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Get Ready for the E-Learning Revolution!
by Lana Walker-Helmuth

Illustration © 2002
Ann W. Throckmorton

E-learning is hot and getting hotter. Even though there's been a lot of hype and dashed hopes (and budgets) because e-learning is in its infancy, advances in Internet technology are changing the way businesses learn, communicate, and collaborate.

Why is it hot? Because it's all about companies getting and remaining competitive and profitable in the information age. Don't ever forget the bottom line!

What is it?
So, what is e-learning? Definitions vary, including the narrow view that it's simply delivering training courses over the Internet. But I prefer the scope Marc Rosenberg promotes in his book, e-Learning: Strategies for Delivering Knowledge in the Digital Age: "E-learning refers to the use of Internet technologies to deliver a broad array of solutions that enhance knowledge and performance."

He explains it is based on three fundamental criteria.

1. E-learning is networked, which makes it capable of instant updating, storage/retrieval, distribution, and sharing of instruction or information.

2. It is delivered to the end-user by a computer using standard Internet technology.

3. It focuses on the broadest view of learning — learning solutions that go beyond the traditional paradigms of training.

Rosenberg emphasizes that learning and training are not synonymous, that there are many ways we can learn. He says, "In the context of business, learning is the process by which people acquire new skills or knowledge for the purpose of enhancing their performance."

You can think of e-learning (some call it "online learning") as an umbrella term for Web-enabled instruction, knowledge management, performance support, and collaboration.

So what?
E-learning is hot because of its huge potential to turn businesses into lean, mean, profit-creating machines. Together, knowledge and information content is king. And the fighting has begun over who owns and manages chunks of information such as learning objects and knowledge objects.

Why is this important to understand? Because technical communicators often are at the hub of enhancing performance without realizing how important their skills and contributions are to the new information-based economy.

E-learning is not the domain of a chosen few, even though some would have you believe it is. To truly shape and direct its power, all who are interested in enhancing performance must share it across several areas, including training, documentation, knowledge management, and performance support. In fact, these distinct disciplines are starting to converge and overlap as they focus on performance-centered business outcomes.

More definitions
Technical communication has changed dramatically over the years. For example, software manuals used to be product centered. When software became easier to use and ubiquitous, writing morphed to center on the user. Now we're learning about creating just-in-time information and performance-centered design.

Can you easily describe knowledge management? Do you think it's just a glorified database? What about instructional design? Electronic performance support systems? Until recently, I couldn't describe these areas very well. I knew that I seemed to do a bit of everything as a technical communicator, but the distinctions were fuzzy.

Following are broad descriptions. Keep in mind that there are no universally accepted definitions.

• Instructional design is the systematic approach to the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning materials and activities, often referred to as ADDIE.

• Training is a structured event intended to enable performance (develop skills) and to promote awareness (knowledge).
  
  An example of Web-enabled training, of course, is online classes.
  
  
• Information architecture aims to organize information so people can find what they're looking for. Architects design organization systems, create consistent labeling schemes, and devise navigational paths.
  
  An example is organizing information and knowledge on Web sites and intranets.
  
  
• Electronic performance support systems (EPSSs) provide whatever is necessary to generate performance and learning at the moment of need. Gloria Gery coined the term and defines an EPSS as "an electronic system that provides integrated, on-demand access to information, advice, learning, and tools to enable a high level of job performance with a minimum amount of support from other people."
  
  An example of performance support on the Internet is programming that guides novices through a series of questions and prompts to determine appropriate actions.
  
  
• Knowledge management refers to capturing, analyzing, cataloging, and storing the knowledge (both explicit and tacit) and experiences of people within an organization and making it available to others. More advanced systems encourage collaboration and allow workers to amend and update resources.
  
  A Web-based knowledge management system might be a simple help system or a complex portal that delivers targeted information according to job profiles.
  

Now what?
It was only a matter of time before people saw the potential synergy of merging disciplines. So now we're seeing practitioners from diverse fields working together to create systems that work in the information age.

Do you see how you are or could be a major force in the e-learning revolution? Now is the time to shed any outdated beliefs about the role of technical communicators. If you want in on the revolution and to reap the rewards, do whatever it takes to position yourself.

It may mean changing the terms for what you do. Instead of being a technical writer, maybe you're an e-learning content developer, information developer, information architect, knowledge engineer, or communication designer.

Maybe you need to take classes to fill in skill gaps. (For an excellent discussion, download STC Conference Session PD 2G paper "Transitioning from Technical Writing to Instructional Design" at www.stc.org/49thConf/Session_Materials/show_IE.asp. Also, see the article I wrote for the May 2001 Signature "Your Fast Track to Instructional Design.")

Maybe you need to join organizations that are more visible in e-learning such as the American Society for Training and Development (www.astd.org) or the International Society for Performance Improvement (www.ispi.org). Both have San Diego chapters.

Maybe you need to attend e-learning conferences. I plan to attend the Online Learning 2002 Conference & Expo in Anaheim, September 23 through 25. (See www.vnulearning.com for details.)

If anyone has advice or suggestions or would like to write a follow-up article, feel free to email me at Lana@pe.net.

The e-learning revolution is here, and technical communicators are and should be major players. Don't let real opportunities and rewards pass you by!