Learning Solutions Magazine

Beginning Instructional Authoring: Who's Looking Out for YOUR Skills? Part Three by Patti Shank

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMT

In Part Three of her series on Professional Development for 2012, Patti offers links to meetings, conferences, online sessions, and other places where you can acquire new skills or update what you already know.

Designing Learning for “When Things Go Wrong” by Michele Medved

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMT

When things go wrong, there may not be time for employees to fire up an eLearning module, attend a class, or get some coaching. The problem has to be fixed now. This is a key moment of need that formal and informal learning strategies often fail to address. There is a strategy that works, though – leveraging social media and job aids. This week’s tip shows you how.

Marc My Words: eLearning Boot Camp by Marc J. Rosenberg

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Traditional roles in training and education are in transition, and perhaps fading away. Specializations in eLearning are merging and morphing. What was current last year is now passé, and what was a blip on the horizon is now mainstream. In a time of constant change in our professions, where do you focus your attention? The answer is continuous professional development, and here’s how.

Avoid Making Assumptions That Backfire! by Saul Carliner

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMT

When you write text for eLearning content, do you use language that sets up unrealistic expectations for the learners? There are many types of assumptions that instructional designers can make when they write, that can undo even the best design. Here is an explanation of three of the most common of these assumptions, and what to do about them.

Nuts and Bolts: Opportunity Knocks? by Jane Bozarth

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Formal design process gets a lot of attention, but not every problem requires the full treatment. Consider first what your client needs, before you start working on what the process flow chart requires, and when the problem is simple, keep the solution simple. Jane offers the key to remedies for performance issues.

Fundamentals of Social Media Support for Learning by Pam Boiros

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Social interaction has always been, along with experience and practice, a mainstay of learning for human beings. Until recently, this took place primarily in the “informal” arena. The use of online social media to support formal learning has now entered the picture, extending the blended learning paradigm. Here is a set of tips for adding powerful social support for learning.

Well Read: Prototyping by Todd Zaki Warfel by Judy Unrein

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

The typical objection to prototyping in eLearning is that there is neither time nor money for it. Yet, in other fields, prototyping is not only accepted, but expected. There are compelling arguments for prototyping, including dramatically shortened development cycles and improved product quality. Here is a review that may help you find what you need to overcome objections to prototyping.

Book Review: Design for How People Learn, by Julie Dirksen by Clark N. Quinn

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Julie Dirksen has just published an excellent guide to better learning design. Here are the details. Her book is recommended for beginning designers, and for subject matter experts who have found themselves drafted into creating eLearning.

New eLearning Guild Research Report Media for eLearning: Top Tools by News Editor

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Many an argument gets started over the merits and deficits of media tools – those indispensible software products that provide the functions required for creating, editing, and building media and eLearning content. The latest Guild report gives you the facts you need when you are deciding which tool to learn, purchase, or use.

Toolkit: ZebraZapps is Ready! by Joe Ganci

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

After two years of anticipation, ZebraZapps is available to developers. Was it worth the wait? Read Joe’s review!

Case Study: Engaging Learners in the Synchronous Distance Environment by Kim Bahr and Rebecca Bodrero

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

To accomplish more with fewer resources, many organizations are turning from costly traditional face-to-face (F2F) training to alternate methods, such as self-paced eLearning and distance learning. Here is a summary of the techniques used recently to convert a four-day F2F course to a synchronous distance format, highlighting design considerations, successes, and best practices.

Ensuring eLearning Success in 2012: Think Like a Charity by Martin Baker

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Organizations around the world are working to manage effectively under the threat of looming economic crisis. This is most especially true for charities. In the U.K., a children’s charity, Barnardo’s, has received an award for their innovative and successful eLearning initiatives. Their approach contains much that for-profit organizations would do well to imitate.

Development Tips: HTML by Hand by Mark Lassoff

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

We welcome Mark Lassoff to our family of Learning Solutions Magazine columnists. Each month, Mark will provide tutorial content on basic production skills that will help you master the tools you use everyday as you develop eLearning. He begins this month with the most basic tool: Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).

The Human Factor: Serious Game, Strategic Partnership by Mary Arnold

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Mobile and social technologies can combine to support learning and performance, as can simulation and gaming. But games, simulations, and social technologies can also be combined collaboratively to support learning, performance, and other real-world tasks. Here is an example that also suggests a model for collaborative development of such applications.

Boots On The Ground: Introducing A Community of Practice at Bechtel by Paul Drexler and Ani Mukerji

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

A key activity for learning and development groups is supporting the growth and effectiveness of informal and collaborative learning among employees or members of a community of practice. Social and mobile technologies are essential to success, as this case study illustrates. This is essential (and inspiring) reading for all!

Beginning Instructional Authoring: Are You Looking Out for Your Skills? Part Two by Patti Shank

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Don’t leave your skills development to chance! Consider where your skills will need to be at the end of 2012, and start planning now to create a path to that level. Patti shows you some guideposts that will help you get there!

Socializing Mobile Learning in the Enterprise by Adam Smith

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Getting started in mobile learning often requires a certain amount of networking and thoughtful use of opportunities to engage decision-makers – in other words, socializing. Here are some simple ways to create interest and gain approval for a pilot project. Nothing succeeds like success, even if it's a small success!

Marc My Words: Ten Common Mistakes in Building an eLearning Strategy by Marc J. Rosenberg

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Having a strategy is important, and it needs to be a solid strategy if it is to be the basis for a successful and sustainable eLearning effort. Here are ten of the mistakes that people most often make when setting their strategy, and each mistake will weaken the strategy.

The Accidental Instructional Designer by Cammy Bean

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

When keeping the focus on the future in 2012, it’s important to include your own ongoing professional development as part of the picture. If you’re new to the instructional design and eLearning fields, it’s good to look at what those who are established have done to develop themselves. If you’re an established practitioner, compare notes. Here are some tips from a top professional!

Nuts and Bolts: New Year's Resolutions, 2012 by Jane Bozarth

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

By all indications, 2012 is going to be a year of some major transitions in the way we develop and deliver eLearning. However, this should not distract any of us from the fundamentals that support actual learning. Jane offers some suggestions for resolutions that will keep us all on the right track.

Contexts and Choices: Learning Strategies in 2012 by Bill Brandon

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:01:00 GMT

In 2012, without a learning strategy (whether for their organizations or for themselves) and without a development strategy, professionals in the learning business (training, education, or what-have- you) will be seriously challenged by the most fundamental decisions. The key to strategy is context.

Well Read: The Creative Habit by Judy Unrein

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:01:00 GMT

We welcome Judy Unrein's column, Well Read, to Learning Solutions Magazine! To be a successful instructional designer takes broad knowledge of design principles and business concepts that go beyond our narrow field of practice. Each month, Judy will review a book that should be on your shelf or in your eReader. She starts this month with an exploration of creativity!

Toolkit: Reflections on the DevLearn 2011 Expo by Joe Ganci

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:01:00 GMT

Did you go to DevLearn this year? If so, did you visit every Expo exhibit to see the latest and greatest tools and services? If not, then you’ll want to read Joe Ganci’s column this month. He checked out the expo hall thoroughly and asked the exhibitors a lot of questions, some of which made the exhibitors uncomfortable. Read Joe’s take on what he saw and heard. Be ready to be surprised!

The Human Factor: Winter Reading List by Mary Arnold

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:01:00 GMT

Looking for some good reading during the holiday break? Mary recommends the five business books she’s found most useful in her ongoing professional development in 2011.

Beginning Instructional Authoring: Are You Looking Out for YOUR Skills? Pep Talk, Part 1 by Patti Shank

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:01:00 GMT

Professional development is vital in any career, and especially so in those careers that move as fast as ours in eLearning does. But the task can seem overwhelming: what should be in your professional development plan, and where do you start? It’s not all technical skills. Here is some excellent advice on creating your own plan for 2012 – and for starting on it today!