![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - instructional designers united with the serious elearning manifesto](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/UNITED.png)
Had a great trip last week to Sydney and got to meet many of the blog readers I’ve corresponded with over the years. If you haven’t attended an iDesignX conference, I recommend doing so. You get to meet many of your peers and sit in on some good presentations.
As I was returning home I ran into Dr. Werner Oppelbaumer at the Los Angeles airport. We had a few moments to chat about the state of the industry and what’s new in his research.
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - tom asks about the serious elearning manifesto](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/tom_1a.jpg)
There’s a lot going on in our industry. What trends do you see when it comes to online training?
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - dr werner oppelbaumer explains the serious elearning manifesto](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/werner1a.jpg)
There is a lot of talk about MOOCs. The idea is very interesting but many of the courses are like old-school lectures put online. Their biggest challenge is a lack of identity coupled with reaching the next generation who have grown up on games.
At Werner Labs we’ve come up with a solution for both. As all trainers know, good training starts with a good logo. Don’t waste time trying to teach anything without an appropriate logo. Besides, if you don’t have a logo what will you put on your slides?
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - MOOC logo](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/mooc-dukem.png)
Werner labs created a prototype logo to build the MOOC brand and reach young people. We created a gamified logo to attract the young generation who only know how to play games and complain that their Red Bulls are too warm.
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - tom asks about the serious elearning manifesto again](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/tom_1a.jpg)
That’s interesting. I am sure that the gamification angle will pay dividends. Speaking of MOOCs, I’ve read that they have a very high drop off after initial enrollment. Any thoughts on how that can be fixed?
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - dr werner oppelbaumer explains the serious elearning manifesto](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/werner1a.jpg)
Yes. At Werner Labs we created a MOOC Collar™. When you enroll in a course we send a reminder collar which is connected to your course’s MOOC app. If participation drops, the instructor can send a friendly reminder. You can test the MOOC Collar™ app here
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - MOOC iOS app](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/mooc-app.png)
Click here to test the application.
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - tom asks about the serious elearning manifesto and one more time](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/tom_1a.jpg)
Speaking of courses, there’s been a lot of buzz in the elearning community concerning the elearning manifesto. It addresses some issues with the current state of elearning and seems to cover a lot of the key points you’ve been pushing the last 40 years. What are your thoughts?
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - dr werner oppelbaumer explains the serious elearning manifesto](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/werner1a.jpg)
I actually just delivered a presentation concerning something similar. That’s why I was in Los Angeles. But here are a few quick thoughts. You can view my presentation below.
Impressive Logo. As I mentioned before, good training starts with a good logo. It looks like the manifesto team spent valuable time agreeing on a solid logo. I am sure that it was a challenge just getting to a consensus on the spelling of elearning eLearning.
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - understanding the serious elearning manifesto](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/elearning-manifesto.logo-1.png)
Great presentation. When I first heard the hoopla I was concerned that the elearning experts were going to take me through some sort of interactive asynchronous learning experience. But I was mistaken.
I’m glad they decided to go with the tried-and-true formula of a synchronous meeting where they lectured and read their slides. It was so refreshing. I just leaned back in the chair, closed my eyes, and soaked it all up.
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - the serious elearning manifesto](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/elearning-manifesto-screen.png)
I will add that they did miss a golden opportunity to create an acronym to help us better remember the principles.
Creative Commons. Since the manifesto is under a Creative Commons license we are free to use it as we wish, even for commercial purposes. As you know Werner Labs is a for-profit enterprise and we are already working on manifesto-licensed merchandise.
The first two products are a winter coat inspired by East German manifesto writers of the past and Manifesto Pesto, a nice tasty pasta sauce.
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - the serious elearning manifesto gear](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/manifesto-signature.png)
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - tom asks about the serious elearning manifesto the last time](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/tom_1a.jpg)
Interesting observations. As always, thanks for the time and letting me post your presentation below. I’m sure we’ll learn something new.
![Articulate Rapid E-Learning Blog - dr werner oppelbaumer explains the serious elearning manifesto in this presentation](https://rapid-elearning-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/0314/werner-serious.png)
Click here to view Dr. Werner’s presentation.
Have a great day!
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