Since its inception, back in the 1990s, eLearning has changed the shape of how we teach and learn. Not only has it become one of the most embraced learning modalities; but it has also increased learning engagement, improved knowledge retention and transference, and enhanced L&D team effectiveness. However, eLearning, as a stand-alone learning intervention, isn’t ideal for all learning needs. Often, a blend of learning approaches, together with eLearning, is a more effective learning solution. What is Blended Learning Often, you’ll hear the terms “blended learning” and “hybrid learning” used interchangeably. While this substituted use is “technically” understandable, there is a difference – they are different (though somewhat similar) learning modalities. Hybrid learning allows learners to attend their courses in person, while also enabling them to learn remotely via eLearning. So, if a learner does not wish to participate in today’s lecture in person, he/she may stay at home, … [Read more...] about Blended learning methods: Combining eLearning with other approaches
The ELearning Course Designer’s Blog
Top 11 eLearning Trends To Be On the Lookout For In 2023
The eLearning market has grown exponentially over the last few years. Many new skills emerged over time and many companies realized the importance of providing quality training to employees. With new technologies, companies are looking for ways to improve and modernize their training courses. Let’s look at the top 11 promising eLearning trends in 2023. 1. Hybrid Training and Blended Learning Blended learning is a hybrid approach to training, where on-demand learning and instructor-led teaching are fused together into a coherent and unified training strategy. Using the blended model requires a fine balance between traditional instructor-led teaching, autonomous self-study, and eLearning. There are many benefits to using this fusion of teaching approaches, the most important of which is that it adds flexibility to corporate training. However, blended learning only works if organizations get the mix of the “blend” right. Relying too heavily on online, self-study content could … [Read more...] about Top 11 eLearning Trends To Be On the Lookout For In 2023
7 Tips to Start Your ELearning Freelance Business
In recent years, the eLearning market went through some major changes that led to making it more approachable, affordable, and easier for more people. Many instructional designers and eLearning professionals worldwide are now thinking of expanding their services in the freelance arena by creating a side hustle or starting their own business. If you belong to that category yourself, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll look at seven steps to starting and growing a successful freelance business. How can you start freelancing as an instructional designer or eLearning professional? First, as it happens with every freelancer, the most important thing you should bear in mind is that you are on your own. Regardless of whether you are making your move with a side hustle or creating your own freelancing business, one thing is for sure: you will be your creative team, your sales, and marketing team, your accounting team, and your PR team. In a nutshell, working as a … [Read more...] about 7 Tips to Start Your ELearning Freelance Business
A Complete Guide to Nano Learning: What it is, when, and how it’s used – and more
When learners initially immerse themselves in lengthy, 25 to 30-minute (or longer!), learning experiences, it’s unsurprising that significant chunks of the knowledge won’t “sink in”. That’s how our brain works – it absorbs only part of the information provided at first, especially if the content is new to the learner. That’s where Nano learning helps. Because it comprises of small, highly focused, chunked-down learning content, learners retain more of what they’re exposed to compared to traditional eLearning content. Profile of a Nano “Module” Because they are self-contained learning content (“modules”) in and by themselves, Nano learning typically embodies all the characteristics of their lengthier peers. In fact, Nano learning achieves what longer-formatted content seeks to accomplish – but in many compressed durations. The following main characteristics profile Nano learning: To be clear, readers mustn’t construe these characteristics of Nano learning as painting a … [Read more...] about A Complete Guide to Nano Learning: What it is, when, and how it’s used – and more
Evidence-based Tactics that Promote Deeper Learning and Application
As eLearning developers and Instructional Design (ID) professionals, we’re constantly looking for the most effective way to deliver our targeted learning objectives. Well, nothing beats the use of an evidence-supported approach to further deeper knowledge transference, and to assure the application of that learning in the workplace. In this post, we’ll talk about some of the strategies and tactics to promote deeper learning, through practice and feedback. How Deep Learning Works When employees undertake further learning, it is typically to build new skills or enhance proficiency in existing ones. So, how does learning happen? Well, it happens as a process: Employees undergo trainingThey rehearse what they’ve learned during exercises, tests, and assessmentsThey’re often not perfect! Trainers evaluate how they’ve performed, and instruct them on required actions or behavioral changes They incorporate those modifications when applying the newly-learned task/skill in the … [Read more...] about Evidence-based Tactics that Promote Deeper Learning and Application
How To Write Better Test Questions to Assess Learning: Evidence-Informed Tactics for Test Questions
Is the fact that a learner completes a prescribed set of training, sufficient evidence that they’ve accomplished what the course set out to teach them? In most instances, the answer to that question is: No, it is not! When designing test questions that demonstrate achieving “real” learning outcomes, L&D professionals must use evidence-informed tactics for question construction. They must also consider the context in which they’re administering the test, what evidence they need from their students to prove that they understood the material and if they can substantively demonstrate that understanding. Use Evidence-based Tactics to Contextualize Your Questions There has been considerable research to understand the impact of question construction and its implication on how learners respond to them. The adaptation of Response Modelling (RM) techniques, and Item Response Theory (IRT) to academia, has produced a vast body of statistical evidence for helping test question preparers … [Read more...] about How To Write Better Test Questions to Assess Learning: Evidence-Informed Tactics for Test Questions
