Whether you regularly work on federally-funded eLearning projects, or whether you are focused on creating privately funded eLearning content, the challenge of making eLearning accessible is always front and center. In this article, we will look at some tips and tricks to make your courses 508 compliant. How To Ensure Your Courses Are 508 Compliant The following are some tricks and tips to ensure your eLearning courses are Section 508 compliant. Before you start creating your content, review the following areas of your course design: Keyboard For learners with certain disabilities, keyboards are their only means of navigating through the course. While the “Tab” key is often used as the primary navigation command, you should also explore the use of alternate shortcut keys – such as “Space bar”. Compliant Video Content Some course designers may shy away from using videos because of the 508 compliance issues. Consider adding text prompts, descriptions, subtext, and closed … [Read more...] about 508 Compliant ELearning: Tips and tricks
Low-Cost Gamification For Adult Learners
Gamification is the process of changing the dynamics of any activity by incorporating several game elements. This technique has gained popularity in various fields because of its effectiveness in increasing productivity, speed, and learning. The field of eLearning also tapped into the use of gamification to enhance the efficacy of eLearning courses and materials. However, not all companies have extra money to spend on gamification features, which can get very expensive. In this article, I will discuss some ways Instructional Designers can use low-cost gamification for their eLearning courses. 7 Tips On Low-Cost Gamification For Adult Learners Many people think that eLearning gamification means incorporating actual games in virtual courses. Although games do complete the gamification process, eLearning gamification isn’t limited to including actual games. In fact, gamification of any activity only needs to include the crucial game elements that actually target the skills discussed in … [Read more...] about Low-Cost Gamification For Adult Learners
Simulations And Games: How to Make ELearning Fun and Engaging
Regardless of our age, playing with simulators (e.g. stock market investment, driving or flight simulators) and games (Starcraft, Hearts of Iron, World of Warcraft) always puts us on the path to learning and experiencing new things. That is because if our objective is to “win” the game, then we need to explore and learn the “system” in order to beat it. That is exactly what Game-Based Learning (GBL) is all about. In this article, I will cover the types of game-based learning as well as the benefits of simulations and games. In addition, I will mention some of the tools that can be used to build eLearning games and simulations. Lastly, I will discuss how you can incorporate “gamification” into your eLearning content. Simulations And Games: Types Of Game-Based Learning Many different types of game-based learning have evolved over the years, each having a different audience and its own unique objective. Here are some alternate gaming styles to consider when designing game-based learning … [Read more...] about Simulations And Games: How to Make ELearning Fun and Engaging
Succession Planning: Keys To Successful Outcomes
Succession planning is a systematic effort by an organization or agency to ensure leadership continuity in critical positions. It is a proactive practice that helps to identify and develop leaders for key positions. In this article, we will briefly cover the succession planning process as well as some of the options for succession planning. We will also discuss transparency and the pros and cons of being transparent about your succession plan. Keys To Successful Succession Planning Britain’s Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) defines succession planning very succinctly as: “…the process of identifying and developing potential future leaders or senior managers, as well as individuals to fill other business-critical positions, either in the short- or the long-term.” It does not matter, therefore, which line of business you are in –government, education, health care, not-for-profit charity–, you need to plan for succession; because if you do not, … [Read more...] about Succession Planning: Keys To Successful Outcomes
Personalized eLearning: A Customized Approach To Accelerated eLearning
Today's world is far different than the one our parents and grandparents grew up and lived in. The age of "standardization" and "One-size-fits-all" no longer applies. Today, especially where technology is so ubiquitous in every aspect of our lives, "personalization" has become very important - be it in manufacturing, services or retail business. Personalization is needed to make a product or service more endearing to the target audience, and this is especially true for eLearning. As a result, the concept of Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) is becoming more relevant in today's academic world. What is Personalized ELearning? The concept of "Personalization" can easily be understood from taking a closer look at some of the existing digital technologies that all of us use. For instance, from the browser that you use to roam the Internet, to the email and messaging systems that you use to stay connected with friends and family, to the digital boxes you use to watch TV shows and movies … [Read more...] about Personalized eLearning: A Customized Approach To Accelerated eLearning
Can Experiential Learning Be Applied To eLearning?
Experiential learning is a process that allows learners to develop knowledge and skills from their own experience rather than from formal training courses. Experiential learning encompasses a variety of interactive and participative hands-on activities and is much more effective than traditional learning approaches. This article is the first in a series about Experiential Learning. Check it out and learn some of the critical elements of Experiential Learning and the reasons why Experiential Learning is important. What Is Experiential Learning? Way back in 350 BCE, a Greek philosopher, thinker, mathematician, astrologer, historian and analyst, wrote: "...for the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them." Even prior to that, the Chinese philosopher, Confucius, wrote: I hear and I forget I see and I remember I do, and I understand! Based on that, one might say that Confucius and Aristotle actually planted the seeds of Experiential … [Read more...] about Can Experiential Learning Be Applied To eLearning?