The second wave: even if you wiped out on the first e-learning wave, a second one is coming. Catch the ride

T+D, Oct, 2002 by Craig R. Taylor

Early on, too much poorly conceived and cheaply developed courseware hit the market, turning off a lot of people. Maybe you remember the term shovelware--a disparaging label used in the early days of the personal computer boom to describe cheap, abundant software titles. (Unless, like me, you bought one of the early Macs. in which case you had no-ware. But that's another story.) The same notion applies here: Poor-quality programs have left many e-learners wary. In the second wave, quality will be paramount.

As the quality of content continues to improve, so will people's expectations. Nick Payne, director of training for North America at Dade Behring dadebehring.com one of the world's largest clinical diagnostics companies, is an example of someone who knows what he's looking for. Working with custom content developer Knowledge Anywhere knowledgeanywhere.com, Payne has implemented a wide range of e-learning programs.

"I'm not interested in courseware that's based on simple branching hyperlinks with pop-ups, or student evaluation based on multiple-choice or matching questions. Show me multiple-path active simulations, complex branching with high levels of constructivist activities, and methods for individual feedback--and you've got my interest," says Payne.

Content's biggest movement, however, is learning objects--a powerful strategy enabled by the growth and adoption of the guidelines provided by the standards initiatives. Breaking content into searchable learning nuggets lets them be configured in unique ways based on learners' needs and objectives. The result is the ability to move ever closer to personalized learning experiences.

Here's a simple way to picture the power of learning objects. Imagine a big, brand-new box of Lego toys, which come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Yet, all snap together easily to magically form unique sculptures with individual meaning to the creator. Lego is a completely different concept than, say, a jigsaw puzzle, in which every piece fits in only one place and the completed puzzle can form only one picture. Learning objects are the Legos of e-learning.

Learning objects will not only facilitate individualized learning, but will also promote big leaps forward in content customization. Though that thinking has been around for a while and much progress has been made, the technology is finally catching up with the vision.

Wider acceptance

E-learning technology continues to evolve as suppliers search for every advantage possible in a tight technology spending market. Vendors continue to merge or combine forces, streamline and refine their product offerings, and introduce new features in an attempt to attract buyers. As a sign of strength in the market, new entrants continue to enter the space.

PeopleSoft * peoplesoft.cam a leading provider of enterprise application software, took a long-expected step into the e-learning space in July by purchasing a little-known LMS company called Teamscape.

"To be successful in today's hyper-competitive markets, organizations are demanding the ability to integrate learning into all of their business processes to drive performance," says Doug Merritt, general manager, PeopleSoft Human Capital Management.