e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning

1.8. e-Learning: The Pitfalls

Despite these impressive capabilities of computer-delivered instruction, we see two common barriers to the realization of the potential of online learning. These are: (1) losing sight of the job, leading to transfer failure, and (2) media abuse, leading to over or under use of technology in ways that defeat learning.

1.8.1. Pitfall One: Losing Sight of the Job

To design powerful learning environments whose lessons both transfer to the workplace and improve the performance of the organization is not easy, no matter whether planned for classroom or multimedia delivery. To teach higher-order problem-solving skills like the ones illustrated in the bank loan program (Figure 1.6), the designer must first define what ...