In a prior post, we reviewed iSpring Suite Max, a powerful eLearning authoring tool with amazing features. That post gave instructional designers and course developers a high-level preview of the features and capabilities of the product. But such a review doesn’t capture all the nuances that specific features and functionality offer Instructional Design (ID) specialists. In this post, we’ll do a deep-dive on two amazing features that are a must-know for anyone using this suite of eLearning authoring tools: Custom Characters and Portfolios. The Power of Custom Characters If you are an instructional designer or an eLearning course builder, you know how important it is to create courses that are visually appealing, engaging, and interactive. One of the ways to achieve this is to use custom characters in your courses. Characters can help you illustrate scenarios, tell stories, convey emotions, and add personality to your content. But how do you tap the right characters for your … [Read more...] about iSpring Suite: How to leverage powerful features like Custom Characters & Portfolios
eLearning Authoring Tools
Ten Rules for Writing Effective Test Questions
As an instructional designer, you’ll frequently have the task of assessing whether your courses have met their instructional objectives. Typically, trainers consider several parameters to judge the outcome of a course – course completion, engagement, interaction with fellow learners, assignment quality and timeliness, etc. However, a learners’ performance on tests is often an important benchmark for determining course effectiveness. How trainers and course designers develop those test questions is, therefore, critical. Testing a Broad Spectrum of Intellectual Accomplishments The key to writing effective test questions is in developing them so they assess a broad spectrum of intellectual understanding of the course content. It is important to test all six levels of that understanding, as espoused by Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis, and Evaluation …with knowledge being the lowest level of understanding, and evaluation … [Read more...] about Ten Rules for Writing Effective Test Questions
iSpring Suite Max Review
At Your ELearning World, we are always looking for great solutions and easy to use eLearning authoring tools. When I learned about iSpring Suite Max, I knew I had to give it a try. Here’s an account of what I learned. Hopefully, some of you who are looking for an eLearning course authoring and publishing solution will find this information insightful. What’s It About? iSpring Suite Max is a collection of eLearning course authoring tools that allows you to design content through collaborative teamwork. With the Suite of tools available to them, design teams create e-courses that include videos, dialogue simulations, interactive quizzes and assessments, and a whole lot more. One distinctive feature of the product suite is a remarkably short learning curve. Thanks to the intuitive navigation and well-laid-out design, I was able to get productive, using my demo/trial subscription, within a short period of time. What’s Included? iSpring Suite Max is a 3-in-one solution … [Read more...] about iSpring Suite Max Review
4 Proven Secrets for Writing Highly Effective ELearning Courses
As eLearning course writers, many of us may think we have a “routine” to create highly effective courses down pat. However, over time, we tend to take some of the basics of efficient course writing for granted. In due course, we may even prefer short-cuts, like diving directly into Storyboarding - instead of doing some analysis and planning upfront. Here are four proven secrets (more like best practices, actually!) for writing highly effective eLearning courses. Newcomers to the field will especially benefit from these tips because not only will they aid in producing engaging content, but will also bring efficiency into the course writing process: Secret#1 - Storyboarding: Your course blueprint Storyboards are critical elements of the design process for the eLearning project. They form the building blocks over which instructional designers create the detailed structure of the course. So, why use templates? Because they…: simplify the process of course design add an element of … [Read more...] about 4 Proven Secrets for Writing Highly Effective ELearning Courses
Big Data In ELearning: Relevance, importance, and opportunities
ELearning has experienced a lot of momentum, largely as a result of a number of technological breakthroughs. Newer eLearning authoring tools have been developed, and more sophisticated Learning Management Systems (LMSs) have been deployed. eLearning course developers are also using new multimedia approaches for course delivery, as well as leveraging social media platforms and other online forums to disseminate information about eLearning, as well as to deliver the courses themselves. All of that results in a lot of data! In this article, we will talk about using Big Data in eLearning. Relevance, Importance, And Opportunities: Using Big Data In eLearning Specifically, in this article, we will discuss the role of Big Data in eLearning, the benefits of Big Data for eLearning professionals, and how Big Data impacts the future of eLearning. We will also look at ways to effectively manage and analyze Big Data. Big Data: What Is It? In today’s digital age, almost every interaction we have … [Read more...] about Big Data In ELearning: Relevance, importance, and opportunities
How to Tell If You Need to Start Looking for a New ELearning Authoring Tool
Many eLearning content developers have grown into their current state through evolution. You initially started by using stand-alone tools, such as Microsoft PowerPoint or other slide presentation tools to create your training courses. Then, you may have acquired other “add-on” tools and apps to enhance your authoring capabilities. At some point, the law of diminishing returns takes over: The more tools you add on, the less productive your team gets! Sadly though, sometimes it’s hard to notice that your existing eLearning authoring tools aren’t working for you. Signs that tell you that new tools are overdue You and your team have been using your existing eLearning authoring tools for several years now. Your team might feel very comfortable with the features and functionality they provide. And, because many of your authors and developers have become “experts” in using those tools, there might be a general feeling that there’s no need to change. And there lies the … [Read more...] about How to Tell If You Need to Start Looking for a New ELearning Authoring Tool
