The eLearning Coach

The Visual Design of Checklists

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 15:42:21 GMT

The visual design of a checklist has both a utilitarian and an aesthetic aspect. Here are several types of checklists you can adapt to meet your needs.

The World Needs More Checklists

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 22:00:27 GMT

The checklist is one of the most brilliant cognitive aids around. Hidden in this simple format is an ingenious type of performance support.

ELC 064: How to Create Meaning From A Torrent of Information

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 01:44:47 GMT

Every day, we engage in sense-making from a torrent of information. And we attempt to help others construct meaning in the learning experiences we design and provide. But what if we had a better understanding of how people create meaning as they interact with the world? Would that make you better at what you do? In this episode, I speak with Karl Fast, coauthor of Figure It Out: Getting from Information to Understanding.

Karl helps people think well in a world jam-packed with information. He has worked on complex information problems across startups, space science, intranets, education, and the Fortune 500. He holds a PhD in information science and is a former professor of User Experience Design. As a writer, he explores how information shapes the human experience.

WE DISCUSS:

* What the book covers: associations, external representations, interactions and coordinating for understanding
* Benefits to thinking of information as raw material
* The meaning of understanding
* How the science of mind is evolving: behaviorism, computational model, embodied cognition
* Evidence of the deep connection between mind, body and the world
* Difference between pragmatic and epistemic actions
* A taxonomy of actions that help us figure it out
* Coordinating it all for better understanding

TRANSCRIPT: Check back in a day.

RATE: Rate this podcast in Apple Podcasts

TIME: 44 minutes

RESOURCES:

* Figure It Out: Getting from Information to Understanding by Stephen P. Anderson and Karl Fast
* More about Karl Fast
* Twitter: @karlfast
* How the Mind Works by Stephen Pinker
* Liquid Text
* Ikea Hackers :-)

The Importance of Writing Effective Distractors

Sat, 03 Oct 2020 15:31:01 GMT

Although writing effective distractors (wrong answer choices) is often difficult, they can play an important role in getting the measurement information you're seeking. Effective distractors discriminate between those who have achieved the performance objectives and those who have not.

Empathy Maps: A Tool for Learning Experience Design

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 00:36:43 GMT

Learning experience design uses human-centered strategies and tools, like the empathy map to develop empathy for a target audience. Download and learn how to use one here.

Best Stock Music For Multimedia Projects

Sun, 16 Aug 2020 15:45:06 GMT

Reviews of stock music sites for people who produce online learning, presentations and videos.

ELC 063: The Evolution To Learning Experience Design

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 16:23:23 GMT

Do you hear a lot about learning experience design (LXD) but aren't sure what it is? In this episode, we discuss the evolution of instructional design to learning experience design. We talk about what it means to us, how we can explain it to others and how we can support people on their learning journey. I’m replaying an episode of the Powered by Learning podcast that I was on from d’Vinci Interactive. I thought it was timely, since I’m currently writing a series of articles on learning experience design

WE DISCUSS:

* Meaning of learning experience design (LXD)
* Qualities of an effective learning experience
* User experience techniques that can improve outcomes
* Transitioning into learning experience design
* Learning from the audience when you don't have access to them
* Empathy maps complement personas
* Helping clients understand that learning is a journey
* How we need to evolve as learning professionals

TRANSCRIPT: It will be available on August 14, 2020. Check back please.

RATE: Rate this podcast in Apple Podcasts

TIME: 33 minutes

RESOURCES:

* d'Vinci Interactive
* 10 Principles of Learning Experience Design (first article in a series on LXD)
* Mastering Instructional Design Community
* Less Content More Learner (Learning Guild Research Report-become a free member to download)

Get the latest articles, resources and freebies once a month plus my free eBook, Writing for Instructional Design. SEND EBOOK NOW

10 Principles of Learning Experience Design

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 00:59:14 GMT

As we explore our transformation to learning experience design (LXD), we can see that some principles have solidified and are now considered best practices.

ELC 062: Starting An Instructional Design Career in Higher Education

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 14:56:46 GMT

Have you ever considered starting a learning design career in higher education? Have you wondered if academia is the best fit for your preferences and interests? In this episode, Peter Shea and I discuss the roles that instructional designers play in higher education and what it's like to work in that environment.

Peter manages an excellent Facebook community called Instructional Designers in Education, which has close to 7000 members. He is also an instructional designer, teacher, editor, and writer. Peter is an advocate for immersive learning experiences and for using learning analytics to inform learning design. He has spent several years as director of professional development in higher education and is co-editor of a forthcoming book on technology for learning and assessment. Peter also created another social media group in LinkedIn for people interested in data-informed learning design. See the links at the end for access.

WE DISCUSS:

* The role that instructional designers play in higher education
* How working in higher ed differs from L&D in the workplace
* Importance of faculty relationships
* Differences between working in community colleges versus universities
* Salary comparison
* Benefits and disadvantages of working in higher ed
* Using simulations for learning
* Importance of mixing it up with IDs in other fields
* How learning designers in higher ed can improve the field
* Effects of remote learning on higher education
* Learning analytics in higher education
* How to find a job in higher education
* How to prepare for the learning designer role

TRANSCRIPT: Check back tomorrow. The elves are busy.

RATE: Rate this podcast in Apple Podcasts

TIME: 39 minutes

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

* Instructional Designers in Education (Facebook Group)
* Data Informed Data Design (LinkedIn Group)
* Chronicle Vitae (Job listings)
* HigherEd Jobs (Job listings)
* Michael Feldstein Resilience Network

Get the latest articles, resources and freebies once a month plus my free eBook, Writing for Instructional Design. SEND EBOOK NOW

Two Books That Enrich Training & Development

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 03:33:49 GMT

If you are craving innovation and increased creativity, try these two books to enrich your practice. As the needs of the modern adult learner change, we need new approaches to push the envelope and meet their needs.

Alternatives to Bloom’s Taxonomy for Workplace Learning

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 02:37:20 GMT

Are you ready to explore different perspectives about learning outcomes and performance objectives? Check out these alternatives to Bloom's Taxonomy.

10 Best Practices for Designing Blended Learning

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 03:00:54 GMT

Blended learning refers to the use of more than one delivery method to provide and enhance training and support. This is one way to add continued support to people on their learning journey.

Designing Learning for Mental Models

Mon, 18 May 2020 12:00:52 GMT

By understanding a learner's mental models, we can improve our user interfaces, instructional interventions and overall learning experiences.

ELC 061: Getting Started With Inclusive Design

Thu, 14 May 2020 17:36:38 GMT

Accessible design and inclusive design are one of those things that once you learn about it, you can’t turn back. That's because changing your design habits is not only easy, it has a big impact on the lives of others and it benefits everyone. Today I’m speaking with Brian Dusablon, from Learning Ninjas. Brian works in many roles, helping clients apply existing and emerging technologies to support process and business improvement. As an advocate, he creates and teaches about inclusive, accessible user experiences and improving the lives of others. He’s the person many turn to, to get answers to their accessibility questions. In this episode, Brian provides easily actionable steps you can take to start an inclusive design practice.

WE DISCUSS:

* Difference between accessibility and inclusive design
* Limits of accessibility guidelines
* Methods for adopting an inclusive design mindset at the start of a project
* Creating your own standards for inclusive design
* Lenses of accessibility to analyze for eLearning: animation; audio and video; color; controls; readability
* How to design inclusively for animations
* How to design inclusively for typical graphics and the challenges of infographics
* How to design inclusively for audio and video
* Looking at the lens of time in terms of inclusive design
* How to get started quickly
* What to do if management is resistant to inclusive design
* Biggest challenges regarding accessibility in the learning industry

DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT: As usual, elves are working on it right now.

TIME: 33 Minutes

RESOURCES:

* Learning Ninjas Accessibility Resources
* The Accessibility Primer
* Five Golden Rules of Alt-text
* 12 Lenses of Accessibility
* Wave Extension for Chrome and Firefox: In the podcast, Brian mentions reviewing HTML code output from Rise. You can do some checking with the WAVE plugin or use the “inspect element” function in your browser to see Rise output (or other tools) after publishing. To get to Inspect, right-click on a web page in Chrome.
* Diverse Photos
* Hemingway Editor

Use Visual Cues To Enhance Learning

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 19:11:20 GMT

Visual cues direct the eyes to the relevant information in a graphic. This helps ensure that people understand the intended message and adds efficiency to visual communication.

Best Resources For Creating Live Virtual Training Right Now

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 05:10:59 GMT

An increasing number of schools and businesses are moving in-person classes and events online. Are you stuck? Here are resources for coming up to speed quickly for the live virtual classroom.

ELC 060: How to Practice Evidence-Informed Learning Design

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 14:24:28 GMT

I am hoping that this will be the decade of maturation for the learning industry. Part of that maturation will involve disseminating and applying relevant research findings from the learning sciences. In this episode, I speak with Mirjam Neelen about the conclusions that learning researchers agree on, how to identify learning myths and how to incorporate evidence-informed learning strategies into your work.

Mirjam is a coauthor of Evidence-Informed Learning Design: Creating training to improve performance. She is a learning advisory manager with over 10 years of industry experience. In her current role, she leads learning experience design processes across Accenture's various business entities globally.

WE DISCUSS:

* Difference between evidence-informed and evidence-based learning desig
* Disciplines that feed into the learning sciences
* Learning principles that cognitive researchers agree on
* Value of reflection in learning
* Differentiating between learning myths and research-based findings
* Why we should beware of applying neuroscience findings to learning experience design
* Effective strategies for direct instruction and feedback
* Effective strategies for worked examples, which are underused in workplace training

RATE: Rate this podcast in iTunes

TIME: 26 minutes

TRANSCRIPT: Download the
ELC060 Transcript

RESOURCES:

* Evidence-Informed Learning Design (book) by Mirjam Neelen and Paul A. Kirschner
* 3-Star Learning Experiences: (blog) Articles written by Mirjam Neelen and Paul A. Kirschner
* ELC 045: The Art and Science of Practice and Feedback with Patti Shank
* Measured Approach or Magical Elixir? How to Tell Good Science from Bad by Willingham

Get the latest articles, resources and freebies once a month plus my free eBook, Writing for Instructional Design. SEND EBOOK NOW

List of Lists: Podcasts for Learning Professionals

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 05:00:32 GMT

The number of podcasts for learning professionals is growing by leaps and bounds. Rather than keep up with the numerous podcasts that come and go, I'm keeping a list of podcast lists for learning professionals. This list was updated February 2020.