In Search of eLearning's Magic Bullet

Go to any eLearning conference and you will see that the trade show is chock full of technology vendors. Participants eagerly troll the isles hoping to find the elusive and treasured magic bullet. The technology vendors themselves have set the agenda to a large extent and perpetuate the idea that the secret is in choosing the right technology. However, I am here to tell you that there is no one magic bullet in eLearning, particularly not amongst the myriad of tools available.
Sure, good tools are helpful (as they are in any task), but a tool is a tool is a tool. An excellent authoring tool can no more create powerful and effective eLearning, than a terrific multipurpose garden tool can create an amazing garden, or the newest table saw can create an exquisite cabinet. Why? Because it all comes down to the skill of the people wielding the tools and managing the project.
In my experience, you need people in three general competency areas to create great eLearning.
Learning Competencies
People who understand how learning actually happens and who can work together with subject matter experts to design and facilitate learning environments that engage, inspire and transform.
Technical Competencies
People who understand how the technology works and can take the vision of the people mentioned above and make it real, and make it work as it should.
Management Competencies
People who can manage the whole process: make the business case and ensure real organizational needs are being addressed; marshall the required resources and deploy as necessary; and evaluate effectiveness.
Have I won the award for stating the most obvious? You would think so. Yet, time and again I see organizations invest disproportionately in technology instead of people. The results are predictable: very mediocre eLearning.
The best tools that money can buy will not save you. I would much rather have talented people who know how to create effective learning, because they can make even the lowliest and cheapest technology come alive for learners. (Obviously, the ideal is to have great people using great tools, but I would err on the side of the former every time.)
eLearning is pretty much like any other endeavour. If it is of real value it is likely because there is a group of talented, dedicated, and hard working people who created this value. Hey, could this be the real magic bullet?
Note: For those interested in this topic, we will offer a free webinar titled How to Develop Competencies for Effective eLearning, at 12:00 noon Eastern, on June 22nd.
1 Comments:
so very true and well stated. I guess it is a tough thing to state the obvious and try to sell it as the right thing. as a developer (technical person) i must say that the need for people who know the learning, technical and management side of the business. A good mixture of the three will not only improve the quality of output, but will also create an environment where individuals come together and do what they do best. Technology although good is only technology without the other peices of the puzzle.
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