PowerPoint – The King of eLearning Tools?

Is PowerPoint the most widely used tool for eLearning development? Should it be?

It seems that everywhere I go in the eLearning world I run into PowerPoint. Most of the new authoring tools either use PPT as their backbone or offer the ability to import slides. Interface creation, navigation buttons, LMS tracking, and testing abilities are then typically added to the PPT functionality.

I “grew-up” in eLearning world using Director/Authorware and then moving into Flash/HTML (PPT was “off-limits”).  In the past few years I’ve started using Articulate and Captivate to do the heavy lifting and using Flash more for specific parts of the overall course. Using these new tools meant that I had to start using PPT.

At first I was very anti-PPT, however I have changed my tune a bit in the past few years. I have come to appreciate that with some good thought and instructional design you can use most any tool to a decent level of effectiveness. I’ve seen terrible Flash and Lectora courses even thought they were created in amazing (expensive) tools. Then on the flip-side, I’ve seen some very creative content built with free tools.

Seems cliché but maybe it’s not about the tool. Good instructional design skills can be applied anywhere.

Here are a few reasons why PPT seems to be so widely used in eLearning:

1. Classroom training is often converted to an online format. Every classroom course has a PPT and it’s usually the first thing that someone thinks about when they want to put the course online. Unfortunately too often the PPT is simply thrown online without having truly turned it into effective eLearning.

2. Everyone has PPT. It’s probably already on every training person’s computer.

3. Everyone knows how to use it (and if they don’t it’s pretty easy to learn.)

4. You can quickly create content and there are tons of layouts, backgrounds, and color themes.

5. And last but not least, Microsoft already owns the world so why not conform?

What do you think? What has been your experience with PPT as a development tool? What is it missing? Do you think Microsoft will add features and turn it into a more robust eLearning development tool? Good article from Rapid eL Blog.

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eLearning flash interactions, games, and PowerPoint backgrounds for your online courses.

Create a Look and Feel for eLearning Courses

The look and feel (branding) of your online training is VERY important.

Benefits of a good course brand

• Makes an impact – Learners want courses that look good. It gives an impression of professionalism and expertise.
• Attracts attention – We look at things that attract our attention. Once we attract attention a learner may actually start to read our content.
• Minimizes distractions – A good design adds to the course content and doesn’t “get in the way”. It shouldn’t distract from the learning.
• Ties the company together – If the course “looks” like the company it gives a sense of belonging.

How do you start creating a look and a feel? Here are some posts:

• The Spicy Learning Blog – Top five tips for creating a look and feel for a new client
• eLearning Brothers – Brand your online training

Want to create some branded templates? Why are they valuable?

• Why use eLearing templates in your course?
• Creating Flash Templates for eLearning

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Need some Flash Interactions for your course?

The Forgotten Step in eLearning Design

There is a step in the design process that seems to be rushed-over at times: Brainstorming.

Many times we are presented with information that needs to be trained. We’ve probably done a similar course in the past and/or covered a similar topic. We probably have standards, templates, colors, and other various course assets in place so that we can build content more quickly. The course also needs to be done yesterday.

It is very easy to just “start building”. We have a learning need, the base content is provided, SMEs are lined up to review it, and we have a deadline….let’s do it! However we are missing a key “brainstorming” step.

We all know that a team of individuals can usually be more creative than just one individual. As ideas start to “fly” others can build off those ideas and come up with new/better ones. Each person’s unique background and skills leads them to new ideas. However many times getting together a brainstorming team is viewed as cumbersome and time consuming.

Brainstorming can be very simple and quick. Here’s how I like to brainstorm a course:

1. Come up with a basic outline of the course content and proposed flow.
2. Gather the design team (or anyone who wants to participate).
3. Briefly mention what topics need to be covered.
4. Ask for ideas on how this information could be presented. (high-level ideas and quick)
5. Write them down. (all of them….every comment is OK at this point)
6. When everyone is done, start to combine ideas that are similar and delete those that aren’t feasible.

Through this process the best ideas rise to the top and become more refined. This process can give you great ideas for how to brand a course, make it interactive, present content, and engage the learner.

Brainstorming Rules:

• No judgements (every comment is OK at this point)
• No discussions (save the discussion for later)
• No stories
• Quick responses (only spend 5-10 mins total)
• Get a lot of ideas before stopping (may set a goal beforehand)
• Keep going even if you have a great idea early
• Save the brainstorming notes

Here’s an interesting article on Brainstorming methods (right-brain vs. left-brain).

Brainstorming isn’t new but I think that if we spent a bit more time doing it our course could be greatly improved.

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eLearning activities and interactions

The Power of PowerPoint Master Slides in eLearning

Master slides in PowerPoint are very powerful and they are easier than ever to do with PPT 07. When using a rapid e-Learning authoring tools that runs off PowerPoint I always start with a template that uses master slides. (or I build one to use throughout the course.)

Why do I like master slides: Templates – You can create a bunch of master slides and then save it as a template.That allows you to chose from many different layouts with just one click. (see last image below.) Page Design – Create a different layout for each type of learning interaction. Build master slides with 1,2,3…. boxes, scenarios, title page, pre-quiz, course evaluation, etc. (see the example images below.) Consistent Layout – The text boxes and images for each layout are always in the same spot. It makes the presentation/course look clean and professional when things don’t “jump” around. Easy to Share – If you work with multiple designers it is easy to share the file so that everyone is using the same layouts. It’s Fast – Once you build some master slides it can really increase your design speed. You don’t have to “fiddle” with the layout of each page. Just click New Slide and choose a layout. Reusable – You can quickly select the master slides and make changes. These changes will be reflected on every slide/page that used that master slide. Quickly change fonts, text positions, colors, etc. Here are PowerPoint course templates and styles for eLearning that we’ve created. I hope that they speed up development and make your courses look great! Happy eLearning!

Handwritten Fonts – Where to Find Them

I’ve come across various posts lately about handwritten fonts and they can be a great addition to an online course.

Examples of handwritten fonts being used:

Here are some free Handwritten Fonts:

• Articulate
• Da Font
• TripWire Magazine
• Instant Shift

Great Post: Tom and the Rapid eLearning Blog on when to use handwritten fonts.

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Checkout PowerPoint backgrounds for your eLearning courses.

Hostages in Training Prison

Awhile back I did a post on Training Prisoners and how we can help participants not feel “trapped” in class.

I’ve been reading a blog called: Better Learning Better Earning and it has some interesting articles. One in particular touches on Training by Hostage.  They discuss Learning Liberty, Learning Tyranny, and You-niversity.

We really can’t force anyone to learn. We can encourage people to pursue interests and to feed those interest.

At times employees must learn certain information whether they are interested or not. That’s where good instructional design can help. Appropriate interactions, activities, scenarios, etc. can really help create interest.

I guess the best course would be when a participant gets so enthralled in the content that it turns into self-education. Check out their post.

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eLearning activities and games

eLearner’s Bill of Rights

A recent article on eLearn Magazine talked about how to make eLearning stick. At the end of the article Susan Doctoroff Landay posts her “eLearner’s Bill of Rights“. Her point is that we need to remember our eLearner’s expectations when creating courses. Every learner has expectations but the challenge with eLearning is that we can’t see the participants and they have many different tools/ways to access our content.

Here is Susan’s eLearner’s Bill of Rights:

I. Freedom of speech. E-learners have the right to be heard. Learning is a two-way street.

II. The right to bare arms. There is no stated dress code for online learning.

III. No imposition of unreasonable quarters. Online learners shall not be forced to remain seated in front of their computer for the duration of a learning experience. They should be invited to stand and stretch to keep the blood flowing and their attention focused.

IV. No unreasonable searches and seizures. While facilitators may search for a right answer on online survey questions, learners have the right to make mistakes. If one is unable to answer a question correctly, the instructor will not cause embarrassment.

V. Exemption from self-incrimination. If you didn’t do a pre-session assignment and can get away with it, good for you. But you may pay the price later!

VI. The right to a speedy trial. You have the right to try new things and put learning to use as quickly as possible either in online simulations or real-life situations.

VII. The right to a jury of peers. You are entitled access to a group of peers who have experienced the same online learning module. Among this group, you will not be judged, but will be supported when faced with new challenges that require input or discussion.

VIII. No cruel and unusual punishment. E-learners shall not be subjected to interminable lectures, excessive homework nor scorn by the instructor or fellow students. Poor attempts at humor, deemed painful to some, shall be exempt.

IX. Equal treatment of all. All should be treated respectfully regardless of computer speed or size of monitor.

X. The right to have fun. E-learners have the right to laugh, play, and enjoy the learning experience in an interesting, stress-free environment.

My thoughts:

I – Even though many of our courses are self-paced, it sure would be great to tie in ways for the learners to send feedback. This could be feedback directly to the course SME/author or it could be some type of discussion board/forum where everyone could post thoughts.

III – TRUE!  Let’s keep courses short and offer easy ways to jump directly to the topics that we need.

VI – This is one of the greatest beauties of online training … we can try out systems that are fake. Think of ways to build in simulations and give everyone hands-on practice.

IX – This is a hard one. Sometimes is hard to accomadate the person that is still using IE version 1 and a 640 x 480 monitor. By the time you show the navigation buttons and course outline their isn’t much room for content.

X – eLearning is a safe place for people to learn. Nobody is watching and you don’t have to worry about the teacher calling on you.

Susan … Thanks for your Bill of Rights!

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eLearning games and interactive flash templates

eLearning Graphics – They Make a Huge Impact!

There is no doubt that graphics and images greatly improve online training content. The question is how to properly use them. I’ve come across some good articles lately and thought that I’d compile and list them here.  (the list also includes some posts on graphics that we’ve done in the past.)

Realistic Graphics and Learning: What’s most effective? (The eLearning Coach)

Really…Were These the Best Images We Could Find? (eLearning Brothers)

Don’t use Gratuitous Images in eLearning (eLearning Brothers)

Graphics: Adding Reflections (eLearning Brothers)

5 Common Visual Design Mistakes (The Rapid eLearning Blog)

Visual Design for Instructional Content (eLearning Post)

If you have some more good articles please let me know.

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(Check out amazing eLearning Games, Flash Interactions, PowerPoint Backgrounds, and e Learning Templates)

Instructional Design for Videos

A lot of training is using video and it’s becoming very easy to create and distribute. As things become easier and cheaper we often see the quality decrease. For example, if you had to spend $10,000 to hire a camera crew to come out and do a video shoot then you’d probably have all of the scripts and talent well prepared. However, if you can quickly create a video on your handheld camera and upload it to YouTube then you might be tempted to just “wing-it”.

Here is a great article by Jeremy Vest on things to keep in mind when doing instructional design for video.

7 Sins of Online Video Instructional Design
April 30, 2009
By Jeremy Vest (Chief learning officer of Splash Media and author of “Exploring Web Design.” )

(Post from SalesMarketing.com)

With the popularity of video sites such as YouTube, which now accounts for 25 percent of all searches on the Web, the consumption of video training is now a reality in most organizations and colleges.  This accessible forum has made it easier for organizations to produce and provide online training videos.  While this technology is available to anyone, companies do need to take time to consider the quality of the online training videos they are producing and providing.  The following will give you a perspective of common, yet avoidable, mistakes most companies make when creating online training videos:

1. Not connected to learners
Have the subject matter expert (SME) address the camera, and do not just show screen shots. Change up shots; do not keep static too long. The more impersonal you make your training videos, the less likely your learners will feel a connection to the SME.  This will cause a less engaged overall learning experience. Click here for an example of a connected online video.

2. Poor planning before the shoot
More…

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Fun Learning Games.

Picking the Right LMS Logo and Design

We all know that branding is important. I’ve discussed the importance of branding our online courses before however I didn’t mentioned tying that into the branding/logo of the LMS. A good LMS name/logo can really help learners and the company culture adopt online learning. I’ve seen things from plays on university/college terms to words that describe action/learning/performance. Here is an article that I found interesting:

Design a Successful and Memorable Logo For Your LMS E-Learning Courseware

By Robin L. Green

If you’re preparing e-learning content for a learning management system course or online training program, you’re making many decisions. Besides choices about navigation, format, and the information itself, you’ll be making decisions about aesthetics; the style and design of your e-learning product. You may decide to design a logo for your online course.

Of course, a logo is a bit like a book cover; when all is said and done, it doesn’t mean an awful lot. Your course itself must be robust and effective in order to succeed in a competitive e-learning marketplace. On the other hand, we all know the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” doesn’t exist for nothing. The reality is, we do make quick, visual judgments constantly, when selecting everything from romantic partners to shampoo to restaurants. And just like a really eye-catching or interesting book cover, a logo piques viewer interest and appeals to some aesthetic sensibility. A logo quickly sets apart your e-learning courseware from the rest. It will also facilitate in viewer recognition as your courseware increases in popularity.

Remember: your logo is a small but potent image embodying your courseware system, representing you and your content.

Logos might be a name (logotype), or simply an image, in the form of an icon, sign, or emblem (ideograms). Most logos are a mix of both. In combinations of both, ideograms are often recognizable even without the logotype, such as the McDonald’s arc, or the Red Cross.

Even though some e-learning content developers and organizations use outside help in designing their logo, such as software or a graphic designer, doing so is not necessary. You’ve already taken the (significant) time necessary to develop and design an entire courseware system. So why not add your last personal touch by designing your own logo?

Branding your courseware system with a logo will give your course its own flare and personality. But how do you go about designing a logo that is as unique as your courseware system?

The first start is to simply start brainstorming. But don’t imagine that the logo will come to you in a vision or a dream. Use your hands, and lots of paper. It’s very important to write and sketch everything out by hand. Large design companies use this method, in which designers sketch pages and pages of ideas before putting anything on the computer. Sketching is the most effective way to create your courseware logo.

Brainstorm with all available resources at hand, using all possible means. Do some Googling of images, jot down keywords and ideas, use mind mapping, and check out competitors’ logos. Don’t rule out any idea before at least the next day, and run your ideas by people whose perspectives you respect.

Now that you have a simple but potent logo design, the key is simply try different things with it. Try different colors and shades and combinations, and add and subtract images. The logo will most likely be surrounded by taglines and/or text. Subject your logo to many different situations, testing taglines and texts to find out where they look best–left, right, center, and so on. Also test different fonts, sizes and combinations.

Keep your courseware system logo simple but visually appealing. You’ll want something that’s bold, describable, memorable and easy on the eye. Also, if scalability is an issue, making a simple logo will also make scaling it up or down easier.

Respect the integrity and uniqueness of your course content, as well as your target audience. It might be educational content for schools or a training course for organizations. Who’s going to be using your courseware? If the answer to this question is kids, you might design your logo in a more colorful and playful way. And if the course is intended for medical students, take that into consideration as well, and design accordingly.

Creating a great courseware logo involves balancing two unlike concepts. The logo should reflect both innovation and tradition, new/exciting and constant. It’s a fine line to walk. But when all is said and done, your logo should represent a courseware system in which potential learning management system users can place their trust and confidence.

Create e-learning courses, online lessons or training modules easily on Coggno’s LMS.

Try it risk free. Visit http://www.coggno.com/lms, send a “Contact me” request and Coggno’s representative will be in touch to set up your free account.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_L._Green
http://EzineArticles.com/?Design-a-Successful-and-Memorable-Logo-For-Your-LMS-E-Learning-Courseware&id=2783034

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eLearning flash interactions, games, and PowerPoint backgrounds for your online courses.

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