Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ e-learning Stakeholders and Design

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community
The comment from elearnspace reads simply, "If the designer isn't in contact with the end user, how can the learning environment / software / course / resource be designed to optimize their experience?" It points to the necessity of feedback, but while I would agree that feedback is useful, I draw the line at saying it is necessary. It is possible to design very good, if not optimal, systems with zero user feedback. Many things - from great works of literature, to great art, to innovative software, have been designed this way. "I write my songs for myself," is the way many artists put this sentiment. Not only do I think that this devel-may-care attittude exists, I think it is actually necessary. Innovation is disruptive, and disruption produces negative feedback, and if the feedback guides the product, the first thing to go would be the innovation. I like to listen to and read comments, because they let me know when I'm onto something. But I would never ever design - or write - based only on the feedback.

Today: 2 Total: 97 [Direct link] [Share]

Image from the website


Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

Copyright 2024
Last Updated: Nov 23, 2024 4:39 p.m.

Canadian Flag Creative Commons License.

Force:yes