The purpose of this article is tо provide a brіеf іntrоduсtіоn to thе іѕѕuеѕ rеlаtеd to uѕіng material within online learning еnvіrоnmеntѕ. It іѕ bу nо mеаnѕ exhaustive аnd course designers are encouraged to seek аdvісе оn аnу соруrіght queries thеу mау have аѕ early аѕ роѕѕіblе. Whаt Iѕ ELearning Copyright? Copyright protects any ріесе of оrіgіnаl wоrk as soon as іt hаѕ been rесоrdеd еіthеr оn рареr, іn аn audio rесоrdіng, on fіlm, or еlесtrоnісаllу (іnсludіng on the Web). Cоруrіght exists tо аllоw creators tо control thе uѕе оf their wоrk. It аlѕо аllоwѕ thеm tо bеnеfіt fіnаnсіаllу frоm thеіr wоrk аnd еnаblеѕ them to аѕѕеrt thеіr moral rіghtѕ to be rесоgnіzеd аѕ thе author оf thеіr piece оf content. Hоw long copyright lаѕtѕ varies ассоrdіng tо the fоrmаt іn whісh a wоrk has been recorded. In most саѕеѕ, however, соруrіght will last fоr 70 years after thе death оf thе author/creator. How Does Copyright Apply to ELearning? Copyright applies tо all recorded … [Read more...] about Copyright in ELearning – How You Can Protect Your ELearning Work
Instructional Design for eLearning course
Which ELearning Content Can Be Reused -Understanding Reusable Learning Objects
Thanks to many rapid eLearning tools available on the market, instructional designers are able to save time and resources by reusing learning objects such as eLearning modules, videos, and documents. However, the main problem with Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) is that many training products are customized to address a very specific need, and become outdated relatively quickly. Developing a library of RLOs means designing content with sustainability in mind. Another term used for this type of content is “evergreen,” meaning that in a month, six months, or even a year, the content will still be relevant and applicable to learners. Evergreen content can eventually save a lot of time by not requiring extensive edits and updates. Consider the content you may use for training products currently on your shelf - what pieces of information are easy to recycle and require very little maintenance? Here are some examples: Stable: compliance laws, harassment awareness training, and … [Read more...] about Which ELearning Content Can Be Reused -Understanding Reusable Learning Objects
4 Proven Ways to Create Courses That Support Human Learning and Cognition
The human brain can do amazing things: It can learn new concepts, solve complex problems, and memorize and recall information and facts. How this complex structure works has been the subject of study for millennia. As an instructional designer, you can leverage your learners’ brain power to create more effective course content and design. Here are some tips and best practices that should help eLearning content designers create instructionally sound learning materials. Less is More: This design principle is heavily influenced by Hick’s Law, which, simply stated, guides designers to limit learners’ options as much as possible. The more bells and whistles you incorporate into the design, the less effective the course becomes. The Power of Stories: Emotion and memory come together in our brain. Neurobiology research cited in the Harvard Business Review shows that the human brain reacts more favorably to a well-crafted storyline than to drab facts and figures, or … [Read more...] about 4 Proven Ways to Create Courses That Support Human Learning and Cognition
Technical Training – How to Make Technical ELearning Stick!
Teaching technical concepts is not an easy task, and delivering technical information through eLearning is an additional hurdle to overcome. Online learners often tune out, click through text-heavy slides barely skimming information, and still get that satisfying “check the box” completion status on their assigned training - all without actually retaining a thing. The core challenge of creating technical training is to translate very dry, mundane information into a memorable and engaging experience. The information must also clearly explain the inflection points where the learner should choose one option over another. How can you make sure your training hits both of these marks? Working with the right Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will be central to your success. The learners will need context of where the technical information fits into their job, and this is where SMEs can help. Developing training that makes users relate to the technical information goes back to a cornerstone of … [Read more...] about Technical Training – How to Make Technical ELearning Stick!
3 Easy Ways to Create Effective ELearning Graphics
We all know that graphics can make our eLearning courses fun and engaging, but we also know that our graphics should be relevant to the content, and that we should avoid decorative graphics as much as possible. Designing effective graphic that really works is time and resource consuming, so in this post, I will cover 3 easy ways to create effective eLearning graphics. Crop existing stock photos – Using existing stock images can be a real time saver, but most of the stock images are simply boring. Furthermore, a lot of these images have been used and reused so many times that most of us are so tired of looking at them that we often ignore them to the point where these images become meaningless in the course. Luckily, there is an easy and quick fix for that. Consider cropping photos, so that you only leave the details that are truly pertinent to your message. You can easily crop stock photos using Photoshop, but if you don’t have that tool available to you, you can consider other … [Read more...] about 3 Easy Ways to Create Effective ELearning Graphics
How to Gamify ELearning Courses through Virtual Worlds
Instructional designers often search for ways to gamify their eLearning courses quickly and efficiently without hiring professional developers and graphic artists. We all know that gamification can get expensive! So, what can you do if your client wants to get an engaging product and, at the same time, does not want to pay a fortune? Luckily, there is a rapid solution that can make everyone happy. Virtual Worlds have been around for quite some time now and many designers have been successfully incorporating them in their eLearning lessons. With Virtual Worlds, the sky is the limit. There are many avatars and settings that you can choose from. All you have to do is choose a Virtual World you want, find the characters that best meet your needs, find settings and create your story around that setting. One of the best features of Virtual Worlds is that you can maneuver your camera very quickly to capture your characters at different angles. You can easily change and capture their … [Read more...] about How to Gamify ELearning Courses through Virtual Worlds