The Learning eXplosion , by Matthew Murdoch and Treion Muller, is a great read that steps you through how to successfully move your classroom instructor-led training into the virtual classroom. The book specifically focuses on 9 Rules for Creating Effective Virtual Training: 1. The Rule of Continual Change – Learners and designers must always be [...]
We thought it would be nice to start the New Year by sharing with you a sample PowerPoint Template…for FREE. That’s right, click the link below to go to our eLearning Templates website and download this free template. Free PowerPoint Template
I recently read a great blog post by Articulates Tom Kuhlmann, titled Here’s Why Slide Count is Irrelevant to Your E-Learning Course . In the post he mentions the following key points: – Screen count does not matter to the elearner…what matters, is the interaction built into the course. – Do not auto-advance the slides [...]
Who would have thought that simply writing an eLearning course would require the instructional designer to have so many different writing skills? As an instructional designer our writing has to motivate the learner, as well as, instruct them on correct processes, policies, techniques, etc. In the eLearning Coach’s article 10 Types of Writing for eLearning [...]
A key point in instructional design is to “know your audience”. One of the reasons to do this is because you can tailor the content to the learner’s existing knowledge level. Connie at the eLearning Coach has done a great series of posts on how to design course content for experts vs. beginners. Tips when [...]
“In the beginning there was a blank slide. All eLearning designers dreamed of the endless possibilities. Wondrous content could spring into life. However, something went wrong… Bullet points sprang up like weeds. Clip art infiltrated the blank space. Bad color schemes and ugly fonts polluted the slide. The dream of engaging, [...]
I don’t remember how I came across this Google book preview but it has been an interesting read. eLearning and the Science of Instruction (Ruth Colvin Clark, Richard E. Mayer) Chapter 8 of the book has some great points that I’d like to share, “Applying the Personalization Principle” (page 160). Ways to Personalize eLearning 1. [...]
I’ve often thought that our eLearning courses are like one big presentation. We’re trying to share information but we’re also trying to capture attention. We can’t have our course just “stand there” and use a monotone voice to try and teach. We must engage, motivate, capture, and excite. Last week at Learning Solutions I ran [...]
Color impacts your courses and your learners. Choosing the “correct” colors can hinder or increase the speed of learning and retention. Colors can affect mood, have different meanings in various cultures, and bring immediate things to our minds. Here is a quick summary of each color’s psychological effect. Red is a stimulant and can evoke [...]
Ok…the title is a bit harsh. I don’t think that we should completely stop using narration in our courses. Let me give you an example of a course that drives me nuts: Imagine going through a course with a bunch of text and some pretty pictures. Now imagine that there is a nice calm voice [...]
eLearning can be exciting, challenging, and effective! Making a great course starts with great instructional design. Do these statements seem familiar? I want to create courses that learners want to use. I need great ideas for my next course. I wish I could replace boring content with fresh, challenging, and realistic activities? The other day [...]
Are your courses stinky? Do you have boring PowerPoints? Try some “eLearning Deodorant” to stop the stink! It doesn’t need to take a lot of time and money to create better courses. It just takes a bit of inspiration…not perspiration. Here are some quick and easy tips to make your content pages more interesting. You [...]
There are lots of courses out there that are basically next…next…next…next. Cathy Moore did a post awhile back about how to make linear courses more interesting. Her basic idea is that you must MAKE them WANT to click the next button. Quick and easy tips: – Use incomplete thoughts (entice them to click next) – [...]
