Last week I attended ElNet’s Workplace E-learning Congress in Sydney.
As per my tradition, I will share my 1-line takeaways with you here, and I am more than happy to discuss them further. Simply add a comment!
Please note my 1-liners don’t necessarily reflect a synopsis of each presentation. Instead, they represent something specific that I found particularly worthwhile.
Tom Kuhlman knows that learners won’t complain about a lack of interactivity if the content is relevant.
Aside: Tom’s insight reminds me of one of my earliest blog posts, Text ain’t half bad, and aligns with thoughts I’m having currently about mobile learning. Stay tuned… ;o)
Lisa Vincent – well actually, Lisa’s guest – claimed the responsible investment approach predicted something bad was going to happen to BP.
Aside: His claim reminds me of another blog post, Noise pollution, in which I argue real environmental management is in the hands of corporations and individuals, not governments.
Ruth McElhone assigns points to her students for their contributions to an internal social media platform, and they require 1000 points to pass the course.
Aside: This one surprised me because the motivation is extrinsic rather than the universally admired intrinsic. Ruth also explained that she pre-approves all the contributions for relevance and substance. I see it as a Catch 22: If you drop the points system, will anyone bother participating? If you relieve yourself of the burden of pre-approval, will superficial junk ensue?
Mark Samuels shared success stories in the corporate sector that demonstrate m-learning works if you align it to your purpose.
Aside: This one seems obvious until you consider all the time and energy that’s wasted on hot trends and buzzwords that end up going nowhere. While m-learning is not a flash in the pan, you should harness it carefully as a means of achieving your desired outcome (whatever that may be). Don’t do it just because everyone else is.
Alison Bickford demonstrated content-rich VLEs on the Confluence platform.
Aside: Alison’s VLEs are wonderful examples of Informal Learning Environments (ILEs) as per How to revamp your learning model.
Erin McCuskey recommends treating your training video like a mini Hollywood production – with character development, a storyline and emotional connection – which makes it so much more engaging.
Aside: With the advent of the Flip camera, anyone can create authentic video clips. All you need is a dash of creativity.
Clinton Smith contrasted the main varieties of e-learning in the VET sector in 2004 – self-paced learning (online courses), online distance learning and web in class – against those in 2008 – which now include live online learning (virtual classes), knowledge sharing (social networking) and virtual worlds, simulations and games.
Aside: I see a similar trend in the corporate sector in terms of increasing use of virtual classes and social platforms. Will these, coupled with Alison’s VLEs, kill the online course? Apparently not according to Clint’s comment below, or perhaps it depends on the sector…?
E-Learning Provocateur 