After the dust has settled….

There may be 9 intelligences, but biologically we receive signals primarily through the 5 senses: visual /sight, auditory / hearing, smell, taste, touch. Some say thinking / feeling /sensing / intuition is the 6th sense. In the online learning world, we are down to three key senses: eyes / ears / hands.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Technology--The-5-Human-Senses

There may be lots spoken about ‘interaction’ and a bountiful supply of theories of engagement but there are only 2 modes of affordable hardware interaction – keyboard and mouse. [Joystick is not common in most corporate learning set up. Expensive simulators / gaming consoles / wii, etc are not part of this discussion.]

So, when we strip out the buzz, the over-inflated promises by media salesmen, the resultant infatuations, and theories flying around,we can then look at the practical considerations, ie reality on the ground. 

There is an argument amongst academics that research or theories of past gurus are not relevant to today’s context and so many new theories have surfaced. In my humble opinion, almost all new learning theories since the 70s do not have the originality of the 50s / 60s. Many of the solid research in the fields of psychology, philosophy, sociology, learning, [Jerome, Bloom, Knowles, Dewey, Mager, Pavlov, Skinner, and many more] still remain as the foundation of today’s research, but given new names, new skin and new appeal.

Those who had contributed to the field of learning 40 to 50 years ago, had less pressure to sell something, or push a theory to be heard ie they are motivated differently.

[Let me clarify. I am not putting down the work of many great brains today but I do not see any new findings.]

Oh, not to forget that human beings, despite the supposed evolutionary superiority, are still basal in instinct. According to authors Albert J. Bernstein and Sydney Craft Rozen [Dinosaur Brains / Neanderthals at Work], the stem of the human brain still has a strong link to the dinosaur – we fight or run, we set up archaic defence mechanism for survival. So, no matter how fascinating a learning experience might be, it is still the unevolved basal instinct that shapes the corporate jungle.

So as we enter the gaming craze and the euphoric lure of New Media for learning, I have an unease. The sad story of elearning may just be repeated all over again. Lots of misplaced priorities, efforts steered by people who do not understand learning, competencies that are silo driven and treated as commodity, and many opportunists waiting to make the elusive dollar out of a sunrise industry.

Ultimately, it is about learning, about the learner, about engaging the human brain, about dealing with the process of acquiring and sharing knowledge in an organisation to ensure sustainability.

The practitioners, and those who are passionate about learning must rise up and be heard. We must influence the way forward.