Adult e-learning expectations vs. reality.

Expectations of e-learning complementing and even substituting traditional education have been high, however, as mentioned in and articles entitled “An Integrative Model to Predict the Continuance Use of Electronic Learning Systems” reality has fallen short of expectations.

In this writers opinion, the reason is that very often current e-learning is made of adaptations of print or traditional classroom learning. Even the most innovative of teachers has trouble thinking a new.

Adults want freedom and efficiency. They want just what then are looking for, when they needed, very focused, and “right sized”. One way of providing such learning is via the use of learning object focused knowledge on demand as opposed to traditional formats.

The idea being that I want to find what I need, when I needed, in digestible chunks, that I can navigate through at my convenience. That is very different from traditional learning or what is being pushed in many e-learning environments.

Hints for adult learning:

• Create learning object based instruction.


• Have each learning object be of manageable size (digestible and less than 5 minute per object).


• Allow the learner to assess him/her self if desired and provide links from remediation to relevant learning objects.


• Let the learner decide whether to follow the outline or search-and-learn by him/her self.


• Pay attention to the interaction design and provide a reasonable degree of interactivity (leave the cute in favor of the effective).