Even when the internet was just a series of connected message boards, Steve Jobs knew how closely tied electronics and learning could be. In his own way, he pioneered eLearning. In his 2005 commencement speech at Stanford, Steve Jobs admitted he was a college drop out and described how he came to found Apple. That decision to leave the classroom and learn all he could about computers set him on a course of life-long eLearning in the truest sense. He was not only a creator of electronic devices, but also a student of them. His vision was fueled by a passion and an interest in computing that tends to drive true scholars of all fields. In the process, Apple helped bring about the age of the Internet and interactivity that we enjoy today, and has made eLearning as we know it a possibility.

Here at woople, we are saddened by Jobs’ passing. Our offices are filled with his computers, our live events are energized by his iPods, some of our employees carry his iPhones. Paul Cummings remarked this morning, “Often times, the word ‘genius’ is overused. In Steve Jobs’ case, it was understated. It’s amazing how on a planet of 7 billion people one person can die and so many can feel it.” Everything we do for our clients each day owes a great debt to Steve Jobs’ vision and his lifelong work. When you think not only in terms of the individual devices and pieces of software Apple sold, but also everything that has been accomplished on those devices, you begin to have a sense of how many lives Jobs has touched. He is missed.

Sincerely,
The woople Team