THE DESIGNER’S OWN IT!

With the potential for growth clear, how should producers of On-Line Learning programs proceed? First we must acknowledge that effective educational programming has always been a designer’s medium. It has never been an evolving electronic gadgetry world. Instead, it has been developed and used as yet another communication tool for efficiently transferring skills and knowledge, just as the written word, printed text, and video have all been in the hands of talented master teachers.

On-Line Learning does indeed offer the world the most comprehensive educational and training tools the world has ever known. If applications producers treat the Internet (both inside and outside the firewall) as another communication tool that can deliver effective learning –- learning, incidentally, which also happens to be multi-sensory, measurable, and more consistent –- then, “The Learner” will win without being sacrificed on the altar of technological whim.

“Single-Minded Focus” is a term that exemplifies successful individuals. Our single-minded focus must be on the User. It cannot be on the technology. If our Users learn, we win. If our programming fails to work because of antiquated infrastructure, we lose. If our programs reach effectively to those many individuals who do not “learn by reading,” we win. If we reach only those individuals who are fluent readers, we lose. Our single-minded focus must be directed toward the many –- and, variety of — Users we encounter.

E-Learning is the immediate future. However, as too few producers currently realize, it must be designed for the end-Users — THE LEARNER!