The Mumbai Marathon 2006: Geetha's Perspective

I was part of the TIS team that took part in the Mumbai Marathon 2006 yesterday (15-Jan-06). While the number of participants, with apparently more than 20,000 people running in the different categories, was overwhelming, what to me was even more amazing was the crowd. There were spectators on all sides, dressed for the occasion, craning necks to get a view of the predominantly amateur runners, and waving handmade placards, flags and the like. Some of them apparently even bought biscuits and water off their own money and provided these to the runners.

What made these people wake up early on a Sunday morning, get on to the train or bus or whatever modes of transport they took (the roads were mostly closed for private vehicles, so that could have been an option for most of these folks), and stand in the middle of the hot roads, cheering people they don’t know from Adam? What’s it in for them?

Is there a lesson we can learn from the marathon, from an e-learning perspective? We keep spending a lot of time and energy trying to build in the “what’s in it for me” element into the design of our products. Is there something here? Or am I just forcing connections where there are none?

(Geetha Krishnan heads Instructional Design at Tata Interactive Systems)

Comments

[S M Nafay Kumail]

Hi Geetha,

There is a strong connection there. A marathon is a test of ability for athletes. Disabilities come into picture when you see ability at its highest. As far as e-learning is concerned, it is still the stage of walkathon. And think of e-learning for people with disabilities, we are yet to stand up and walk.

Regards
SM Nafay Kumail
Co-author of "e-Learning: An Expression of the Knowledge Economy"

[Gayatri]

Hi Geetha, a little late this, but I was just thinking over the connection and as I was walking through the mall the other day, it came to me.
A mall is an urban subculture, that allows an individual to be alone, and yet not alone. In the distances that city life creates, as opposed to the togetherness of village/small-town life that we all were in some way or the other a part of, places like mall, and until more recently primarily the local trains and buses, fulfill a need to be part of a community, share imperfections, cheer each other on, and achieve a final goal without feeling inadequate by not being the first or best to reach it.
The marathon, and e-learning subsequently, are similar in that they allow individuals to extend their personal efforts in a group environment by sharing imperfections amongst the group and working towards a common goal. the inability to reach the goal at times is frustrated, but encouragement of the trainer and of others similarly struggling, takes the pressure to perform off.
I think a key lesson to be derived from what you have said is that while most e-learning does build in encouragement from the trainer, it completely overlooks the importance of team co-ordination between learners. Perhaps that is an area that could also be built in. Two or more learners on a programme could probably be pitted against each other in a light 'race to the finish'.
As you may have guessed by now, yes, I miss you guys!