In the wake of the mass learning experience that was Learning 2010, the event’s organiser and well known e-learning guru, Elliott Masie has posted his observations about the event.

Among these observations was: ‘I realized that none of our main stage speakers and few of the breakout speakers used the word “e-learning”. The discussions were clearly about leveraging technology for learning – from JCPenny using their cash registers to deliver video messages from the CEO to the Peace Corps using smart phones to display instructional videos in the field, but the “e-learning” brand seems to be rapidly shrinking.  Traditional branched CBT (computer based training) like modules seem to be growing mainly in the compliance arena, where more learner driven content formats are expanding in the performance arena. We have never seen more learning using technology for design, delivery or collaboration. But, the “e” is dropping away in the branding.’

Comment: This seems to be further confirmation, if any is required, that e-learning is not what it was. Nor should it be, since ‘e-learning’ conjures up images of lecture notes online and unimaginative attempts to deliver ‘learning at a distance’ over the last 15 years or so.

Today’s technologies, allied to changes in patterns of working and changes in demand for when, where and how learning is delivered, makes technology-delivered learning materials much more like performance support tools which can be personalised to the learner and put into the appropriate context to help the learning experience to be as memorable as possible.

Times are changing – and e-learning with them.