Boulet, G. (2012) Rapid eLearning: Building a House Without an Architect, eLearn Magazine, February 2012
This is an excellent article by Guy Boulet, of the Canadian Navy e-Learning Center of Expertise, on Rapid eLearning. It provides a description, a critique, and a brief analysis of the benefits of Rapid eLearning, including a discussion of the role of instructional designers in Rapid eLearning.
Although particularly relevant to corporate e-learning, I have come across post-secondary institutions who have been influenced by external consultants to implement Rapid eLearning, sometimes with dire consequences.
For another view on Rapid eLearning, see: The Rapid eLearning Blog
Any views on Rapid eLearning, for, against or ‘it all depends’? Any experiences you want to share?
Dr. Tony Bates is the author of eleven books in the field of online learning and distance education. He has provided consulting services specializing in training in the planning and management of online learning and distance education, working with over 40 organizations in 25 countries. Tony is a Research Associate with Contact North | Contact Nord, Ontario’s Distance Education & Training Network.
Hi Tony-
So glad to see this post- it is something that has been on my mind for quite a while!
Rapid Elearning is prob good for remembering rules and lists of things in a more interesting way; but it has been confusing to me why a talking powerpoint can replace a teacher, and why clicking bullet points means engagement.
To me, learning without a facilitator is like a body without a head (head being the source or guide). Learning is not about pretty or fun content; but about understanding creating building etc, and if you go for Vygotsky’s concepts, it is also about mediating, mentoring & scaffolding. Also, learners LIKE having a teacher around to say they are doing well!
And a whole lot of other reasons.
So I hope the latest focus on networked social learning might put the people back into corporate learning!