ELearning professionals constantly look for ways to increase their knowledge about instructional design and eLearning topics. Below are some resources that, I think, should be added to the library of any learning and performance professional. ELearning and the Science of Instruction. Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning. by Ruth C. Clark and Richard E. Mayer 3rd edition Design For How People Learn (Voices That Matter) by Julie Dirksen e-Learning by Design by William Horton E-Learning Uncovered: From Concept to Execution by Desiree Ward and Diane Elkins ISD From the Ground Up: A No-Nonsense Approach to Instructional Design by Chuck Hodell, 3rd Edition Visual Language for Designers: Principles for Creating Graphics that People Understand by Connie Malamed Graphics for Learning: Proven Guidelines for Planning, Designing, and Evaluating Visuals in Training Materials by Ruth C. Clark and Chopeta Lyons Evidence-based ELearning by Ruth C. … [Read more...] about 9 Books That Every ELearning Professional Must Read
The ELearning Course Designer’s Blog
4 Most Popular Instructional Design And ELearning Models
While there are as many instructional design theories and models, top instructional designers do not adhere to any one of them, but instead choose the model that best suits the specifics of a course’s audience and content. In this post, I will briefly cover some of the most popular models that instructional designers use. ADDIE ADDIE is the classic model. ADDIE stands for Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. In the Analysis phase, instructional designers clarify problems, define goals and objectives, and collect necessary data. In the Design phase, they write objectives, and create the structure and sequencing of the course. At the end of this phase, they will have a blueprint for the course and its delivery methods. In the Development phase, instructional designers bring their design to life by assembling all the course elements into a compelling eLearning module. Just like the name suggest, in the Implementation phase, the course is delivered to its … [Read more...] about 4 Most Popular Instructional Design And ELearning Models
Kirkpatrick’s Levels Of Evaluation- Why We Should Evaluate?
According to Donald Kirkpatrick, there are four levels of evaluation: Reaction, Learning, Behavior, and Results. If measured correctly, all of these levels should help organization reach the desired outcomes. The problem, however, is that most instructional designers only evaluate the first two levels and avoid the most important ones - behavior and results. The reason these two levels are so important is because in reality training, even the best kind, does not have any value if the business goal has not been achieved. Measuring learners’ reaction to the training is easy. You can do this by putting together a short survey asking questions about learners’ thoughts on the course. The problem is that most learners do not take time to go through each question and provide sincere answers to each one. While there is no best way to eliminate this problem completely, you can try asking more open-ended as opposed to multiple-choice questions. This approach will force learners to read and … [Read more...] about Kirkpatrick’s Levels Of Evaluation- Why We Should Evaluate?
What Are The Advantages Of Synchronous And Asynchronous ELearning That Most Clients Don’t Know
Today, I want to talk about synchronous vs. asynchronous eLearning. Most clients who request eLearning courses are unaware of these two options. Furthermore, most of the time, they seem to think that asynchronous is the way to go. However, this is not always true. Before deciding on the delivery method, instructional designers should look at the advantages and disadvantages of both options. Asynchronous eLearning allows people to take courses at any place at their own time and pace. Synchronous eLearning, on the other hand, requires an instructor and occurs in real time. In other words, synchronous eLearning is similar to a regular classroom experience except learners can take courses at any place, assuming a computer and Internet connection are available. When it comes to learners’ preferences, the best delivery method often depends on their learning styles. Younger generations tend to enjoy asynchronous courses better because they are so used to all the “clicking” on … [Read more...] about What Are The Advantages Of Synchronous And Asynchronous ELearning That Most Clients Don’t Know
What Is The Real Value Of Instructional Design?
You will be surprised how many people do not know what instructional design is. And even those who do often underestimate its value. If I ask you why we need instructionally sound training courses, you will probably respond by saying that training helps people acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform their jobs. However, the true reason for training goes beyond that. A person can certainly acquire new knowledge and skills by reading a book on the topic or spending a day or two doing Internet search, gathering data, and acquainting his or herself with the content. Nowadays, people can learn almost anything without ever leaving their houses. They can download books, print articles, take free courses, and even watch videos completely free of charge. Informal learning is becoming a popular training solution for many organizations because it is cheap, can be done in people’s free time, and does not require many resources. Managers often assume their employees … [Read more...] about What Is The Real Value Of Instructional Design?
Why Professional Instructional Design Services Are Your Best Bet?
Building an instructional program for a course or training session requires a lot of effort. It takes time, consideration and a thorough understanding of what motivates people to learn and retain information. There are many individuals and companies that honestly believe that they are capable of creating their own instructional design products. While it is possible to do so, are these do-it-yourself instructional design courses really effective? Companies may know what they want to include in their training and e-learning products, but this does not mean they have the necessary expertise to create their own course materials. It is highly recommended that companies utilize professional instructional design services to ensure that they have an effective end product. Why Do-It-Yourself Instructional Design Doesn’t Work Just because a company knows what is needed for a training or an e-learning course does not mean they are able to create, build and execute this information on … [Read more...] about Why Professional Instructional Design Services Are Your Best Bet?