zaterdag, maart 24, 2007
Lies about learning - book review
I finished reading Lies about learning. Every chapter in the book covers a specific topic of the learning industry and the associated 'lies'. The editor is Larry Israelite who took the initiative because he was fed up with hearing these self-fulfilling lies over and over again.The best thing about the book is its title. I didn't say the book sucks but the title is very very good :-). For someone in the learning business who has been keeping up the book will not bring a lot of new knowledge or insights, but it is nice to see it all brought togeter in a short and understandable way. I think it will make a great addition to my book shelve and I can take the book back anytime I want some pro/cons kind of story on a learning topic. Of course, don't expect any of the 'lies' to be in favor of the learning industry. There is for example a chapter on instructional design ("is it dead?"), written by someone with a hearthwarming passion for his field. You have to remember the source.
Some examples:
- Lies about learners: learners already know what they need to know
- Lies about the design of learning: is instructional design irrelevant or more needed than ever?
- Lies about careers in learning: training professionals don't get any respect
- Lies about Chief Learning Officers: CLOs have a seat at the management table
- Lies about consultants and vendors: the client never tells lies
- Lies about managing the learning function: outsourcing is good/bad by definition
- Lies about e-learning: E-learning is new
- Lies about learning technology tools: the merger will benefit customers
- Lies about learning to lead: leadership can't be learned, it's born
- Lies about learning organisations: we want to become one
- Lies about research: who paid for the research?
Labels: book review, Lies about learning
