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The e-training content developers in our team are, without an exception, loyal defenders of interactive learning that help learners acquire skills in an active and constructive way. We want to extend and augment the learning experience of our e-learners beyond the short duration of the courses we offer. When e-learning becomes an enjoyable and enlightening collaborative communication that situates the content of the courses in the life of the learner, we believe web enabled academic spaces become catalysts of on going learning and exploration.

Unfortunately, our e-learning platform simply refused to take teaching even a single step beyond passive knowledge-disposal using text and static images that just stare right back at the learner.

Despite all the inherent disadvantages of the platform, believe it or not, we never experienced a dearth of participants who want to join our training programs. And that is because we are an e-training team that is part of an MNC: our learners are employees of the organization who did not have any other go but to attend the online training and pass the exams when their supervisors enrolled them in our programs.

However, our inert and unimposing, albeit, content-rich courses had us clamoring for an e-training platform that sported interactivity and spacious room for exploration and experimentation. We wanted discussion boards and academic chat rooms where learners and trainers could participate in active learning in a student centered, non-aggressive, non-competitive environment. So we became crusaders of flash files that made learning fun and interactive. We were ready to give our lives for decorative bullets and blinking arrows that made navigation through our modules a breeze.

So when the news of the visit of our mentor, our big boss from the Netherlands, reached us, we danced a tango of delight. Finally our voices will be heard. Our entreaties will be considered and acted upon. Our hunger for an interactive platform will be satiated.

Team meeting with the big boss to discuss our concerns was scheduled the very third day of his arrival. Demonstrating once again his uncanny talent for making us feel important, he listened with utmost interest and empathy to our woes, dreams, visualizations, ideas, and suggestions.

As we went on with our rant, he leaned forward to grab the imaginary microphone. We braced for the rebuttal. He agreed that interactivity is pivotal to any learning experience to be deep-rooted and fruitful. “But” he paused ominously as we perched on the edge of our chairs, intrigued by his ‘but.’ “Interactivity in the design of the platform is not that important; interactivity in the design of the learning materials is.”

“But… but…” we protested feebly. But the verdict was clear. No interactive features on the platform. Period.

“About the interactivity issue,” he seemed to reconsider his verdict for a brief nano second and we rekindled our sodden hopes. Pouring ice cold water over our hopes one more time, he continued: “You are creative writers. It’s your job to find creative ways to surmount the minor issues of the platform.”

What flashed upon my mind was the anecdote in Toni Morrison’s poignant Nobel Prize acceptance speech. The story goes like this: A wise and blind woman, a renowned clairvoyant is visited by some young people who were determined to expose her as an imposter. Their plan is to exploit her blindness by asking her whether the bird in their hands is alive or dead. She cannot see the people or what is in their hands. Nevertheless, she understands their motive. Finally she speaks after a long silence. "I don't know", she says. "I don't know whether the bird you are holding is dead or alive, but what I do know is that it is in your hands. It is in your hands."

We sank under the profound heaviness of the responsibility that fluttered in our hands.

I would like to add an aside in the spirit of the dramatic tradition of medieval Europe: The old woman in the story knew that whatever her answer, the young men could prove her wrong. If she said the bird is alive, they would kill it and if she said it is dead, they would let it flutter away. Hence her reply, “it is in your hands.”

The curtain falls.