Association eLearning

JANUARY 4, 2018

The new buzzword in learning and development is microlearning. Microlearning is a way of teaching and delivering content to learners in small, bite-sized chunks. It makes sense that shorter courses are gaining popularity. People are busy, attention spans are smaller than ever, and there are meetings to attend and emails to respond to. No one has time for an all-day course anymore covering so much material they forget half of it as soon as they log off.

microlearning 100

microlearning Cognitive Poll Teach 100

Association eLearning

JANUARY 11, 2018

Merriam-Webster ’s online dictionary defines “interactive” as, “involving the actions or input of a user.” When you stop to think about it, that’s not very clear. So, is eLearning with nothing but a next button interactive? The learner clicks something. Is a choose your own adventure book interactive? The reader picks which page to turn to. Let’s dive into this.

Interactive 100

Interactive Case Study Summary Games 100

Association eLearning

JANUARY 18, 2018

Every year around this time, we discuss the eLearning trends for the year. What’s hot? What’s not? What are we all going to be talking about? THESE ARE THE ELEARNING TRENDS FOR 2018. VR/AR. While VR and AR have been talked about in recent years, we think the excitement will grow. As costs have come down, and the technology has improved, the old problems have been going away.

Trends 100

Trends xapi Corporate eLearning eLearning 100

Association eLearning

MARCH 1, 2018

Although gamification and game-based learning have been around for a few years, only recently are training departments beginning to take these learning and engagement methods seriously. However, convincing the CEO that gamification works is a tougher challenge. The perception that playing games isn’t really training still lingers in the minds of the c-suite.

Gamification 245

Gamification Simulations Corporate eLearning Brandon Hall 245

Association eLearning

FEBRUARY 14, 2018

There are lots of eLearning authoring tools out there. And you probably don’t have the money or time to work with all of them. Here’s a quick look at the most popular eLearning authoring tool types. See which one, or ones, might be a good fit for your organization. eLearning Authoring Tool: PowerPoint. Use if : You don’t have access to anything else.

eLearning Tools 200

eLearning Tools Comparison Authoring Tools 200

Association eLearning

JANUARY 31, 2018

What version of SCORM are you using? Is the LMS SCORM conformant? xAPI might be replacing SCORM in the future. You hear about it in eLearning all the time, but what is it? Other than giving a definition we’ve never really discussed it here. So, let’s change that. How SCORM is Like a DVD. At its most basic, SCORM is like a DVD. DVDs store and play movies.

SCORM 174

SCORM Player Movie Version 174

Association eLearning

JANUARY 17, 2018

Last year I wrote a post about how to make a personal progress tracker. I’ve made some changes to my own progress tracker since then and thought I’d share them. After a few months using the old way I started to get frustrated with it. My progress tracker made it look like I had a lot of lazy weeks. But I knew that I’d been doing other important things that weren’t on my progress tracker.

Personal 182

Personal Personalization Write Blog Version 182

Association eLearning

DECEMBER 20, 2017

Merriam-Webster ’s online dictionary defines “interactive” as, “involving the actions or input of a user.” When you stop to think about it, that’s not very clear. So, is eLearning with nothing but a next button interactive? The learner clicks something. Is a choose your own adventure book interactive? The reader picks which page to turn to. Let’s dive into this.

Interactive 189

Interactive Case Study Instructional Design Summary 189

Association eLearning

DECEMBER 27, 2017

What a year it’s been! At Digitec Interactive we’ve been busy forming new partnerships, enhancing our technology, creating new solutions, and winning awards. We’re excited to see what the new year will bring. What new technologies will emerge in eLearning? Will new trends will be important to association leaders? How can we make our products and services even better?

Association Learning Management System 200

Association Learning Management System LMS Association LMS Simulations 200

Association eLearning

JANUARY 3, 2018

I was in Girl Scouts when I was younger. And I have clear memories of the merit badge book. Each badge required me to do something different to earn it. Looking back, that book offered a lot of choices. I could pick which badge I wanted to work on and choose the activities that sounded best to me. Then I remembered that many organizations don’t offer their learners that choice.

Learning Objects 196

Learning Objects Version Customer Service Learning Objectives 196

Association eLearning

DECEMBER 22, 2017

The speed and convenience of e-commerce has raised consumer expectations. When it comes to postal and express services, it’s no different. Nowadays, it is common for people to order what they need through online stores and receive the ordered goods in their homes or offices. However, a simple standard delivery is not enough anymore. They want to have the flexibility to select delivery times and collection points as well as customized options.

Agile 100

Agile Player Portfolio Services 100

Association eLearning

DECEMBER 13, 2017

Every year around this time, we discuss the eLearning trends for the next year. What’s hot? What’s not? What are we all going to be talking about next year? These are the eLearning trends for 2018. VR/AR. While VR and AR have been talked about in recent years, we think the excitement will grow. As costs have come down, and the technology has improved, the old problems have been going away.

Trends 234

Trends xapi eLearning microlearning 234

Association eLearning

DECEMBER 6, 2017

A subject matter expert (SME) gives you hundreds of pages on a subject you know nothing about. So, how do you handle such a daunting task? Well, there are a few methods you can add to your design routine to aid you in creating an optimal course. First, you need to learn about the course material. Learning About the Course Material. Read up about the organization you are creating the course for.

Course 168

Course Storyboard Slides Music 168

Association eLearning

NOVEMBER 8, 2017

Last year, the Learning Escape Room was one of the most popular features of the Masie Center’s Learning 2016 conference. It was my first experience with an escape room and I was delighted to hear that it was coming back for Learning 2017. What Changed. In 2016, a large group of conference attendees designed one escape room. They were broken into smaller teams, with each team designing one of the room’s puzzle chains.

Learning Objects 178

Learning Objects Masie Conference Exercise 178

Association eLearning

NOVEMBER 1, 2017

I recently got back from the Learning 2017 conference. Like last year, I want to share some of what I learned and experienced. The sessions and events I attended were quite different this time, so they’ve provided a different set of insights. In no particular order: Development Must be Continuous. Whether you’re talking about your personal development, a learner’s development, or your organization’s development it needs to be ongoing to be effective.

Metrics 189

Metrics Conference Masie IBM 189

Association eLearning

OCTOBER 25, 2017

In honor of Halloween, I wanted to discuss a scary scenario. When the education department at your organization is you, it’s easy to let old content linger beyond its welcome. When you discover that your training materials or courses need upgrading, it can seem like you must start from scratch. But with what time and resources? The horror! Before you lay that old content to rest, consider sprucing it up a bit first.

Content 199

Content Stock Upgrade microlearning 199

Association eLearning

OCTOBER 18, 2017

eLearning started out small in the 1970s, as a tool for medical training. Now eLearning is used across a variety of professions. I wonder what it will become in the future. With most of these ideas, I imagine either augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) being used. Let’s take a look at some suggestions for innovative new ways to integrate eLearning into our lives.

Augmented Reality 200

Augmented Reality eLearning Virtual World eLearning Tools 200

Association eLearning

OCTOBER 11, 2017

The new buzzword in learning and development is microlearning. Microlearning is a way of teaching and delivering content to learners in small, bite-sized chunks. It makes sense that shorter courses are gaining popularity. People are busy, attention spans are smaller than ever, and there are meetings to attend and emails to respond to. No one has time for an all-day course anymore covering so much material they forget half of it as soon as they log off.

microlearning 200

microlearning Cognitive Poll Teach 200

Association eLearning

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Let’s try something a bit different today, for a change of pace. I usually write a blog post, you skim or read it, maybe share it, and we move on. How about something a bit more engaging? Something that will literally make you think. It’s time for eLearning Trivia! What does “eLearning” stand for? a)Effective learning. b)Electronic learning. c)Everywhere learning. d)Estimated learning.

Cognitive 203

Cognitive eLearning SCORM AICC 203

Association eLearning

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

Apparently, Learning and Development (L&D) doesn’t require air to survive. I say this because it’s frequently handled in a vacuum, away from everything it’s supposed to be connected to. It’s often brought in at the last minute as well. And yet there are still L&D departments and vendors. Pushing courses out is one thing, having an effective learning and performance ecosystem is another matter entirely.

Performance Support 200

Performance Support Performance eLearning Guild Social Networks 200

Association eLearning

SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

Now that I have your attention, I need to tell you something. Something the LMS industry doesn’t want you to know. The only features you must have are the ones that solve your specific problems and actually meet your needs. That’s right, it’s actually all about who can provide solutions, not just features. It’s about who understands your needs, not who has an LMS that is going to adopt kittens in 5 years when it becomes sentient.

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LMS Problem Gamification Integrate 203

Association eLearning

AUGUST 30, 2017

Once upon a time not so very long ago, an organization rolled out their latest style guide. It had their color palette, the guidelines for using their logo, the standards for images, and more. In short, all the usual elements of a style guide. Then the organization started hiring contractors to update their existing eLearning courses, so they’d match the new guidelines.

Guide 214

Guide Guidelines eLearning xapi 214

Association eLearning

AUGUST 23, 2017

Back in my high school Spanish class I struggled to learn a new verb form. It didn’t fit into the neat little list of “I,” “you,” “he,” “she,” “we,” and “they.” I had no clue what to do with it. Then someone informed me, “It’s basically ‘y’all.’ You use it when talking to several people at the same time.” Of course! It suddenly made sense. Using analogies as explanations can be a very helpful tactic, as long as you have the right analogy.

Comparison 205

Comparison Beginner Sound Instructional Design 205

Association eLearning

AUGUST 16, 2017

As the LMS industry evolves to meet the needs of newer generations of learners, organizations are having to answer the age-old question “What’s in it for me (WIIFM)?” Learners need more motivation than simply taking courses because they are told to, they need a reason. They want to know WIIFM? Enter customization in the form of learning paths or journeys.

Learner 190

Learner Association Learning Management System Exercise Standards 190

Association eLearning

AUGUST 2, 2017

You’re busy. You have deadlines to meet, errands to run, and occasionally some “down time” where you try to squeeze in something fun or relaxing. If it’s your job to create training then you do that a lot too. But how often are you a learner? We can talk about putting ourselves in the learner’s shoes all we want, but the best way to “be the learner” is to actually be one.

Learner 190

Learner Simulations Games eBook 190

Association eLearning

JULY 26, 2017

It’s a pain when something breaks right when you need it. If you’re lucky, whatever it is will start working again when you try to show the problem to someone else. (You know, just so it can spite you and make it you look like you’re crazy). eLearning is no exception. But it’s a bit more complicated than a broken vacuum cleaner. If the vacuum is working, it’ll work for anyone.

Flash to HTML5 Conversion 239

Flash to HTML5 Conversion eLearning Flash Association LMS 239

Association eLearning

JULY 19, 2017

Trying to have a conversation with someone who “already knows everything” is like talking to a wall. Nothing you have to say matters because they’ll automatically tune you out. To them, the “conversation” is either a waste of time or a way to show off their own smarts. Learners can fall into this pattern too. It often happens because 1) they really do know their stuff and don’t think they have anything left to learn or 2) because they’re new and insecure.

Simulations 193

Simulations Movie Instructional Design Write Blog 193

Association eLearning

JULY 12, 2017

In 2015, less than half (49%) of all learning was instructor-led in a classroom without a virtual learning component, marking a steady decline over the course of seven years according to the Association of Talent Development. The conversion of classroom training to virtual training is a growing trend that cannot be ignored. But how do we successfully transition instructor-led training into a virtual training session without losing our audience?

Blended Learning 222

Blended Learning Classroom Training Train 222

Association eLearning

JULY 5, 2017

eLearning has always been on the forefront of innovation. The industry is constantly evolving and changing to meet the challenges of new learners and upcoming generations. The terms used last year have given way to new terms, new abbreviations, and a whole lot of confusion as industry leaders opt to use this jargon without explaining what any of it actually means.

Augmented Reality 145

Augmented Reality eLearning Strategy xapi eLearning 145

Association eLearning

JUNE 28, 2017

Disclaimer: This post is not about the “feedback funnel” that’s used in sales or customer relationship management. If you’re looking for that I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong place. But you’re welcome to stay and see what I consider to be learning development’s “feedback funnel.”. Here’s a little secret. There are few things as frustrating to a learning and development (L&D) team as hearing, “We’ve got a global change” when a project is in final review.

Develop 222

Develop Global Storyboard Project 222

Association eLearning

JUNE 14, 2017

In a prior post, we asked, “ what comes first, the LMS or the content ?Today we ask, “which is better, off the shelf vs custom content ?”” Determining the best option for your organization is not an easy task. Certainly, there are pros and cons to both choices. Questions of budget and staff weigh into this decision heavily. Although having content tailored to your organization specifically is ideal, it may not always be practical.

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Custom Content Outsource eLearning Consultant 190

Association eLearning

MAY 24, 2017

Would you notice if the sun didn’t come up tomorrow? Of course you would, because the sun comes up every day. You’re used to it. If it didn’t come up that would be breaking the pattern you’ve become accustomed to. There needs to be a pattern in order for a pattern to be broken and when a pattern is broken people take notice. This can be a real double edged sword, particularly in eLearning.

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Pattern Sun Audio Music 187

Association eLearning

MAY 17, 2017

Are You Going to the ATD International Conference and Expo? If you are headed to the ATD International Conference and Expo May 21-24th in Atlanta, GA, don’t forget to stop by our booth 1043. Let Digitec Interactive diagnose your training needs and offer the right treatment plan for your organization. Digitec now offers learning technology , content , and consulting.

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Conference eLearning Consultant Consulting Services 182

Association eLearning

MAY 10, 2017

Recently, an instructional designer friend of mine asked me, “Should Marketing review eLearning courses and approve them before they are released?” I responded with a, “Yes, but…” There are legitimate reasons Marketing needs to see the course before it goes out. However, content isn’t one of them. That’s right, I said it. I am a marketing person, I am not an instructional designer.

Market 220

Market Course Instructional Design eLearning 220

Association eLearning

APRIL 19, 2017

I don’t want to sound like a traitor to my industry, but learning and development, training, learning management, whatever you want to call it, is so complicated! Seriously, everyday a new platform comes out that promises the moon and the stars. This LMS makes coffee and kisses your kids goodnight. That’s great! Just one question: how does all this technology produce results?

Association Learning Management System 214

Association Learning Management System Association LMS LMS Instructional Design 214

Association eLearning

APRIL 12, 2017

The first time I worked with a storyboard template it was numbered 100, 200, 300, and so on. I did what I thought was the helpful thing and renumbered the storyboards to 1, 2, 3, and so on. I now understand why that was a mistake. Granted, there’s more than one way to effectively number storyboards, but I want to share a few tips and considerations.

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Storyboard Slides Module Lesson 212

Association eLearning

APRIL 5, 2017

How often do you feel like you understand something until someone asks you to tell them more about it? When teachers and learners want to convey information quickly there’s always a temptation to rely on definitions and a sampling of big picture ideas to help the learner hit the ground running. But Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman had his own methodology for mastering new concepts.

Online Learning 190

Online Learning Online Learning Theory Theory 190