While there are various ways of consuming online content, video-based learning has proved to be the most effective in driving learner engagement. eLearning videos are now forming a critical part of many eLearning courses. To an extent, they threaten the traditional learning system—but for a good reason. However, ELearning and instructional designers must exercise extra care when creating videos. The videos should offer learners convenience and the freedom to learn from anywhere. They should also be easy to scroll or pause and repeatedly forward to fully understand the content. Video-based learning has simplified the teaching/learning process regarding accessibility and comprehension of various subjects. However, creating powerful and effective videos is a pretty demanding process. Yet, it's what is required of ELearning designers. Let's take a deeper dive into how you can include various elements to create effective and captivating ELearning videos for your courses: Tip #1 Branching … [Read more...] about 4 Tips for Creating Video-based Learning
Gamification and Interactivity
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
5 Unique Ways to Supercharge Your ELearning Courses
Learners today have so many competing priorities, that it makes the task of instructional designers even more challenging. Not only do course designers need to ensure they have top-quality content to share with their learners, but they must do everything possible to make sure that content is appropriately received and “consumed”. Here are five unique ways that you can adopt to supercharge your eLearning courses. Breakaway from text Although we all learn differently, pictorial mnemonic-based training is a far more effective way to foster learning than traditional text-based approaches. That’s because our brains are hard-wired for (biased towards!) learning through pictures and images. One of the points that illustrates this was made by 40-year veteran author, educator, and corporate trainer Sharon L. Brown in her powerful book Using Brain Science to Make Training Stick. Brown makes the point that “Images trump words!”. By using pictures and images in your eLearning … [Read more...] about 5 Unique Ways to Supercharge Your ELearning Courses
How to Design eLearning Games that Drive Results?
While eLearning is an effective teaching method, lack of interaction is one of the biggest challenges that instructional designers face when developing online courses. This is where gamification comes into play. Gamification adds fun to eLearning modules while also helping learners absorb the material. Here are some tips that many eLearning professionals find useful when adding gaming elements to their courses. Apply realism to your games In the UK, the award-winning eLearning developer, Kineo, developed a realistic and fun game for teaching McDonalds’ trainees how to improve their customer service. The Till Training Game is set in a virtual restaurant. It has appealing stories and characters that stimulate emotional engagement. The “customers” behave as if they were real people. The trainees are being timed during exercises and are encouraged to continue practicing until they completely satisfy the customers. Story-driven games must have branching … [Read more...] about How to Design eLearning Games that Drive Results?
5 Suggestions on Creating Educational Simulations Quickly and Effectively
There are many ways to create educational simulations that are both engaging and result-oriented. However, developing these simulations can be very expensive and resource consuming. Therefore, instructional designers should strategically analyze all goals and objectives prior to getting involved in the design process. Here are five suggestions on how you can create educational simulations quickly and effectively. Introductions Matter: Rather than separate the introduction and the main body of the simulation, effective simulation models integrate them into the core content, allowing students to quickly delve into the intros, and then, get to the substance of the game. By doing so, instructional designers familiarize their students with the look-and-feel, and overall mechanics (background, themes, navigation, feedback/messaging) of the simulation early on, thereby shortening the learning curve. Pay Attention to Learning Objectives and Outcomes: When designers … [Read more...] about 5 Suggestions on Creating Educational Simulations Quickly and Effectively
