquitous iPad style devices the cost of entry into this realm is much reduced and, as a benefit, more anarchic which, I think, makes it more engaging.
So instead of taking our employee/student away from their task to get some ‘training’ we can integrate it and support their performance when and where they need it most.
Your thoughts?
May 20th, 2010 at 2:30 am
Most on the job training is contextual to the task or problem a person faces. Mobile devices like the iPad and smart phones are creating a whole new paradigm in delivering e-learning. In the future, courses will become few and far between as knowledge bases and electronic performance support systems will become the norm. Learning will become more “just-in-time” versus being tied to a specific time and place.