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Is XCL an alternative to the LMS? | Mark Berthelemy Consulting
Is XCL an alternative to the LMS? | Mark Berthelemy Consulting
Mark Berthelemy reviews Build Capable's new XCL tool. This is designed as a way to track training completion and other data without using an LMS, just a link to the course or resource. XCL is in beta right now, so some of the issues noted may get solved later.
·consulting.berthelemy.net·
Is XCL an alternative to the LMS? | Mark Berthelemy Consulting
The politeness effect: Pedagogical agents and learning outcomes
The politeness effect: Pedagogical agents and learning outcomes
Using polite language in elearning improves learning outcomes.
The polite version yielded better learning outcomes, and the effect was amplified in learners who expressed a preference for indirect feedback, who had less computer experience, and who lacked engineering backgrounds. These results confirm the hypothesis that learners tend to respond to pedagogical agents as social actors, and suggest that research should focus less on the media in which agents are realized, and place more emphasis on the agent's social intelligence.
·sciencedirect.com·
The politeness effect: Pedagogical agents and learning outcomes
Want to Speed Up Training Development Time?
Want to Speed Up Training Development Time?
Robyn Defelice's 2023 update of the ATD research on the time required to create training. There are some numbers here, but use caution in benchmarking from these stats. They aren't really designed to be benchmarks, partly because the data isn't standardized to seat time. Robyn suggests (and I agree) that you're better off tracking your own time in your organization and using internal benchmarks that account for your variables.
The largest conclusion we can draw comfortably from the data is that development time still varies considerably for each type of learning product—and no matter what, the variables of the training development for each organization greatly differ. We do not advise that you use the results as stand-alone pieces for calculating project estimates because context is necessary to understand respondents' situations.
·td.org·
Want to Speed Up Training Development Time?
Detailed User Analytics for eLearning Courses Built in Articulate Storyline and Articulate Rise
Detailed User Analytics for eLearning Courses Built in Articulate Storyline and Articulate Rise
Javascript code snippet to gather data in Storyline and Rise courses (and hopefully other kinds of content with generic Javascript soon). I haven't tested this, but it looks like it could provide data useful for tracking which options people selected in branching scenarios. h/t Sam Rogers
·cluelabs.com·
Detailed User Analytics for eLearning Courses Built in Articulate Storyline and Articulate Rise
2024 L&D Predictions: Insights from Industry Pros
2024 L&D Predictions: Insights from Industry Pros
IDLance asked me and several other L&D professionals what the biggest trend will be in 2024. Unsurprisingly, AI was the most popular answer, but it wasn't the only one. Read my response and how Will Thalheimer, Stella Lee, Craig McMichael, and John Findling answered the question of the biggest L&D trend for 2024.
·linkedin.com·
2024 L&D Predictions: Insights from Industry Pros
25 Free Illustrated Characters - Downloads - E-Learning Heroes
25 Free Illustrated Characters - Downloads - E-Learning Heroes
Tom Kuhlmann created illustrated characters in different poses using Midjourney and then cleaned them up afterwards. He's sharing these results for free. Note that some images may still have some weird artifacts, even after the cleanup. These would be a great resource for people looking for a free character set for a portfolio sample.
·community.articulate.com·
25 Free Illustrated Characters - Downloads - E-Learning Heroes
Learning Development Pricing Calculator - LXD Central
Learning Development Pricing Calculator - LXD Central

I appreciate the detailed breakdowns of time estimates per task in this article. This would be a very helpful way to create a project plan, even if you've never created an ILT or elearning course before.

However, note the caveat about the hourly rate at the bottom. The calculator uses $60 or $65/hour for pricing, but that's what a vendor would pay its own employees. If you're buying from a vendor, the cost is likely much higher. (Although apparently I'm not taking nearly enough profit for myself if vendors are typically pricing at 2.5 times their cost.)

<span style="font-size: 1rem;">How much should you pay for a learning solution? Why does one vendor quote $5,000 and another $20,000? At its core, the price of a learning solution is a very simple equation –&nbsp;</span><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Rate x Effort = Price.</strong>
For those organizations that buy learning from third-party vendors these prices may seem quite low, and they are. The $65 rate is commensurate with what one of those companies would pay an employee but does not include all of the overheads, cost of sale, and profit that company would typically account for in the price. As a rule of thumb, a custom learning company will price at about 60% gross margin, which in short-hand means you multiple direct costs by 2.5.
·lxdcentral.com·
Learning Development Pricing Calculator - LXD Central
ChatGPT integration with Storyline for eLearning -Infinite Scenarios - YouTube
ChatGPT integration with Storyline for eLearning -Infinite Scenarios - YouTube
Garima Gupta shows an example of a scenario with an open-ended question rather than multiple choice. She uses Storyline for the front end and Javascript to call ChatGPT for the responses. This is more like an AI chatbot rather than a programmatic chatbot. This is done through a paid subscription service through her company, Artha Learning.
·youtube.com·
ChatGPT integration with Storyline for eLearning -Infinite Scenarios - YouTube
Interactivity Vs. Engagement: Going beyond meaningless clicks
Interactivity Vs. Engagement: Going beyond meaningless clicks
Jahan Kay clarifies the differences between interactivity and engagement, especially cognitive and emotional engagement. The article notes some types of interaction that may support cognitive engagement: scenario-based learning, simulations, discussions, and social interaction.
But the real value of interactivity doesn't lie in the number of physical interactions. It's about the depth of cognitive engagement these interactions can ignite.
·linkedin.com·
Interactivity Vs. Engagement: Going beyond meaningless clicks
ThingLink: Create unique experiences with interactive images, videos & 360° media
ThingLink: Create unique experiences with interactive images, videos & 360° media

Branching scenario tool for simulations, interactive videos, and more. This has a clear emphasis on both including a range of multimedia plus tracking interaction data.

However, the way they track data is by hosting it themselves, which affects the pricing model. The pricing is $4/user/month–which seems really high to me, considering that’s more than some full-blown LMSs that can host hundreds of courses. They have a minimum of 50 users, which means the minimum cost is $200/month. Even if the tool is great, I think that’s would be a hard sell for most organizations.

·thinglink.com·
ThingLink: Create unique experiences with interactive images, videos & 360° media
Designing eLearning Games Using Interactive Stories - Scissortail Creative Services, LLC
Designing eLearning Games Using Interactive Stories - Scissortail Creative Services, LLC
Kayleen Holt shares 6 questions to consider when designing elearning games that incorporate interactive stories.
<p>When designing eLearning games using interactive stories, ask yourself the following six questions:</p><ol><li><strong>What’s the point?</strong> Be clear about the learning goal.</li><li><strong>Does it matter?</strong> Make sure the story is realistic, relevant, and tied to the learning goal.</li><li><strong>Is it fun?</strong> Slapping a leaderboard onto a course doesn’t make it a game. Games need to be fun. Test the fun factor by getting input from learners.</li><li><strong>Does it make sense?</strong> Take time to get the script right in the beginning, and check it with every change to make sure all the branching paths still make sense.</li><li><strong>Is it immersive?</strong> Don’t pull your learner out of the story. Show, don’t tell. Use high-quality visual design and audio (if narrated). And don’t preach.</li><li><strong>Does it exclude anyone?</strong> Include diverse characters and avoid stereotypes. Use inclusive language, and design with accessibility in mind.</li></ol>
·scissortailcs.com·
Designing eLearning Games Using Interactive Stories - Scissortail Creative Services, LLC
E-Learning Edition 2023 - Enterprise Viewpoint
E-Learning Edition 2023 - Enterprise Viewpoint
Enterprise Viewpoint's February 2023 issue is focused on elearning. I contributed an article (From "Click Next" to "Choose Your Path": Elearning with Branching Scenarios. Also, check out the other contributions on a range of topics from Michael Allen, Tom Kuhlmann, Cammy Bean, Allison Rossett, Jean Marripodi, Richard Goring, and Charles Jennings.
·enterpriseviewpoint.com·
E-Learning Edition 2023 - Enterprise Viewpoint
Online Course Side Hustle tips
Online Course Side Hustle tips
LinkedIn post by Dr. Philippa Hardman with tips for creating an online course as a side hustle. While I don't think most people are going to be making the kinds of profit she is, the pricing tiers made sense to me. More time spent by the instructor and lower ratios = higher prices.
Course creators consistently under value their courses. Completion rates are 61% higher when online courses cost $200 or higher. Per-seat prices are higher when courses offer a "beyond YouTube" experience - i.e. participation, creation &amp; connection.<br><br>These tiers work well for me: <br><br>Premium: ~4 hrs of my time per week: £500-£1k per seat, cohort-instructor ratio of 1:20 <br><br>Mid: ~1-3 hrs of my time per per week: £250-£500 per seat, cohort-instructor ratio of 1:50 <br><br>Scale: ~1-3 hrs of my time per per month: £100-£250 per seat, cohort-instructor ratio of 1:infinite
·linkedin.com·
Online Course Side Hustle tips
Write better elearning scenarios: active or descriptive choices – Learningworld Design
Write better elearning scenarios: active or descriptive choices – Learningworld Design
In branching scenarios, descriptive choices "You tell him he is right" feel very different than active choices ""You're right!" I agree with the author that there are no hard and fast rules in branching scenarios; there are times that both can be used effectively.
The most important aspect of branching scenarios and interactive stories are the choices presented to the player/learner. Choices are what make interactive stories different from other creative writing outputs such as novels, plays and movies.
Choices can feel totally different to a player depending on how they are written, even if they seem to have the same outcome.
·learningworlddesign.co.nz·
Write better elearning scenarios: active or descriptive choices – Learningworld Design
6 Things Video Games Can Teach You About Writing Engaging Scenarios - E-Learning Heroes
6 Things Video Games Can Teach You About Writing Engaging Scenarios - E-Learning Heroes
Tips for writing engaging scenarios, plus examples from specific games
Now, this isn’t to say your scenario’s aesthetics are meaningless. It’s more that if you have a limited amount of time and resources, it’s best to focus on crafting the story and keep the look and feel simple.
<p>When it doesn’t take much thinking to identify the correct choice, it quickly becomes boring.</p> <p>Instead, it’s better to give your audience challenging yet realistic decisions to ponder. Things that make them think hard about what the best option could be. </p>
So what’s the best way to avoid clunky 90’s video game dialogue in your scenarios? Read your script out loud as you’re drafting it. If it sounds weird as you say it, that’s a good sign that it could use reworking.
Fun is a crucial part of what makes game-like experiences like scenarios so engaging. Just make sure that the majority of the fun serves to reinforce the project’s learning goals.
·community.articulate.com·
6 Things Video Games Can Teach You About Writing Engaging Scenarios - E-Learning Heroes
How much does it cost to start freelancing in instructional design?
How much does it cost to start freelancing in instructional design?
Cara North breaks down the expenses to get started freelancing, using her actual costs plus a few alternatives. For setting up an LLC, website, hardware, software, and professional development, you can expect to spend a few thousand dollars in the first year.
So how much does it cost to start as a freelance instructional designer? My estimate is between $3000 and $5000.
·caranorth.net·
How much does it cost to start freelancing in instructional design?
Using Twine for Classroom Engagement - ACTion
Using Twine for Classroom Engagement - ACTion
This is a summary of a project at the University of Toronto using Twine to create an educational game, plus an overview of Twine.
Although Twine is a tool for creating “games”, this project goes beyond games and gamification to think creatively about how the functions of Twine can be used to create activities that allow students to more directly engage with learning content in a hands-on experiential format that may not be possible in a traditional classroom learning space.
·action.act.utoronto.ca·
Using Twine for Classroom Engagement - ACTion