Working With SMEs

This just in from Laurel:

"Here's a quick article on working with SMEs from a variety of sources. I find the brief and varied suggestions helpful as, when it comes to working with and learning from people, there are a variety of different personalities and opinions that come into play; having different approaches to refer to helps build effective relationships."

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Here is a submission from Ilana, who states:

"It is important to remember about creating learning resources and trainings that are ADA friendly, and this link provides information on making ADA friendly PDFs and how to do it." 

Boosting Learner Engagement

Sunita submitted the following regarding learner engagement:

"Start with a strong WIIFM (What’s In It For Me).  A good WIIFM convinces learners that the course will equip them with the necessary skills and it's worth their time and attention.

However, a WIIFM alone isn't enough the content must keep them engaged too.

To maintain interest throughout the course, make your content:

1. Meaningful: Use examples and scenarios relevant to the learner's workplace or relatable experiences.
2. Personal: Clearly show the consequences of understanding or not understanding the topic. Write in a conversational tone, using active voice and simple terms.

Strategies for maintaining engagement include:

• Stunning Openers: Start with a powerful story, scenario, or question that captures attention.
• Decision-Making Scenarios: Present realistic, relatable challenges.
• Distinct Voice: Use a unique, engaging writing style rather than boring corporate speech.
• Visuals: Incorporate small visual cues to enhance understanding and engagement.

These methods help sustain the learner's interest and emotional involvement, making the course more impactful and memorable."

 

The Ideal Process Of Creating eLearning Content

Gaby offered up the following: 

"Learning is a process of doing and observing, which is carried out b the learner through their interaction with the content. This interaction between the learner and the content is what constitutes the learning process, and this is the main focus of this article."

Which Authoring Tool Should You Purchase?

Shannon just posted the following:

"Choosing the right authoring tool is crucial for effective eLearning content creation. Here are 5 key questions to guide instructional designers in selecting the best platform for their needs:

1. What is your budget for the authoring platform?
• Understanding your budget helps narrow down options and ensures you invest in a tool that offers the best value for your money.
2. What is the level of technical expertise required to use the platform?
• Consider whether the platform is user-friendly for beginners or if it requires advanced technical skills to fully utilize its features.
3. Is the platform compatible with your Learning Management System (LMS)?
• Compatibility with your LMS ensures seamless integration, easy content upload, and effective tracking of learner progress.
4. Is the platform scalable to meet future needs?
• Ensure the platform can grow with your organization, accommodating increased content creation demands as your needs evolve.
5. What types of assessments and quizzes can you create with the platform?
• Look for a tool that supports various assessment types, such as multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and simulations, to enhance learning and engagement.

By answering these questions, you'll be better equipped to choose an authoring tool that aligns with your instructional design goals and eLearning needs."

What IDs Can Learn from Product Managers

This just in from Pamela. She states,

"Early on in the introduction to Instructional Design course, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to complete the task of asking questions of stakeholders. I shouldn't have worried. Once I started, I really had a hard time finishing the list. Why? I am a trained product manager, and we ask questions for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and good PMs spend lots of time working out the ins and outs of every potential situation. 

Here is a short list of skills you might want to investigate from a product management perspective to help with your instructional design:

Personas: Focus on who you are talking to. I once taught a class where the target customer was farmers. The education level was typically low – yet when I analyzed their written material, it was written at a PhD level. Make sure you are addressing their needs at a level they can understand and understand deeply. Link here.

Journeys: Customer Journeys are a way of breaking down all the steps along the way for the target persona. At each step, you determine what they need to learn or do to progress to the next step. Link here. 

Problem: We are all trained from a young age to answer questions. We quickly pick up a solution or answer to a situation. However, what really makes a difference is a deep understanding of the problem. When approaching a problem, I often let myself sit with the problem for a while. Noodle on it, walk around the neighborhood. This helps you become more curious, and spawns more questions. Then, the eventual solution will become so much better. Link here."

Challenges of eLearning

 Tiffany contributed the following:

"I found this article interesting and helpful with tips on how to overcome the challenges of eLearning:"

Link here.