Workplace Learning - The Technology Context
E-Learning: Enabled by Technology
Advances in technologies have enabled the development of an increasingly diverse universe of e-learning options and opportunities. Technological factors enabling e-learning include:
- rapid increases in computer capabilities (Moore's Law is still holding)
- more, cheaper, bandwidth
- more, cheaper, digital storage
- wireless, always-on, Internet connectivity
- decreasing marginal costs to deploy various technologies
- constant, competitive changes and enhancements (short product life cycles, enhancements, and new product innovation)
- portable, personal, digital technologies — notebook computers, smart phones and tablets
Media convergence and E-Learning
The way it used to be!
Media convergence can be thought of in two ways: one is as the ability of various technologies to provide multiple means of accessing content — e.g., Internet, cable, telephone, wireless; and, the second is the tendency of the content providers to deliver all the modes of media — e.g., music, movies, television, radio, print, and to increasingly make them available via all of the various technology options. In addition Web 2.0, Social Networking and other "cloud" technologies are making it possible for individuals to network, collaborate, publish and distribute content in all its forms.
It's safe to say that workplaces have generally been laggards in adoping, deploying and using the available technologies and distribution media for workplace learning applications. That's changing! The greatest incentive to develop and deploy more e-learning is the demand coming from workers at all levels for more accessible, just-in-time, just-as-needed learning opportunities. A game-changing fact is that the technology is now in the hands, literally, of the individual.
In this new learning environment content has become a commodity; it's accessible in all sizes and forms from multiple sources. Anyone can ‘Google’ to find out about just about anything. This has tremendous implications for how we think about training. If content is everywhere, how is the role of the trainer changed? If content is increasingly available as and where we need it, what does this mean for the future of course-based training? If you, the learner, now have access to this new world of endless content, unbound by time or place, how can you receive credit for things you learn on your own?
Think about it! You now have access to technologies and resources that enable continuous life-long learning, a key factor for personal and vocational success in the 21st century.
21st Century Media Literacy
Howard Rheingold is one of the people thinking about what all of these new technological capabilities and ways of communicating mean for our future. He proposes that the people who will prosper in the 21st century are the ones who learn how to best use the tools, those who develop 21st century media literacy — Howard Rheingold on 21st century media literacies.
iPad Scenario
The CLO purchased a new iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G. She's convinced that this technology will revolutionize workplace training. She calls you into her office and charges you as follows:
She has arranged to purchase a "class set" of 30 new iPads to be delivered early next week. Working with your T&D team and other stakeholders, you are to evaluate their applicability for employee training and development. Where/how do you start?
Outline your response in point-form in the Post a Comment box and Publish.
[Top of page][Home]
No comments:
Post a Comment