It's the Sign of the Times:

Building Competencies through E-learning

February 18, 2009

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Organizations may combine e-teaching and e-learning in a continuum of continuous learning that takes many forms. For organizations who prioritize effective learning, it is important to distinguish the capabilities of e-teaching from the unlimited potential of e-learning. While teaching is a highly professionalized activity, learning is not always the result of teaching. “Learning is the result of active engagement in doing things,” says John Smith, Principal Consultant at Learning Alliances. Teachers and trainers often lose touch with learners who participate in their classes, and busy managers may not stay on top of how their talent is applying increasing degrees of learning in their job. But the voluntary act of documenting best practice in a COP benefits the writer as well as other members.

E-teaching may precede or be made available intermittently to those in a COP. John Smith explained that that a COP is a means to connect learners who learn from each other in an “organic” vs. prepared fashion, which by definition facilitates real-time effective learning. Participants are continuously involved in some kind of “shop talk,” reading what others do, discussing what one does, and asking questions such as, “has anyone seen xyz problem?” --or, “I read about this interesting idea…has anyone tried it?” He added, “when learners are continually connected, the emphasis is on learning using on-line tools vs. using on-line tools for learning.” The e-learning tools become seamless and the learning is in the forefront.

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