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Is it live or is it Memorex?

By Lisa Neal, Saul Carliner / September 2005

TYPE: OPINION
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One of the most touted benefits of synchronous learning technologies is the convenience of joining a "live" online session regardless of where participants are located. That a session can be archived for replay is stated as another distinct advantage of these technologies. Recorded seminars are now hyped as if they deliver the same experience as the live sessions---or, in some cases better, since they can be viewed at any time.

While live sessions may be viewed as less convenient, we believe they deliver significant benefits not found in recorded sessions.

Live sessions are compelling in three ways. First is that a live speaker is far more engaging---the inevitable "ums," "ahs," and pauses notwithstanding. A recorded session can be edited to remove flaws, but a live session offers authenticity. Second is that other people have joined the session and generally participants can see who else is there. Finally, participants can interact with the presenter and with each other. Even though many people don't avail themselves of this opportunity, the fact that the possibility exists shapes the learning experience.

Authenticity, presence, and interaction are not often touted as pedagogically necessary for learning and retention. However, with technology-mediated learning, these attributes, individually or collectively, often make the difference between a learner who is engaged and one who is half-listening while doing something else.

Visiting a museum to see original artwork is less convenient than viewing a reproduction, but the experience of being in a gallery with others viewing an authentic work of art is compelling and memorable in its own way. A play or concert may be improvised or flawed in contrast to a movie or audio recording, but the authenticity can make these uniquely potent experiences stay with an audience for years. A textbook can impart clear and concise wisdom, but the lack of engagement is what drives people to take courses with professors who can discuss and illuminate course readings.

This reminds us of the old advertisement for audio tape which asked: Is it live or is it Memorex? As regards online learning, it doesn't really matter whether Ella Fitzgerald's recorded voice can break a glass like the real thing. What is important are the conditions under which people learn best and retain the most.



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ADDITIONAL READING

    Saul Carliner
  1. Designing and developing e-learning projects
  2. Long Live Instructor-Led Learning
  3. Lisa Neal
  4. How to get students to show up and learn
  5. Q&A
  6. Blended conferences
  7. Predictions for 2002
  8. Learning from e-learning
  9. Storytelling at a distance
  10. Q&A with Don Norman
  11. Q&A with Saul Carliner
  12. When will e-learning reach a tipping point?
  13. Online learning and fun
  14. In search of simplicity
  15. eLearning and fun
  16. Everything in moderation
  17. The basics of e-learning
  18. "Spot Learning"
  19. Talk to me
  20. Q&A with Diana Laurillard
  21. Do it yourself
  22. Degrees by mail
  23. Predictions for 2004
  24. Five Questions...for Christopher Dede
  25. Five Questions... for John Seely Brown
  26. Five questions...for Shigeru Miyagawi
  27. "Deep" thoughts
  28. 5 questions... for Richard E. Mayer
  29. Designing usable, self-paced e-learning courses
  30. Want better courses?
  31. Just "DO IT"
  32. Five questions...
  33. Formative evaluation
  34. Senior service
  35. Blogging to learn and learning to blog
  36. The Value of Voice
  37. Predictions for 2006
  38. The stripper and the bogus online degree
  39. Five questions...for Lynn Johnston
  40. Five questions...for Tom Carey
  41. Not all the world's a stage
  42. Five questions...for Karl M. Kapp
  43. Five questions...for Seb Schmoller
  44. Do distance and location matter in e-learning?
  45. Why do our K-12 schools remain technology-free?
  46. Music lessons
  47. Learn to apologize for fun and profit
  48. Of web hits and Britney Spears
  49. Advertising or education?
  50. Five questions…for Matt DuPlessie
  51. Back to the future
  52. Learner on the Orient Express
  53. My life as a Wikipedian
  54. Five questions...for Elliott Masie
  55. Five questions...for Larry Prusack
  56. Serious games for serious topics
  57. Five (or six) questions...for Irene McAra-McWilliam
  58. Predictions For 2003