5 practices every elearning team needs to master

5 Practices Every E-Learning

Team Needs to Master

October 29, 2013

Tanveer Makhani

@TanveerMakhani

5 Practices Every E-Learning

Team Needs to Master

October 29, 2013

Tanveer Makhani

@TanveerMakhani

Your Goals

Be asked to do it again

Do it cost effectively

Create amazing e-

learning

How do we do this?

Three measures of success:

You stayed within the budget

You finished the project on time

You got raving reviews

5 Practices to Master 1. Proper Planning 2. Learning Models 3. Maximizing SMEs 4. Tone and Visual Design 5. Evaluation and Measurement

Draw a House

(in 60 seconds – go!)

5 Practices to Master 1. Proper Planning 2. Learning Models 3. Maximizing SMEs 4. Tone and Visual Design 5. Evaluation and Measurement

What is inside the scope of this project?

What is NOT inside the scope of this project?

• Target audience

• Needs assessment

• Budget

• Business Case

• Business Requirements

• Proposed Solution

• Evaluation

• Success Measures

Learner Assessment

WHO are they? Does this affect their learning style?

WHAT do they need to learn? Are they capable?

WHERE do they come from? Can your learning relate?

WHEN do they learn? Do timing and location matter?

WHY are they here? Are you fulfilling that goal?

HOW will they learn best? How do you know?

Budget and Constraints

What skill sets exist within your immediate team or department?

What technologies do you currently have?

How many resources do you have available to work on this project?

What kind of budget is required for a project like this?

Style Guide

What is the look and feel of your training? Themes, Color Schemes, Other Style Elements

Are your style choices realistic?

Do they work with your constraints?

5 Practices to Master 1. Proper Planning 2. Learning Models 3. Maximizing SMEs 4. Tone and Visual Design 5. Evaluation and Measurement

How do we turn this…

Use Design Models

Design models target a specific purpose or result. They can also help us speak a common language, so we can create more consistent designs.

So, what exactly is a

design model?

One way to describe it…

A learning model is a general, reusable solution to a commonly occurring problem in a given context. It is not a one-size-fits all solution. Rather, it is a description or template for how to solve a problem, and can be used in a variety of situations. Models are best practices that the designer can adapt and implement as needed.

The Cognitive Approach to Learning

Knowledge & Skills Builder

Guided story

Goal-based scenarios

Show me, try me, test me

Mentored task

eMagazine

Three main reasons for a learning experience:

To inform or raise awareness

To improve knowledge and skills

To change attitude or behavior

The Cognitive Approach to Learning

Knowledge & Skills Builder

Guided story

Goal-based scenarios

Show me, try me, test me

Mentored task

eMagazine

5 Practices to Master 1. Proper Planning 2. Learning Models 3. Maximizing SMEs 4. Tone and Visual Design 5. Evaluation and Measurement

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

Provide expert, domain knowledge

Assist in identifying and accomplishing learning objectives

Include consultants, authors, experts, industry groups, customers, employees, etc.

1. Define the design process so the SME knows

their role and how they fit

Provide a high-level view of the key project milestones

Clearly inform them what they need to do and how long it’s going to take

Emphasize the importance of face-to-face meetings and workshops

2. Help them visualize the

inputs and the outputs

Show them examples of similar eLearning projects

Provide an example scoping document, script or PPT

Storyboard/script in Word

Wireframe storyboard in PPT

Initial scoping document

Provide templates for them to work with

3. Ask the right questions

to get the right content

Question 1: What are the top five things people must know?

Question 2: What key steps/processes people must follow to do this right?

Question 3: What are the five most common mistakes people make?

Question 4: Can you tell me five case studies or stories about the topic?

Question 5: Where should people go for more help and information?

For Example:

Power to the SMEs!

3. Ask the right questions to get the right content

2. Help them visualize the inputs and the outputs

1. Define the design process so they know their role and fit

5 Practices to Master 1. Proper Planning 2. Learning Models 3. Maximizing SMEs 4. Tone and Visual Design 5. Evaluation and Measurement

A lot of e-learning content is downright boring these days

“As café staff, it’s compulsory that you

maintain quality of produce and serve it as

specified by the Quality Food Manual. By

the end of this training you will

understand how to serve every food type

according to the standards.”

“Our specials today are cold baked beans, burnt toast and undercooked potatoes. Oh, and we have no soup. (We forgot to make it) What would you like to order?” Customers expect great hot food at our café - they know it’s made from our own high quality produce. To be a hot food hero, you need to present it, cook it, and serve it perfectly.

Tone Matters

Tone matters – no matter what the content. Here’s a 5 rule framework to help you write engaging, exciting, and yawn proof content:

1. Keep it light

2. Give it spirit

3. Have a conversation

4. Call for action

5. Be adult

Set direction

2 Set direction

3 Present information

4 Exemplify and

practise

5 Assess and Summarise

6 Action and support

1 Get attention

2 Set direction

3 Present information

4 Exemplify and

practise

5 Assess and Summarise

6 Action and support

1 Get attention

Get Attention

5 Practices to Master 1. Proper Planning 2. Learning Models 3. Maximizing SMEs 4. Tone and Visual Design 5. Evaluation and Measurement

Prove your worth so that you can get another e-learning project

Never forget:

To measure

early

To measure

often

To publish the results

Publish Your Results

Share your success with upper management

Conduct marketing campaigns

Go for industry awards and recognition

Keep it fun, but show demonstrated value in what you’ve done

5 Practices to Master 1. Proper Planning 2. Learning Models 3. Maximizing SMEs 4. Tone and Visual Design 5. Evaluation and Measurement

Questions?

Tanveer Makhani

tanveer.makhani@kineo.com

510.325.3522

@TanveerMakhani