Great article in the latest edition of Learning Circuits titled Down with boring eLearning. It records an interview with Dr Michael Allen, founder and former chairman of Authorware which has since merged with Macromind/Paracomp to form Macromedia.

Highlights for me from the interview include:

• Definition of eLearning – Allen (like me!!) favours a generally inclusive definition, not narrowly focused on internet-enabled technologies
• Differentiating factor – participation! This is what differentiates eLearning from e-Delivery, or an e-Library – quote: “My biggest pet peeve is e-learning that is focused on presenting a boatload of content (the worst is pages and pages of text) and not on the learning experience.” (emphasis mine)
• eLearning doesn’t just ‘happen’! It requires careful planning and implementation. Quote: “My biggest pet peeve is e-learning that is focused on presenting a boatload of content (the worst is pages and pages of text) and not on the learning experience.” – implications here for how we train teachers for the new world.
• misunderstood concepts – the section at the end is worth a read, particularly if you’re battling administrations who believe these untruths.

I for one will be keen to get my hands on Allen’s book which expands on these ideas.