ID ZONE Presentation (March 11, 2009)
There are a dozen or more tools that allow SME’s and other non-ID content creators to turn PowerPoint and other sources into e-Learning! Do these tools help you as an instructional designer? Are they truly rapid? Do they allow creation of good e-Learning? You’ll see examples of e-Learning created with rapid development tools, and learn how these tools impact e-Learning design.
Rapid elearning is not a myth. In fact, it’s the norm. The tools are getting more sophisticated and easier to use. The real question is how long will organizations continue to invest in more expensive solutions when the rapid elearning tools give them a cost effective and viable solution.
In fact, rapid is so easy, even a monkey can do it.
Rapid E-Learning Overview
There are basically three types of elearning tools: form, freeform, and screencasting.
Form
The software does everything. You add your content into a form. When you publish you get a nice product that required no programming. This can be a standalone or one that you add to other products.
These tools are fast and make production easy. Because they are form-based, they do present some limitations. Think of it like a Jello mold. You get what the form is designed to give you.
Freeform
This offers a blank screen and you can do what you want. There are some parts that are automated and some that require programming. Authorware and Flash are good examples of freeform tools. PowerPoint also gives you freeform authoring.
Freeform tools offer unlimited opportunities, but typically have a higher learning curve and require a lot more skill than using a form-based tool.
So the challenge is to balance the ease of development in a form and no programming with freeform authoring that gives you more custom options but requires a higher learning curve. That’s why PowerPoint is so valuable. You get a good balance of easy freeform authoring with little programming and a lower learning curve since many people are familiar with PowerPoint.
Screencasting
Think of screencasting like making a movie of your computer screen. They’re very popular tools to do software demos and simulations. They can be standalone or inserted into other courses as a Flash file.
Rapid Elearning Tools
Many of the rapid elearning tools and courses offer some sort of hybrid version of these three types. PowerPoint-to-Flash tools leverage PowerPoint’s easy freeform authoring environment to build Flash animations and interactions. They usually let you insert Flash content, whether created in Flash or using another rapid elearning product whether form-based, custom coded, or screencast.
Examples of Rapid Elearning Content
- CPR Demo by e-Mersion
- Evernote Tour by New Mavens
- Product Tours by Ad Giants
- HIPPA Privacy 2009 by Springfield Service Corp
- Creative Visualization by JoAnn Swanson
- Skyscan Atomic Clock example of a reworked linear elearning course. Here’s the original.
- Cardiac Life Support by 42 Design Square
- Sexual Harassment Training by Cognizant Technology Solutions
- Fair Hiring by Monarch Media
- OSHA Training by eVision-Design
- Responsible Communications by Globus
- Objection Handling by Volvo Penta
- Weighbridge Operations by Waste Recycling Group
- Avoid Death by E-Learning by Teach America
- Machu Picchu by Dan Rollins
- Beer Brewing & Tour by Chris Kelly
Rapid Elearning Strategies
A few demos built with rapid authoring tools that also discuss some strategic elements of rapid authoring.
- Rapid Elearning Hierarchy
Three step approach for using rapid elearning tools; flash animations built in PowerPoint and inserted into the form-based product - PowerPoint is a great elearning tool
Overview of how to approach PowerPoint to Flash tools - Tips from an Elearning Pioneer
Words of wisdom from Dr. Werner Oppelbaumer
Interactivity
There are many ways to build interactive content using rapid authoring tools. Some of the form-based tools offer exploration of content, decision-making branches, and other sorts of interactivity. Even if you work inside PowerPoint only, you can create quite a bit of interactivity.
- Office Ergonomics
Prometheus: effective use of Engage (form-based) as a quick, interactive assessment - Xcelsius demo
Rapid elearning lets you integrate multimedia. This I a good example of an interactive Flash file created in one tool and inserted into the PowerPoint slide. This is true for screencasts and other form-based products. - Branching examples
Three ways to build branches in rapid elearning courses - Frog Dissection
Prototype based on the froguts.com flash course demo - Scenario
PowerPoint based branching - Single Screen branch
Built in PowerPoint - Multi-screen branch
Built in PowerPoint - Xcelsius demo
Rapid elearning lets you integrate multimedia. This I a good example of an interactive Flash file created in one tool and inserted into the PowerPoint slide. This is true for screencasts and other form-based products.
Form-based authoring
These examples were all built with form-based tools. The software does all of the work to pull it together and publish. You just add the content.
- FAQ interaction
Built in just a few minutes using form-entry - Mini Cooper
Prototype of a similar interaction from a Michael Allen course. This was built in about 5 minutes compared to having a Flash programmer build it. - Web 2.0 Overview
Adding multimedia to the form is easy and only takes a few minutes. - Scenario
Scenario built with a form-based tool and inserted into PowerPoint
Assessment
Most quiz tools are form-based and look pretty standard. These are examples of assessments built in a form and then manipulated in a freeform environment. As you can see there’s a lot of variation to what you can do.
- Virtual World demo
Scenario-based assessment - Customer Service demo
Assessment centered on customer interaction - 5 Common Question Mistakes
Quiz demo - Think Like a Manager
Quiz demo
Leverage Web 2.0 Technology
There are a number of social media sites and web technologies that you can bring into your course. This wasn’t possible a few years ago, and not easy to do with custom development. However, with a rapid authoring tool you can add these technologies with just a few mouse clicks.
- Google Map Youtube Mash Up
Great way to bring the web into your course. Combine Google maps with Youtube to introduce students to the seven wonders of the world. Demo works better in Firefox. - Box.net demo
Leverage all sorts of widgets from the web. This is an online storage site. You can extend what you can add to your course. - Chat room
Add chat features to your course. - Virtual world
Make a virtual world part of your rapid elearning course. Requires downloading the virtual world player. - Web Objects Overview
From the Rapid Elearning Blog
Events
- Everyday. Check out the weekly training webinars to learn more about Rise, Storyline, and instructional design.
Free E-Learning Resources
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Want to learn more? Check out these articles and free resources in the community. |
Here’s a great job board for e-learning, instructional design, and training jobs |
Participate in the weekly e-learning challenges to sharpen your skills |
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Get your free PowerPoint templates and free graphics & stock images. |
Lots of cool e-learning examples to check out and find inspiration. |
Getting Started? This e-learning 101 series and the free e-books will help. |
