Questions of Access...a decade later

In 1999, when I first stepped into the conversations about eLearning, I couldn't read an article or interact with another practitioner without having much of the conversation be dominated by the concept of access. Questions raised were:

How will clients access computer technology?
Which clients will have access to the Internet? Which won't? What speed?
What browser will they be using? Operating System?
How will issues of literacy or computer skills impact engagement?
How will clients receive adequate technical support?

At that time, many practitioners considered eLearning risky to students or clients who might already have educational disadvantages. The distance between a practitioner and a client was often viewed as an insurmountable barrier to overcome. Sure many clients had the equipment and skills to thrive online, but it was feared that the great technical divide would only increase as more education and training took place online.

I walked the conference halls with other colleagues. The back drop was big corporate eLearning platforms promising great return on investment. Bells and whistles wowed us, but only made those access questions even more real. Big price tags were clearly present. What seemed to be missing were those educators, counselors, and instructional designers who knew the client, who knew the educational challenges...not just the bottom line. As more online communication tools have gotten into the hands of educators and counselors, it seems some fear has dissipated.

Today, unlike a decade ago, a new reality presents itself and the conversations about access continue. Interestingly, the questions are often the same. This time, however, it's not with barriers in mind. Instead, the questions are asked with a drive to reach new learners, expand the traditional walls, and create possibilities in new locations.

I've recently been inspired by the eLearning Africa Newsportal. Arguably one of the places challenged most by the access questions, Africa stands to benefit from this shift in thinking.

Check out their One Laptop Per Child project. You can visit this portal for developments in Africa or enter the conversation by joining as one of their Facebook friends.

In this decade we can ask ourselves...what do we currently view as a barrier that with a slight shift in perspective we might see as a way to reach, expand, and create new possibilities?