eLearning

1. eLearning Hava Haberfeld WW Documentation and Training Development Manager, Creo May 2005

2. Topics • eLearning for techies • What is it? Difference between methods, platforms, and tools • eLearning development: methods and tools • CBT, WBT • Do-it-in-house, rapid eLearning • Blended learning • Web collaboration, live eLearning (webinars) • EPSS, wizards, simulations, games, videos • eLearningplatforms • LMS, LCMS • Internet training portals • Closed content and technology training systems • eLearning buzzwords • Informal knowledge exchange • Best practices for translation

3. eLearning for techies • eLearning: “Any intentional learning activitydelivered via interactive electronic media” • Typical audiences: customers or end users of hi-tech products and service or sales personnel supporting and selling these products • Difference between methodologies, platforms, and tools • Methodologies: CBT, WBT, rapid eLearning, blended learning, and more • Platforms: LMS, LCMS, training portals, and more • Tools: Flash, Shockwave, RoboDemo, Captivate, and more

4. eLearning development: CBT • CBT (computer-based training) is a standalone course on CD-ROM; CBTs were first developed in the early 90s. • Courses were interactive, with branching, simulations, feedback, videos, and animation. • Development was expensive and time consuming, and courses were hard to upgrade.

5. eLearning development: WBT • WBT (Web-based training, or eLearning): Learning can be conducted “anywhere, anytime” as long as a browser-based Web connection is available. • Longer shelf life: Updates can be implemented once on a server instead of at each training location. • Downside: Bandwidth is a limitation to media richness (streaming video). • Wait time denigrates the learning experience.

7. eLearning development:Rapid eLearning • Do-it-in-house, or rapid eLearning: a small amount of off-the-shelf courseware and a large amount of custom-developed software that is 100% specific to the organization • Examples: • In-house workshops • Videotapes • Printed training materials • Presentations converted to online format

8. eLearning development: Blended learning • A combination of delivery methods that leverage the strength of each method for every content type • A complete package that can include self-paced and classroom learning; live Web-based classrooms; videotapes; one-on-one coaching; and more

9. eLearning development: Webinars • Live eLearning and Web collaboration: Experts share their knowledge: • Live session: synchronous • Recorded session: asynchronous • Examples include live distance classes, virtual seminars or webinars, meeting communities of practice, and so on.

11. eLearning development:EPSS, wizards, simulations, games • EPSS: electronic performance support systems • Wizards and context-sensitive online help • Simulations, learning games, videos

12. eLearning platforms: LMS • LMS (learning management system): a solution for delivering training to many locations and enabling learner evaluation • Student administration and data reporting system: off the shelf or created in house • Automated administration of CBTs and Web-based training: • Launching and tracking of courses • Reports • Online collaboration consisting of discussions, chat rooms, news and document posting, and so on

14. eLearning platforms:Downside of LMS • LMSs don’t do what was expected! • Not plug and play—industry standards are too loose (SCORM, AICC). • ROI of LMS implementation is difficult to calculate. • Administration that LMS provides is too generic; in most cases, it needs further customization.

15. eLearning platforms:LMS, LCMS, VCS

16. eLearning platforms: LCMS • Authoring tools are usually linked to an LMS system. • Testing and follow-up of learner’s performance are embedded in the training program.

18. eLearning platforms:Internet training portals • Internet training portals: one-stop shops for e-commerce of courseware both online and offline • Vertically focused portals, or vortals: offer their own content (corporate “universities,” McGraw-Hill, SkillSoft, DigitalThink, and so forth) • Downside: Massive eLearning content is not designed to serve specific business needs, and instructional quality is poor.

21. eLearning platforms:closed content & technology systems • Available as packaged content with customization (customer logos on external portal interface) • May be more economical and efficient than developing complete in-house systems • Must be performance-driven and shaped around business-critical requirements

22. eLearning buzzwords • Learning organizations: Represent a move from learning as reactive, isolated events to learning as a sustainable, proactive process in the organization • Knowledge management: Uses internal knowledge in all forms to sustain the learning career of every employee • Both trends imply a closer link with HR for job definitions, compensation, career paths, and certification.

23. eLearning buzzwords: Informal knowledge exchange • Part of the knowledge management trend: training without trainers through informal knowledge exchange • Knowledge from organization’s experts collected in documents; resulting knowledge base is indexed and structured • Expert systems for capturing the tacit knowledge in an organization

26. Best practices for translation • Use Unicode-supporting tools such as HTML, XML, Captivate, Flash MX 2004, and Shockwave. • Store text in external database or XML files to be read into the WBT during runtime; this method facilitates translation and management. • Avoid text within graphics. • Keep clean, organized, and updated scripts for all WBTs. • Leave extra space for character-consuming languages such as German and Spanish. • Outsource large translation jobs to established vendors, which provide experts to address the many specific issues in each language.