Today, I want to talk about HTML5 and what it means for the eLearning developers. HTML5 is the latest standard for HTML. It is the combination of HTML, CSS3, and JavaScript. HTML5 was designed to deliver rich content without the need for downloading additional plugins such as Flash Player. HTML5 delivers animation, graphics, music, and movies, and can even be used to build complicated web applications. Additionally, thanks to HTML5, mobile devices will now be able to play content they weren’t able to play before. While HTML5 is designed to work on PCs, Tablets and Smartphones, many organizations have issues with it. The main problem is that these organizations do not update their web browsers and to have an HTML-based website accurately displayed in the browser, it is necessary to use the most recent version. Once the HTML5 came out, most eLearning development tools (Adobe Captivate7, Articulate Storyline, Lectora 11, and iSpring Suite, Articulate Studio ’13) have been updated to … [Read more...] about Why Instructional Designers Should Use HTML 5 In ELearning?
Instructional Design and ELearning
How To Make Your Mandatory Compliance Training More Exciting
All organizations at one point or another require their employees to take mandatory compliance training courses. However, the more I think about these mandatory courses, the more I come to believe that they do not achieve their desired goal, which is changing people’s behaviors and attitudes towards something. Furthermore, most compliance training takers consider these courses a burden as they take time out of their daily duties. As a result, not only do these mandatory courses not teach, but they also end up being a waste of the money for organizations. In addition, to ensuring ethical business practices in the organization and to complying with the law, mandatory training is responsible for ensuring a better workplace culture. Therefore, when instructional designers are tasked with the design and development of a mandatory training course, they should use all their creativity to ensure a successful outcome. How can compliance training be interesting and fun? To accomplish that, … [Read more...] about How To Make Your Mandatory Compliance Training More Exciting
To MOOC Or Not To MOOC?
In recent years, Massive Open Online Courses, also known as MOOC, have become popular. Let’s take a closer look at the MOOC education. First and foremost, MOOCs offer people an opportunity to take quality courses, further their education, and achieve goals without having to pay thousands of dollars. Since MOOCs can be taken openly by anyone who has internet access. They are mostly asynchronous. Most MOOCs are broken into 5 minute segments followed by multiple choice questions. Because many learners find this style boring to say the least, the average dropout rate is about 90 percent. While most MOOCs are not interactive in nature, truly motivated learners can obtain the needed skills, which allow them to move up the career ladder or get a step closer towards a higher-paying job. Some of the leading universities including Yale, MIT, and Harvard are now offering MOOCs in all areas ranging from Literature, Medicine, and Business, to Computer Science. While most of these MOOCs are … [Read more...] about To MOOC Or Not To MOOC?
Working with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Part II
In this post, we will continue talking about Subject Matter Experts. Effective communication plays a crucial role when dealing with SMEs. Just like everyone else, Subject Matter Experts have busy schedules. Sometimes, they are not even part of the team and have many other on-the-job responsibilities. Instructional Designers should ensure the SME’s time is not wasted with multiple meetings and meaningless questions. Prior to the meeting with the SME, some preparation work must be done. The goal is to get quality content, not to waste the SME’s time by asking rudimentary questions. Researching the topic before the meeting to become acquainted with basic concepts and terminology can help instructional designers achieve that goal. Meetings with SMEs will be much more productive if instructional designers inform them of the goals and objectives ahead of time. It is also helpful to prepare questions and send them electronically to the SME. Then, if there are additional questions or … [Read more...] about Working with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Part II
Working with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Part I
Sooner or later all instructional designers end up working with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Since most instructional designers are not familiar with the subject area for the eLearning course they are creating, the client is typically responsible for selecting the SMEs. During the project-planning phase, project managers should provide a description of what is expected from the SME in terms of expertise and experience. The project manager should also describe in detail the SME’s responsibilities, including expected meetings and document reviews. In the project plan, the project manager should document the risks associated with having an SME that does not meet the described requirements. Subject Matter Experts should be aware of all the expectations. The role of an instructional designer is to design courses while the role of an SME is to provide expertise in a subject area. SMEs should not be expected to arrange content in order. Often, SMEs provide either too much or too little … [Read more...] about Working with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Part I
How To Script Your ELearning Courses
In this post, I want to talk about scriptwriting. Scripts are written to be heard, not read. Therefore, the writing style should be conversational. To add a conversational tone to the script, consider using contractions (e.g., isn’t instead of is not) and pronouns to make your eLearning content more personal (e.g., you instead of learner). If, in the script, you use word combinations that are difficult to pronounce together, the talent may have a hard time reading them, and learners may have problems understanding what they hear. One way to avoid tongue twisters is to re-read the script multiple times and make relevant changes to wording and grammar. ELearning courses should address multiple learning styles and meet accessibility requirements. When your learners hear the audio recording, they should be able to tell when the topic is changing. To achieve this goal, instructional designers should check their script for appropriate transitions. Another good practice for scriptwriting … [Read more...] about How To Script Your ELearning Courses