Death by e-learning!

I recently had a chance to view many e-learning modules of a large organisation in India. This organisation prides itself in being one of the forerunners of e-learning in the country. After the first module, I felt sick. More I ventured into their e-learning modules, sicker I felt.

All the modules were standard page-turners. The modules were terrible, at best - shoddily written volumes of text. There was too much of text, flow-charts and graphs on each slide and too many slides per module. There were captivate based modules where the learner was never informed why or when would they require that particular skill! I just wonder why each of these modules was not sent out as a 10-15 page text note typed in 8 point size for participants to read (and commit suicide!). They could have sent it out as “pdf” files and saved time and money.

E-learning, as per oganisations like this company means lots of text, flow charts and fancy graphs dished out through electronic media. It is no wonder that such organisations have very low e-learning completion rates (as compared to start-rates). Actually, it is only “e” without the “learning”. The only “being” that was not taken into consideration while creating these e-learning modules is the poor learner!

E-learning must be designed outside-in, that is, learner experience is of utmost importance. Adult learning principles must be adhered. E-learning has a big “learning” attached to the”e”. In addition, there is the good old reliable workhorse, “instructional design” that guides “learning”. There are some variations in e-learning though - sequential ADDIE process (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate) is modified. Develop and Implement stages are consolidated into one “Build” stage, since in e-learning, implementation and development are iterative steps. You can also try rapid prototyping (for one small piece of a larger e-learning intervention) by designing and developing at the same time and making immediate changes as you get feedback.

Above all, in e-learning, there is nothing above creativity. You should experiment with new creative ways of engaging the learner.