In less than 48 hours we will be posting the gap analysis for the transition project.  This, of course, leads me to consider gaps. Visual images of the Grand Canyon or Canyonlands appear in my mind. Such gaps make it appear that the place where we want to be is unreachable from where we are. In fact, the feedback data includes some who hold the belief that the other side is unreachable.

Reaching the other side cannot be accomplished magically. No super hero will fly us across the gap. Yet to descend into the gap would put us in over our heads, which is a very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous place to be. So, the task is to build a bridge across the gap, creating a path from where we are now to the other side.

As course developers we will continue down the bridge building path – through task analysis, task list building, and on through the course development process. We invite you to continue to give us feedback, sharing your ideas and concerns as we engage in the process. But perhaps even more, we encourage you to lay the foundation for the bridge in your own community: talking about what will be expected, getting training dates on your calendars, and building buy-in among stakeholders.