I've blogged about it already, but we're in the middle of a big project that's (hopefully) nearing completion. My honest feeling about it though, is that it's a huge waste of time. Not only that, it's a waste of a LOT of time.
Back when I first started, I thought my role in the division was to create effective, interactive training for the intranet. Just like the our workshop trainers will get together and figure out ways to keep the students engaged in the class, it seemed like my job was to do the same but online. A few years ago, I realized that really wasn't my function. Basically, I take the words that are given me, make them look "pretty", and tweak it until my bosses are happy. Almost never do I actually think about the training's effectiveness... I'm only worried about the higher-up's contentment.
As we near the end of this current course development, I'm struggling with the fact that nothing we're doing is going to help anyone learn anything. Again a few years ago, I had brought up similar issues with my direct supervisor, but I was told, "I understand your concern, but we need to make sure [the head person] is pleased with it first". That is TOTALLY anti-thetical to what I know about Learning. And it bothers me that they DON'T take that approach to the in-person training... or to put it better, it bothers me that they don't treat ONLINE learning with the same attitude as they treat in-person training.
After going to the eLearn DevCon thing a couple of months ago, I almost feel bad for complaining. So may of those people were struggling with even having funding for online training -- and we've got a whole department. At the same time, it should ALL be about effective learning, and not our superior's "egos". Unfortunately, as it stands, my opinion only really matters on minute issues.
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