e-Learning Resources
What Is e-Learning?
Let’s address the question on most people’s minds: “What is e-Learning?” e-Learning is learning that can take place anytime and anywhere, whether the delivery is online or offline, CD or DVD. Learning topics can include how to use a software application, how to use a piece of hardware or machinery, include soft skills such as customer service, or review company policies and/or procedures.
Some of the terms you may be familiar with are CBT and WBT, computer-based training and web-based training respectively. e-Learning allows your employees to learn at their own pace, no pressure or time restraints, no time away from their daily job tasks, and no costly traveling expenses for the company.
Users can stop, pause, rewind, fast forward and much more in CBT. CBT is usually output in Flash or HTML on a server (i.e. Intranet), an LMS (or Learning Management System), or the Internet.
On the other hand, WBT allows the user to have a “live” instructor guide them through the learning as well as allowing them to demonstrate the skills they just learned in various exercises, discussions, and even polls. Some of the platforms used for WBT are WebEx, Go to Meeting, Go to Webinar, and Adobe Connect.
How Do YOU Learn?
Most people tend to retain more data with visuals when learning, rather than paragraphs of black text on a white background. But the key is to have a balance of text and white space, and to have visuals that are relevant to the content on the page. Consider the following questions:
- Are you the type of learner who enjoys learning a new system application with a brightly colored user guide with screenshots, callouts and arrows?
- Do you need to have a live person guide you through the process step-by-step in a classroom environment?
- Or maybe you like self-paced learning; completing interactive tutorials online that include audio and animation?
Pictures, color, and graphics are definitely more captivating then black and white text, but are you retaining more information? Statistics show that this is actually true. Dr. Ruth Clark actually believes that a balance of white space and graphics/images on the page significantly improve learner retention rates.
If you are implementing a new training plan for your organization be sure to find out how your users/clients or employees learn best. Call in a professional, such as GCLS, for a needs analysis before you throw away those hard earned Training and Development dollars. e-Learning may be the way to go or perhaps a simple job aide is all you need.
How Do We Measure and Evaluate Our Learning?
There are many ways we can “measure learning." We can initiate pre and post testing before and after training. We can use interactive quizzes, multiple choice questions, case studies, and even interactive games!
The point of measuring is not to see if the learner can recite the definition of a term, spew out a list of steps, or even put a sequence of steps in the right order. The point of measuring is whether or not the user can apply the knowledge they have learned to their job. Interactive measurements or activities should test the learner on specific tasks that they need to know in order to do their job more efficiently. Case Studies and role-playing re-enacting real work situations will empower the user to solve problems and be a successful decision-maker in their job role.
Be sure that your e-Learning Development provider gives you more than just a list of multiple choice and true/false questions. Get the most out of your e-Learning with "Measurable" results. Follow-ups every six months are a great way to see if your learners are retaining the information from your online training programs! This will ensure any problem areas can be addressed in a follow-up training course on a particular topic.
Evaluations can be focused on the instructor/trainer (if applicable) or knowledge-based, or perhaps even both. An example of this form of evaluation is Post-testing. You can find out more about pre and post testing at http://www.icbl.hw.ac.uk/ltdi/cookbook/info_pre_and_post/index.html.
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