Learning Solutions Magazine

Performance Support Should Be “Amazon.com” Smart by Dr. Conrad Gottfredson

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

A good performance-support solution gives the help or information someone requires at the moment of need. A great performance support solution gives someone help or information in a way that causes that person to feel the response was “engineered ‘Just for Me.’” If you want to learn how to make great performance support, this Spotlight will get you started!

Wiley Announces Branding Changes by News Editor

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

John Wiley & Sons, publisher of a number of books for professionals in the learning field, has announced a series of strategic branding changes. Among these changes is the discontinuation of the Pfeiffer brand. Read the details here!

Hatsize 4.0 Launched: Next-generation Training Labs by News Editor

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

A new, state-of-the-art interface in Hatsize 4.0 makes lab-based learning easier and more interactive.

New eBook: 68 Tips for eLearning Engagement and Interactivity by Jennifer Neibert

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Engagement is a critical element of learning. For eLearning and mLearning engagement is arguably even more important, but it requires additional planning, monitoring, and creativity to do it well. If you’re looking for clever ideas to drive engagement in your learning initiatives, download 68 Tips for eLearning Engagement and Interactivity—free from The eLearning Guild—today!

mLearnCon 2013: Support Accomplishment with Mobile Technology! by Bill Brandon

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Widespread media attention is raising expectations for the use of mobile technology in learning and performance support. The next steps are to consider the strategies and the specifics of application that will benefit your organization and to make practical plans. The eLearning Guild’s mLearnCon Conference & Expo 2013 will help you as you chart your course—here’s how!

eLearning Guild Research: Mobile Learning for Supporting Workers' Performance by Patti Shank

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

What is the best way to position learning on mobile devices? It makes sense to use these devices to provide support for learning since we carry them with us all the time. A 2013 research report from The eLearning Guild can show you some great examples of how organizations are implementing this kind of augmentation.

A Quality Scorecard for Multiple-choice Tests by Mike Dickinson

Wed, 15 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

A quality scorecard for multiple-choice items, both at the individual and the training organization levels, can help a manager improve effectiveness of multiple-choice tests. The manager could use the scorecard to assess specific tests or to assess a cross section of multiple-choice items collected from each instructor or designer’s portfolio. Here is such a scorecard!

Marc My Words: Boston, Social Media, and Lessons for Learning by Marc J. Rosenberg

Tue, 14 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Social media played an incredible role in reporting the events at the 2013 Boston Marathon and assisting in its outcome. There are some lessons about the power of social media in learning we can take away from those events. What are the benefits and what are the pitfalls?

Rapid Development Technology: Crutch or Rocket Pack? by John Sadowski

Mon, 13 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Are we using rapid development tools in a way that makes our eLearning more effective?

EMEA Reporter: Serious Gaming Solves Talent Management Issues by Nic Laycock

Thu, 09 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Talent shortages are becoming a feature of life for many companies and many industries. The need is great, but qualified replacements are hard to find and hard to keep. A company in Holland provides serious games to help develop talent and to help identify the best candidates. Read about it here!

Our Three eSteps to Lasting Behavioral Change by Mukta Raut

Wed, 08 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Changing behavior is tough. Changing behavior through eLearning is even tougher. Effective corporate training programs must engage our objective understanding of the situation, and subjective response to it, as well as clearly seeing the work environment in which the situation occurs. A well-thought-out instructional strategy can achieve this through eLearning.

Nuts and Bolts: We Need New Words by Jane Bozarth

Tue, 07 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

We need new words. They might have to be neologisms, or even sniglets, but we are doing many things these days in ways that we never did them before, and so there are no words for them. Jane reflects on three such instances. Can you supply the words?

Mobile Learning Supports Global Health by Inge de Waard

Mon, 06 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Mobile technology for healthcare delivery and support—mHealth—is growing rapidly, and mLearning is an important part of it. In fact, this area offers great opportunity for those who can create mHealth applications, including training, education, and performance support for healthcare providers and their clients. Here is an overview of this increasingly important field.

Book Review: Better Beginnings, by Carmen Taran by Richard Butler

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT

No matter what kind of eLearning you are developing, one of your goals is to engage and hold onto the learners. Before you can do that, you have to capture them—get their minds engaged. According to Carmen Taran, you have about 30 seconds to do this, and here is a review of the book in which she shows you the techniques that will do just that.

The Story Arc Model: Combining Simulation and Story to Create Memorable Learning by Jack McGrath

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

“Simulation” is a technique that is useful across many different instructional situations. By far the most important task in designing effective simulations is creating scenarios that reflect the real world. The story arc model can help you master this challenge.

What's in a Story? More Than You Can Tell by Diane Senffner

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Whether we’re teaching students, corporate staff, volunteers, customers, or clients, we all face common problems in the design of eLearning. It’s amazing how something as simple as a story can make a breakthrough difference in the credibility and relevance of learning content. Here’s a personal success story, and the secret behind it.

Citrix Adds Do-it-yourself Webcasting, Announces New HDFaces GoToTraining Beta by News Editor

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

From small-group presentations to stadium-filled sales seminars, Citrix connects people with a full range of video-enabled collaboration tools.

Toolkit: Lectora Inspire by Joe Ganci

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Lectora from Trivantis is not a newcomer to the eLearning development tool market. However, the latest version is an overhaul from the ground up, and in this review, Joe reports that it feels like a brand-new tool.

Free eBook: 129 Tips on Using Technology in Virtual and Physical Classrooms by Jennifer Neibert

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

There are often two reactions to the idea of virtual classrooms—utter excitement, fearful apprehension, or both. The virtual environment may intimidate instructors accustomed to physical classrooms. But it doesn’t have to be intimidating! Learn more in the latest free eBook from The eLearning Guild!

From Scattered Information to Transformational Performance Support: Where Are You? by Dr. Conrad Gottfredson

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Targeted performance support enables effective performance in the workplace. It helps people do what the organization needs them to do to continuously accomplish strategic objectives. Here’s a look at a system that provides this kind of support and significant benefits. The results can be transformational!

Research for Practitioners: When It's Not a Knowledge Problem by Julie Dirksen

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

As an instructional designer, how do you handle situations where there’s not a knowledge problem? Where people know what to do, but just don’t do it? Here’s a review of a recent research study on the influence of visceral experience on behavior. It will suggest a way that you may want to try when dealing with these cases.

The Guerilla Technologist Lives On! by Dusti Annan-Coultas

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

One of the most difficult accountabilities in a professional’s job description is managing change. There are few guidelines and no paradigm easily abbreviated into a set of initials. In fact, the professional must climb completely out of the familiar box that may be his or her job description and venture into very unfamiliar territory. Fortunately, one who has been there left a map.

Become a Volunteer: Change the World One Course at a Time by Jennifer Neibert

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Whether you’re just getting started in eLearning or you’re an experienced practitioner looking for ways to continue building your portfolio, consider volunteering your skills and expertise to a nonprofit organization working to change the world. The opportunity to give back is incredibly rewarding, so step up and find an organization where you can donate your time and talents.

When Windows 8 Arrives, Will You Be Ready? by Bill Rosenthal

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Windows 8 is making slow but sure progress into the enterprise and personal computing space. Windows 8 has a steep learning curve, and “quick-and-dirty” approaches to training will not succeed. Here is some information you will want to consider as you make your contingency plans for the day when your organization decides to adopt Windows 8.

eLearning Guild Research: Thinking (Guild) Research at LSCon 2013 with Some Very Smart Folks by Patti Shank

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Imagine a breakout session with five opinionated Guild Research writers at the 2013 Learning Solutions Conference in Orlando, jam-packed with questions and laughter from both panelists and audience members. Here’s some of the fun (and information) from that session.