E-Learning Evolution: Global E-Learning Portals and Their Elements

In the last post I suggested to you that there is a growing need to take prudent steps to try to bring order and direction to e-Learning. This is especially true now that many organizations in 2020 are starting to discover the potential that e-Learning has for the learning culture within global business organizations. Given that a growing number of organizations offering e-Learning are coming on stream each day, the continuing exponential growth of technology use and the desire in both the business sector and education sector for the development of a culture of innovation, we are reaching a "critical mass".

At this point we will either continue down a path using a fragmented vision for e-Learning that differs radically depending upon the global economic area you are based in or we will create a new path with the goal of establishing a global consensus with regards to a shared, unified vision that is in harmony with established adaptive standards of practice and a global collaboration of all stakeholders in their roles to make valued contributions to the realization of a vision that they all agree with. As the business community should recognize, the education of learners to become creators of new knowledge and skillsets translates into employees who have the right skillsets to grow innovation within their communities. We need a global compass that focuses our efforts to perform at a high level but a level that not only enriches the business organization we are a part of but also satisfies the learning needs of our employees as they live and innovate in a connected world.

These are the conversations that need to go viral and they must culminate in the building of collaborative relationships on a global scale because global events such as pandemics like the one impacting countries now will continue to wreak havoc upon the global economic health of business unless it has a global vision and plan in place.

Credit: www.trutower.com

Six Global E-Learning Portals

What I am about to suggest to you comes with a number of disclaimers:

• This is conceptual and its purpose is to get you to become involved in useful conversations as you consider the possibilities. It is not my intent to suggest that these are THE configurations and the only ones to consider. These concepts are the product of my thoughtful engagement with e-Learning over 30 years.
• The titling of these portals again are open to revision but I think you will also discern my thinking behind their choice
• The composition of the families of countries are again not something that I intend to dictate but I would welcome the thoughts of others as to other pertinent criteria to be considered in the choice of participants in each global E-Learning portal.

Portal #1: The Northern Hemisphere Pacific Portal

Portal #2: The Southern Hemisphere Pacific Portal

Portal #3: The Northern Hemisphere Atlantic Portal

Portal #4: The Southern Hemisphere Atlantic Portal

Portal #5: The Mediterranean & Central EU Portal

Portal #6: The Indian Ocean & Middle East Portal

With respect to the first four portals, the equator is a determining factor. Also, I am not so naive as to not recognize that the selection of which countries belong to what e-Learning portal will require cultural, political, historical,and economical relationships among them to be considered. This requires the great desire to really try to understand the world from each others point of view and be comfortable enough to discuss it to develop strong ties in developing a unified vision for E-Learning.

Credit: www.entrepreneur.com

The Elements of the Global E-Learning Portals

As you will note in my profile, I am an explorer and innovator at heart. I like to go to places in thinking that others who are comfortable in the status quo would find very uncomfortable.The following diagram is not a slick, techno-app designed diagram but instead is the type of diagram that someone like Leonardo da Vinci might have started with to show a free flow of thought. I am NOT claiming to be a da Vinci so please do not go down that path but I do appreciate the way he engaged in a free flow of ideas in order to complete his inventions.

I have been told by my colleagues that it is wise to chunk information for learners and so I will follow their advice and post the continuing description of each of these elements in my next post. I leave you with this question:

"Do you and your organization value your most important asset, your employees, enough to want to see them reach their highest learning potential within the organization ?" Your future depends on this!