LRNT523: Activity 2
In the early days of moving in-person instruction online, there was a sense of excitement—much like the shift from desktop to mobile devices. Both transitions promised new horizons but encountered similar obstacles. As Weller (2020) notes, early e-learning efforts assumed that moving in-person instruction online would be as simple as digitizing lectures and hitting “upload.” Spoiler alert: it’s not.
This underestimation of complexity is a key parallel between the two fields. Early mobile app developers thought, “Just shrink it down. What could go wrong?” The result? Apps that required a magnifying glass to read the text and the dexterity of a surgeon to click the buttons. Sadly, both ignored the unique affordances and limitations of their new medium.
At SAP, I led an engineering team that developed a collaboration tool integrated into SuccessFactor’s LMS. Weller (2020) discusses the struggle for interoperability in e-learning (pp. 58-61). This mirrored our experience integrating search capabilities across our LMS and collaboration platforms. Similarly, as we moved our product from desktop to mobile, the dream was a universal app that worked perfectly across all devices and operating systems. In reality, it’s like trying to get your old VHS tapes to play on a shiny new Blu-ray player—there’s a lot of frustration, and eventually, you just give up and switch to Netflix.
While surely frustrating at the time, Weller (2020) highlights how broadband challenges and resistance from educators inspired innovation in ed tech beyond simply replicating in-class experiences. These obstacles forced them to rethink core aspects of education and focus on what the internet could uniquely provide for communication and interaction online (p. 25).
Whether we’re talking about online learning or mobile apps, the lesson here is clear: Don’t just shrink it—rethink it.
Reference
Weller, M. (2020). 25 Years of Ed Tech. Athabasca University Press.
Hey Kirsten,
This was a great read, and I enjoy the humorous style. At one point, I tried imagining the outcome of a Laser Disc on an old RCA record player. Haha
A common theme what seems to run parallel to advancements in technology, is disruption. I say that in the sense that, it’s hard to find many things as quick-to-change, and as impactful as some well crafted disruption, supported by the technology we use in education.
Thanks Darren!
It’s what I love about technology – that anything is possible. The scary part is that “anything” could be absolutely great or terribly awful. Either way, it forces you to assess what and how you do things – always with the eye to finding a better way.
Hi Kristen,
This was very well written and fun to read. I love that you let your humour shine through as well 🙂
I love speaking to my students and explaining how things have changed so much when it comes to the internet, computers, gaming, cell phones, etc. The faces they make when I show them my old Razor in a matt black “Batman” case are priceless. There are still a few rare occurrences where I can find sites that aren’t created equally for all web browsers; it is a real treat to have multiple windows open as we dissect the differences.
I can only imagine how much things will change in the next 10-20 years. I’m sure we will be there shaking our fists and saying, “Back in my day…”
Hi Lauren! Thanks for your kind words and compelling me to continue my pursuit of writing sitcoms for TV…well you didn’t really say that, but that’s what I heard…😉
I am now picturing that matte black Batman razor case! The nostalgia we have for what we grew up with is always a comfort and a source of terrible ribbing from younger generations. Great fodder for class discussion. I am curious what my daughter and her generation will be nostalgic about and be made fun of when they are our age.
Future kids will laugh at our kid’s:
Wi-Fi Routers – which will be replaced with Air-Fi – a wifi that uses the air molecules around us for instant data everywhere.
Car keys/fobs – which will be replaced by vehicles that are self-driving AND mind-reading. You think about going somewhere, and boom – your car just shows up!
So many possibilities!