Freelance instructional designers are often faced with the challenge of pricing their services effectively. While it may be tempting to undercharge to attract clients, this can lead to burnout, dissatisfaction, and ultimately, a lack of sustainability in your business. On the other hand, overcharging may result in difficulty attracting clients, creating tension with existing clients, and ultimately, limiting the growth of your business. Pricing your services correctly is a crucial part of building a successful freelance instructional design business. It involves not only determining your worth as a designer but also taking into account market trends, industry standards, and client expectations. Ultimately, the goal is to strike a balance between fair compensation for your work and reasonable prices for your clients. In this article, we will explore some effective strategies for pricing your services as a freelance instructional designer. We will delve into the various factors … [Read more...] about How to Price Your Services as a Freelance Instructional Designer
eLearning
Careers in Instructional Design: Tips for newbies and those transitioning into the field to land that first job
Breaking into a new field of work is always challenging. However, both aspiring newbies and veterans of other fields, looking to transition into the instructional design (ID) must use slightly different approaches to land their first job in their chosen profession. In this post, we’ll cover some of the prerequisites for newbies entering the ID, or those making the transition from other roles, and share some tips on how to make getting that first gig easier. Preparing for a Career in Instructional Design Start exploring your potential as an Instructional Designer early, ideally when you’re about to graduate from high school. While there are various paths to entering the field, many ID professionals start formal education with either a diploma, bachelor’s, or master’s-level studies. Alternatively, you may already have some technical skills or certifications as part of your schooling. You could leverage those credentials and opt for specific tech-based specialization – such as … [Read more...] about Careers in Instructional Design: Tips for newbies and those transitioning into the field to land that first job
Blended learning methods: Combining eLearning with other approaches
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
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
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