I was thinking recently about some of the traditional ways in which we’ve learned and the extent to which technology has transformed the ways in which we do it. The inclination, of course, is to marvel at the toys, devices and gadgets that we’ve developed in the name of work efficiency and conclude that the transformation has been profound.
But has it? Really?
Consider the role of the learning leader – Is the learning methodology really any different for the speaker at the front of the room whether they are using a brilliantly animated powerpoint slide deck or whether they are using an overhead projector?
Consider the role of the learner – Is the learning methodology really any different when we use a funky note taking app than if we used a notepad and pencil?
I’d contend it isn’t and further that we’ve only managed to scratch the surface of what technology can do to transform the ways in which we learn.
The first frontier of this will be to dismantle the one-to-all learning default that we’ve adopted where the learning leader’s role is to deliver information once, a methodology reliant on that learning leader being a brilliant edu-tainer. The sad truth is that we all can’t be that good on a stage.
And what if you, as the learner, are having a tough day, have something personal going on or are just on your last day before leave – oops, the learning opportunity is either comporomised or completely gone.
Instead, what if technology was used to capture the IP that your whole business needs and then fragments it into online learning modules where access could be differentiated in terms of experience, role or improvement goals? What if we didn’t deliver one message to all? What if learning in my business was truly personalised and I didn’t access anything that wasn’t relevant in some way to me – and then what if I can access it at a time that suits my learning being more engaging and meaningful.
Now that would be an organisation where technology was transforming education and not just making it a little more entertaining.
The question is, will you be leading this new frontier or scrambling to keep up with it?
