The eLearning Guild runs a great set of Online Forums (standard disclaimers about my involvement). They’re offering one tomorrow and Friday on Creating Innovative Instructional Content – Advanced Theory and Application, and for mysterious reasons needed a pinch-hitter. So, my involvement continues, and I’ll be on Friday at 10:15-11:30 Pacific Time, talking about Deeper Instructional Design.
This is a topic that I continually see a need for, sad to say. As I just wrote for the blurb: “The evidence is clear; it‘s too easy to find eLearning with a rote knowledge focus, verbose writing, boring introductions, fact recitation, useless examples, meaningless practice, and a consequent rapid atrophy of the experience. What we want is meaningful outcomes, and what we get is a painful experience to be avoided.”
What I’ll be doing is working through the various components of instructional design: intro, concept, example, practice, and summary (which don’t have to be used in this order, but there’s only so much a person can cover in one presentation), and talking about the cognitive and motivational underpinnings that make these elements work. For each, I’ve specific ways to improve. It’s not necessarily new, but too few folks seem to know about it! Yet the research points to greater learning outcomes.
I’ll be in good company; the line-up of speakers has some known names, and some important topics. Problem-Based Learning is definitely noteworthy, as are the Semantic Web and Competencies & Roles, and I’m personally intrigued by Video Interactive Learning Objects. The other sessions promise similarly interesting ways to rethink design. Karen Hyder coordinates the presentations, and she is great at making sure that presenters are comfortable and presenting effectively. So, if you’re looking for greater depth and quality in your elearning, I recommend the forum. A great conference from your own browser in two half-day sessions! Hope to see you there.
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