Throw Out The Rapid E-Learning Stereotypes

I thought I would write a quick post to addressAs a short completely off the topic example, I
the stereotypical viewpoints centering aroundwent to get my car fixed at the garage the
Rapid e-learning and its tools. Having been in theother day and after getting it analysed, the young
industry as a developer and e-learning consultantmechanic told me he cant fix it and his colleague
for over 5 years, I feel quite comfortable inhad the mechanical ability to fix the problem. So
knowing what ‘is’ and what ‘isnt’asked him “Do you not have the tools and
when it comes to rapid e-learning. I have workedequipment to do the job?”, he replied “we
both with traditional methods of e-learning creationhave all the tools but I havent got the know how
and delivery and newer methods, including rapidon how to fix it!”. So in this circumstance it
e-learning tools. I have even in some projectswould be foolish or ignorant to criticise the tools
mixed the two together.rather than the ability of the staff. Obviously I
The extremist viewpoint from some professionalsdidnt throw too much of a tantrum (because im a
to rapid e-learning tools is that its a ‘fad’patient man, and the mechanic was only a young
and it produces low quality e-learning which lacksapprentice and was still learning the trade), but it
interactivity and engagement. Or they are justhighlights the point that the key is knowing how
tools for converting powerpoints to flash content.to use tools and knowledge effectively!
Hmmm….i would agree…If it was the yearThe same can be applied to Rapid e-learning, the
2000!! But its 2010 ladies and gentlemen and rapidtrick is knowing how to utilise the tools effectively.
e-learning has much more to offer if you knowPeople who criticise the tools need to go out and
how to utilise the tools. As e-learning professionalssee what the tools can really do instead of
you have to keep up to date on the latestmaking assumptions or observing people who are
technology and tools, it would be foolish not topracticing the concept badly!
and quite frankly detrimental to yours (and mine)From my experience I can tell you that I created
career. Part of this technological boom in e-learningfeature rich, media rich, Interactivity rich, high
can be attributed to rapid e-learning tools and theirquality e-learning content for clients in both
ability to create robust, high quality, media richtraditional e-learning approaches AND rapid
engaging e-learning.e-learning environments.
I am NOT stating that rapid e-learning tools should
I agree that some people and e-learningcompletely replace the industry but one must
professionals are using rapid e-learning tools tonow accept that rapid e-learning tools have their
create boring, engageless courses which lackplace in the industry and have settled quite well!
quality. Quite simply converting powerpoint toNor am I saying that professional developers
flash without any thought to design and quality.(such as myself) or instructional designers are no
FULL MARKS to the clever individuals for spottinglonger required which is another stereotype to
this behaviour… BUT NO MARKS to the samerapid e-learning tools I suppose. The ability to
people who use it as an excuse to denouncingdesign and instruct effectively is a skill in itself,
and detesting the the whole concept of rapidregardless of what is used to produce the end
e-learning. In short, it would make sense toe-learning product!
criticise the people rather than the concept ofAs e-learning professionals it is OUR job to
rapid e-learning. The tools have the ability to meetanalyse the needs of consumers/clients and make
the proper market needs. I saw a great definitioninformed decisions on which tools and technologies
of e-learning itself from a comment on a linked-inwould best suited. To completely dismiss the idea
group I set up which was “E-learning is theof using rapid e-learning tools, whether its used in
systematic process of analyzing what’s10% of the project or all of it, would be foolish on
needed and designing, implementing, and evaluatingmy part to say the least! Quite simply because
instruction, tapping into both human and digitalthe technologies to drive these rapid e-learning
resources”. She also correctly pointed out thattools have advanced in recent years and gone
if you skimp the analysis and other importantbeyond the ‘powerpoint conversion’ days
stages in the process you get e-content ratheralong time ago! So its time to change the record
than feature rich engaging e-learning, regardless ofpeople, whether you are part of it or not, rapid
whether rapid e-learning tools are used. Rapide-learning tools and technologies will continue to
e-learning has nothing to do with bad e-learning ifrevolutionalise the approach to e-learning.
people are not willing to go through correctThanks For Reading
systematic procedures for a high quality endNomi
product and utilise the tools to their potential.RLLwww,RapidLearningLife.