ID—LXD: Moving from Instructional Design to Learning Experience Design
Blog posts
Celestory - Create your customized training
Tool for creating branching scenario training or interactive games. I haven't tried this yet, but there's a free version that would be enough to test it out. The tool collects data on user behavior. The website says it's using AI to analyze behavior, but it's not quite clear exactly what that AI is doing.
Twiddla
Online whiteboard tool. This looks like it might be worth investigating for those running into limitations with their existing tools. No plugins or downloads needed.
How to give delayed FEEDBACK in a Google Form -
Branching scenarios can be built in Google Forms. It may not be my first choice as a tool, but plenty of teachers in schools are restricted to Google tools. This post goes step by step to show how to provide either immediate or delayed feedback and how to create branching with the "Go to Section" option.
Guide to Finding an LMS/LXP (Learning Management Systems)
Craig Weiss now offers a free service for searching and comparing LMSs. Complete the form to enter the features you need and find options. His commentary and observations are included (and he has more breadth of knowledge across LMSs than anyone else in the field).
How long does it take to develop an online course? | UT Dallas eLearning Team
While a few studies exist about development time for workplace elearning, not as much seems to be readily available for higher education. This post has some breakdowns for development time for developing a syllabus, recording lectures, assignments, etc. The estimate for discussion board questions seems a little low to me (a good discussion question often takes more than 5 minutes to write and refine), but this is a good starting point. This is about 130 hours of work for a single online course.
How to Write About Unfamiliar Subjects: Four Tips for New Topics | ProEdit
While this is about writing, this relates to instructional design as well. You start with a solid foundation of skills and an understanding of how to write for different audiences. You do research and work with a SME. Confirm details during the project. Batch your questions to SMEs to use their time efficiently.
LinkedIn
"The Learners in the Learning" is Peter Nelson's summary and reflection after one of my recent webinars. He connects my points about focusing on what learners need to do to his own experiences with a great example about the value of observing actual learners.
Directly observing the behaviors of these folks gave me the insights I needed to tailor the solution. The same applies in a learning setting. Go watch that customer service agent <strong>IN PERSON </strong>and see for yourself what they are doing well, what they are not doing well, and what they might be totally missing.
Add New Post ‹ Experiencing eLearning — WordPress
How people work is changing. I've got some tips based on my of working from home.
How to be good at networking
Good networkers don't see themselves as networkers. They're mostly trying to help people.
Most people approach networking from the wrong angle. Rather than going into conversations thinking, “What’s in this for me?” he recommends that you should think: “How can I make this person’s day better?”
This moment crystallized a few simple ideas when it came to Gordon’s approach to people: Kindness and empathy are simple to execute, actions are essential, and you always have to consider who you’re interacting with and how what you do impacts them.
<p>So what is the major takeaway for those who want to be seen as connectors and/or expert networkers? Gordon says the first step is to remember it’s not about you. The bottom line is, relationships get stronger through empathy, service, and creating reciprocity where everybody wins.</p><p>Here’s the thing. Good networkers don’t see themselves as networkers at all—they just want to help people.</p>
Marketing YOUR Freelance eLearning Business - YouTube
Ant Pugh on all the marketing tactics he tried when he started freelancing. One problem was that he had no overall strategy for his marketing, just a lot of tactics. The tactics that work for one person might not work for another because they don't fit the strategy.
Open Peeps, Hand-Drawn Illustration Library
Public domain (CC0) Illustrated characters with mix and match hair, bodies, expressions, and poses.
TelePrompter
Free teleprompter in your browser. If you're doing a quick video and need a script, this lets you edit right on the page. Position it near your camera to maintain eye contact.
Sparks
Tool for creating automated spaced learning with options for nudges in multiple platforms. This could be used for performance support, reminders for feedback surveys, etc.
Brain Science: Enable Your Brain to Remember Almost Everything | Learning Solutions Magazine
Use memory boosters to reduce how much people forget after training.
So how often should information be boostered? We recommend
that you send boosters out in three phases. You can keep this in mind by
remembering 2+2+2. Send out boosters after two days, two weeks, and two months.
This first set of boosters should be “recognition boosters.” The
strategy here is just to get people to try to recognize the right answer from a
list of options.
The second phase of boosters should be sent about two weeks
after the training and at this time you should send out “generative boosters.”
In a generative booster, the learner does not just recognize the right answer
from a list. Instead, they have to think about the topic and then create an
answer out of their head.
The third phase of boosters should be sent about two months
after the training, and at this time you should send out “integrative boosters.”
An integrative booster again prompts the learner to retrieve the information,
but this question specifically asks them to provide concrete examples of how
they have made use of this information in their job.
eLearning Development Calculator - Estimate the Time to Create a Course
Bryan Jones created this development calculator using the benchmark data from the Chapman Alliance study. This also includes ways to estimate the course length based on the length of ILT, number of slides in a slide deck, a script, etc.
Five Best Practices Teachers Can Learn from Dungeon Masters -
How being a DM who creates experiences for players is like creating experiences for learning
Sci Ani – Science Animated – Your research brought to life
Provider of custom animation. Whiteboard animation starts around $1600/minute. 2D animation starts around $1900/minute. Full 3D animation starts around $7400/minute
The LPI Capability Map - Learning and Performance Institute
Free self assessment on skills and competencies in learning and development
Teachers in Need of a New Career Path: Think Instructional Design
Article from a graduate of the IDOL academy on how and why to transition from teaching to instructional design
The Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide - Training Industry
Extensive list of podcasts related to learning, training, instructional design, and technology
Donald Clark Plan B: Video for learning –15 things the research says – some may shock you…
Summary of research on using videos for learning. Video length, using "talking heads," cuts, screen size, and more.
The Complete Guide To Creating Opt-in Forms That Convert
Massive article on creating opt-in forms and building an email list by Brennan Dunn
How to quickly find the cause of a performance problem
A great idea for digging into the reason for a performance problem. Instead of just asking "why," ask "what for." What drives behavior may not be a problem that can be fixed with training.
Ger’s Learning Notes #32 - From Classroom Learning to Blended Learning - aNewSpring
Ger Driesen's curated collection of resources on elearning, blended learning, and moving training from classroom to online. Two of my blog posts on converting content are included.
Resources for Creating Branching Scenarios - E-Learning Uncovered
Diane Elkin's curated resources on creating branching scenarios, including examples, books, blog posts, and templates.
Accessibility posters
Guidelines for developing media with different aspects of accessibility. These are also available as downloadable PDF posters.
Free Online Video Maker - Create Videos in Minutes | FlexClip
Free browser-based tool for creating quick videos. This would be good for creating short promos for upcoming webinars or training.
Change Management for Maximum Software Adoption
Software training can fail without change management support. Learning new software means you'll be less efficient for a while, so you have to get enough motivation to push through the learning process. In fact, this applies to many areas of training.
Sharing the Wealth - Mindful Mornings
Patti Bryant mentions me in a blog post about how helping others and being generous with your resources helps consultants gain credibility and find new clients. A scarcity mindset says there aren't enough clients to go around and you should hoard your resources and knowledge. An abundance mindset says there's enough, so go ahead and share generously. (She doesn't use the phrase "abundance mindset," but that's what she is describing.)