Cambridge Business Association
Learning Technologies in the Workplace
Book

Learning Technologies in the Workplace

How to Successfully Implement Learning Technologies in Organizations

Donald H. Taylor
Kogan Page, 2017
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Well Structured
  • For Beginners

Recommendation

Adult learners are embracing new tools and techniques, and using multiple online sources, including social networks and YouTube, to gather information and learn new skills. More and more, learners are self-motivated to find the information they need – whether through web searches or peer networks – and apply it to their work. Many learning professionals cling to a bygone era when learning & development (L&D) departments created and controlled learning, instead of maximizing the potential of this participatory revolution. Learning and Performance Institute chairman Donald H. Taylor challenges learning professionals who resist and deny change to open their horizons and offers a clear path to the L&D unit’s renewed relevance and contribution. getAbstract recommends this visionary, practical workplace learning guide to L&D professionals.

Summary

Failed Promises

The record players, radio and television have something in common with the Internet and the World Wide Web: in each case, the public expected that a new communications technology should quickly transform education. Yet in more than a century of profound technological innovation and discovery, no technology has fundamentally changed learning.

The recent emergence of e-learning and MOOCs (massive open online courses) only illuminates a recurring misjudgment. As in the past, designers have focused too heavily on technology at the expense of content and delivery. The notion persists despite more than 100 years of disappointment that information disseminated in the newest way – whichever technology that’s hot at the moment – should somehow miraculously cause people to learn more effectively.

End the Suffering

Today’s e-learning reduces training costs, which partially explains its tremendous growth since 2000. Unfortunately, repackaging content and eliminating instructors have led to the all-too-common “click-next” experience. Screen after screen of flat, sleep-inducing material bores and frustrates learners...

About the Author

Learning and Performance Institute chairman Donald H. Taylor has spoken about, consulted on and written about learning technologies for more than three decades. He has chaired the Learning and Performance Institute since 2010.

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