Finally, A Definition

OK, on with a more complete definition. Rapid eLearning (as in all learning) involves at least two parts or aspects: capture and accessibility. Although not nearly as succinct as I would like, here’s my definition of Rapid eLearning at this point--or at least a list of distinguishing attributes.

Part #1—Capture:

• The goal of Rapid eLearning is to keep people knowledgeable in a fast-changing world.
• It is best suited for updating a person's exisitng knowledge in the midst of quickly changing conditions.
• The strategy for accomplishing the goal is to disintermediate the transfer of knowledge from experts to learners—to create the shortest path from experts to learners.
• The methods for implementing that strategy normally involve electronically capturing (recording) and transferring expert knowledge directly for synchronous and/or asynchronous access.
• Synchronous tools include everything from webcasting (live audio/video streaming) and web conferencing (like WebEx, Live Meeting, etc.), to tools with more robust learning-oriented functions (from companies like Centra, Interwise, and Macromedia).
• Asynchronous access options range from self-production tools (from companies like Articulate and Accordant) to complete enterprise solutions (from companies like Altus Learning Systems).

Part “2—Accessibility:

• The other goal of Rapid eLearning is to make knowledge easily accessible so people can find exactly what they need, when they need it.
• A key accessibility factor in a viable Rapid eLearning solution is searchability. Level 1 searchability involves keyword and metadata-based methods. Level 2 searchability is more comprehensive and involves full-text search.
• Raid eLearning ideally provides granular, point-of-interest access to exactly the specific content needed (not just the file level, but the subtopic level).
• An emerging accessibility method that is beginning to gain traction in enterprise learning is subscription (such as RSS)—the ability to subscribe directly to sites with exactly the content a specific learner is interested in or needs to know about.