Relevance and Conflicts re: 2/3 of 25 Years of Ed Tech
When reflecting on what lesson continues to remain relevant today, I immediately thought of the chapter on the Learning Management System (LMS). Working in corporate L&D, LMS is a term that can be used across various fields and still be widely understood – a testament to its longevity and relevance in today’s technologic learning environment. That said, it certainly feels restrictive as was discussed in ‘Between the Chapters: The LMS’. I see the value in a singular system that allows companies to invest time and money towards what Weller describes as “ensuring that a system works effectively for thousands” (Weller, 2020, p.67), however if that system does not allow for growth or advancement it becomes cumbersome to the learner and frustrating for the teacher as there is no flexibility to meet the evolving needs of those using the tool. When so much is invested into one tool it ties the hands of innovation as a financial barrier is created discouraging other options for investing corporations.
What I find contradictory to corporate training success in the lessons is the concept of “good enough” (a theme in many chapters) which asserts that a product needs to be just good enough for most to adapt and that “good enough” is sufficient. I believe it allows sub-par content to become the norm and sets the bar of lowered standards, making it acceptable to provide ‘less-than’ quality to learners. While I understand the intent of ‘some knowledge is better than no knowledge’, or in other words it’s better to release “good enough” product instead of none while time is taken to ensure top quality, I still believe that this is a disservice to the learner. Why are the only options “good enough” and quick or great and drawn out? I suppose the question is are those truly the only two options? From a corporate point of view, it sure seems like the only two considered!
References:
Between the Chapters: The LMS – 25 Years of Ed Tech: The Serialized Audio Version (opened.ca)
Weller, M. (2020). 25 years of ed tech. Athabasca University Press.
September 11, 2023 at 5:50 pm
Great reflections, Jessica! As a fellow corproate learning practitioner I feel a lot of the same sentiments about the LMS being just “good enough”.
Something I’ve been thinking about recently is if I would select an LMS if I didn’t have the corporate governance requirements of tracking and reporting on compliance courses, especially for audit purposes. Really, it often comes down to just that for me! I was thinking about a learning problem I’m trying to solve earlier today, one that is more about career development (pull training) instead of assigned learning (push training), and I found myself considering hosting the learning on a different tool. It shocked me as a corporate learning STOOGE that I would even consider this option of thwarting the LMS!
September 13, 2023 at 10:05 pm
Hi, Jessica. I appreciated your comment about the use of LMS in the corporate world. I am in a very large, decentralized, multi-site, public organization and we have courses delivered via an LMS. In my experience there could be a lot more innovation in how this training is delivered that’s more engaging and accessible. I completely see the tension between needing one system that serves thousands, and being nimble enough to innovate where needed. — Tracy
October 27, 2023 at 1:35 am
Hi Jessica, I really enjoyed reading through your post. I agree with your statement, “What I find contradictory to corporate training success in the lessons is the concept of “good enough” (a theme in many chapters), which asserts that a product needs to be just good enough for most to adapt and that “good enough” is sufficient.” It’s a challenge I face in my current work environment. When we are asked to provide an efficient and greatly managed service- Take the initiative to do something, but if we don’t get the proper support, we cannot achieve what they are asking. But to the corporation, the tools and the training we have been given should be good enough for us to make those leaps of providing a great product/service. It is a constant tug of war in conversation to get more than good enough. – Radhika