“Click Nevermore”
Ted Manning from Allen Interactions sent me this lively poetic piece on e-learning: Once I took e-learning (dreary), and I pondered, weak and weary Why they forced me to go through it - who'd create this dreadful bore? While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping As of some one gently rapping, rapping on my chamber door. 'Tis Flash animation," I did mutter, "only this and nothing more." Wish I could retain some meaning, 'fore my interest careening From this dull, page-turning Fiend, Had me weeping on the floor. Yet I plodded, kicking, screaming, clicking clicks I did deplore. Then I stumbled 'pon a screen which did set my mind to reeling, Quoth instructions (Times New Raven), in a font typed very small: Click Nevermore. 'Round the interface, I peering, long I sat there wondering, fearing Doubting, dreaming dreams no learner ever dared to dream before; But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token, But now the words were clearly spoken, those instructions from before, A reedy, screechy chirpy voice through mine headphones: "Click Nevermore." Much I marveled - head was churning - was this teaching? Was I learning? Could I recall course objectives, witnessed by mine eyes before? Thus I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing, Performance outcomes? All unknown, but this I did the screen implore: "Tell me truly, what thou wantest!" Quoth the screen: Click Nevermore. "Prophet!" cried I, "thing of evil! Wretched software! Damned upheaval! Dare I click this absurd button, or doest thou warn me to abhor? What behavior seekest thee - what change in my skills' core? Tell this soul with sorrow laden, how to grasp that distant shore!" Quoth e-learning: Click Nevermore. Now the screen doth mock me truly: flickering, winking, taunting coolly, And my eyes have all the seeming of a demon most unruly, As I wait for new instructions, those that guide me through a door To a Haven blessing users, peaceful Eden, where true learning is adored. Yet I grasp no hope of leaving, for in my mind those words still roar: Quoth e-learning, "Click Nevermore."Permalink | Monday, November 15, 2004
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