Proactive, Not Reactive: Strategic with Technology

A Research Review
“…we abandoned the term e-learning entirely.”

Wow! Bold words grace the second paragraph of the latest research done by Tagoras founders Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele. In their freshly published (and free to download!) research, Association Learning & Technology 2014, Cobb and Steele analyze how 200 associations report using technology to “enable and enhance learning.”

Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, founders of Tagoras and authors of Association Learning + Technology

The authors certainly waste no time in dispensing of e-learning as a term, which may perplex many in the educational technology industry. However, after reading the report on their research, it is clear that Cobb and Steele subscribe to a broader vision of learning, one that may be enhanced or delivered by technology but that ultimately relies on one other thing to be successful:strategy.

Yep, e-learning is out (at least, for now from the Tagoras vernacular).  What’s in? Technology-enabled learning. Technology-enhanced learning.  Notice that learning remains prominent. Technology remains prominent.  However, these terms are meant to highlight the strategy rather than the technology tools themselves.  In other words, particular tools are indispensable for enabling and enhancing learning, and a wide variety of options exist for associations to employ in educating their members.  While these tools are key, however, they must be planned and used in meaningful and productive ways for associations to successfully educate their members. This means strategy.

MARKERS OF SUCCESS

A solid strategy leads associations to success in terms of education. The research shows a “steady increase” in associations’ use of technology for learning.  Are all associations experiencing the same amount of success in this area? If not, why not?  Cobb and Steele use their research to illuminate the importance of strategy in helping associations become “more focused,” “more professional,” and “more significant.”

Eighty percent of associations responded that they were very satisfied (24.7 percent) or somewhat satisfied (55.3 percent) with the overall performance of their current learning initiatives with technology.  That’s excellent news, right?  And in fact, it is, until we look closer at the areas of dissatisfaction identified in the research.