Why do people say, “You can’t judge a book by its cover?” We make snap decisions all the time and those decisions are based on the first impression, which metaphorically speaking, is the book cover. Books by Chip Heath and Dan Heath got me thinking about their high impact book covers and how important first impressions are to online training. Estimated reading time: 3 minutes For the uninitiated, Chip Heath[…]
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Fresh from DevLearn 2012: Mobile Learning
Fresh from DevLearn 2012: Mobile Learning Is there any elearning trend bigger than mobile learning? I don’t think so and it was a hot topic at DevLearn. As a nascent delivery platform, there are many questions about how to use mobile devices effectively. The ubiquity of mobile devices, and smartphones in particular, drives our interest in harnessing the learning potential of tools our target audience has with them throughout the[…]
READ MORE about Fresh from DevLearn 2012: Mobile LearningFresh from DevLearn 2012: Games and Learning
Gamification of training has recently been a big trend in the online learning world. Sessions at DevLearn 2012 made me think deeper about the difference between game-based training and training gamification. Designers who employ gaming and/or gamification strategies claim impressive results. Estimated reading time: 2 minutes In a facilitated discussion session on game-enabled learning and gamification, a number of participants shared their training experiences. We’ll start with clarification on the[…]
READ MORE about Fresh from DevLearn 2012: Games and LearningControversy over Objectives – How to Communicate Objectives to your Learners
We all know that objectives provide the foundation for training design and performance improvement. A challenge in the training industry is how to communicate this information to our target audience without creating a mind-numbingly dull introduction. Novices in the training world frequently think the only legitimate way to start a lesson is with the list of learning or performance objectives we used as the framework to design the training. My[…]
READ MORE about Controversy over Objectives – How to Communicate Objectives to your LearnersmLearnCon 2012 – BJ Fogg A Methodology for Designing Behavior Change
Dr. BJ Fogg, director of Stanford’s Persuasive Tech Lab, presented a compelling keynote at mLearnCon 2012 centered around a fascinating question: Can computers be designed to change people’s beliefs and behaviors? The Stanford Persuasive Technology Lab creates insight into how computing products—from websites to mobile phone software—can be designed to change what people believe and what they do. Unlike a lot of pop culture behavior gurus, Dr. Fogg takes a[…]
READ MORE about mLearnCon 2012 – BJ Fogg A Methodology for Designing Behavior ChangeElearning Book Review – The New Virtual Classroom by Ruth Colvin Clark and Ann Kwinn
The New Virtual Classroom is a terrific resource for designing and delivering effective webinar training. One of the biggest differences between this book and others is that it focuses primarily on strong instructional design strategy while many other resources tend to focus on more superficial “gimmicky” interactions. The authors remind us there is no need to start from scratch when designing training for the virtual classroom. Best practices are offered[…]
READ MORE about Elearning Book Review – The New Virtual Classroom by Ruth Colvin Clark and Ann KwinnTraining ROI: Use of Return on Investment for Training Programs
Return on Investment (ROI) is a metric commonly used in business and financial circles to compare competing investments. The use of Training ROI as a way to measure the return on training investment on training initiatives is growing in the training industry. Recently, the focus on Training ROI has become controversial; industry thought leader, Jane Bozarth recently said ROI is “evaluation by autopsy.” Leading Elearning blogger David Kelly states in[…]
READ MORE about Training ROI: Use of Return on Investment for Training ProgramsIsn’t It Always about Control?
Have you ever used an educational website and been blown away by how interesting and engaging it is? I encounter these types of sites when I’m pursuing informal learning. Part of the attractiveness in the learning is that it’s what interests me. Another factor is the site gives me control. These informal learning sites/tools shed insight on how powerful learning can be when we give learners control over what they[…]
READ MORE about Isn’t It Always about Control?Elements of Effective Elearning
Effective elearning leverages instructional strategies and technology to make new ideas understandable. E-learning can be especially effective for complex and abstract topics. Effective elearning does not take a face-to-face lecture and put it in a rapid elearning development tool with the expectation of delivering effective training at the other end. Giving the learner control, offering opportunities for practice, and integrating multiple media formats are a few methods for creating a rich[…]
READ MORE about Elements of Effective ElearningWhy You Can’t Ignore Mobile Learning
The number of all mobile devices accessing the Internet worldwide will surpass 1 billion by 2013. In addition, the number of users of mobile devices will double by the end of the year! The mobile Internet is ramping up exponentially faster than the desktop Internet did or will ever realize. This dramatic increase in adoption of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets has crystallized a collective focus on mobile[…]
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