By: jclarey

jclarey — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:23:32 +0000

Miranda – I think you're right on the mark when it comes to the background of many in the “training” field (not my preferred term either). Can you imagine if the lawyer, engineer, or medical professional just winged it. You put on that band aid so well, you can now suture that guy up….there's the tools over there. So we live with the same old same old. I like Tony's ending message too…all we can do is keep at it.

By: Miranda Welch

Miranda Welch — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:35:40 +0000

You said “talk like that is mostly poo-pooed in corporations”. I come up against this all time and have a theory….in workplace learning there are two paths into “training” (using the common term not my preferred term – 1) you're really good at what you do at work so they get you to train others , or 2) you're an HR generalist who likes the idea of being at the front of the room – and hey! – if you can deliver training you can design it too!. Neither path recognizes the specialist skills involved in designing a really effective online learning experience. These people who 'fall' into it design using the frameworks and tools that they know and experienced as learners themselves – it is self-perpetuating. Some places send staff on 'train the trainer' courses, but even these are mainly focussed on delivery rather than design. I tear my hair out when I hear staff complain about how boring elearning courses are.
The answer? – well I want to write something about the futility of banging heads on brick walls but perhaps I should be more positive since I am at the start of another day in 'corporate poo'. I'll keep up the good work at my end, and you and Tony Bates keep doing what you do so well.

Comments on: Tony Bates on epistemology, course design and e-learning

By: jclarey

By: Miranda Welch