eLearning

Steps of the eLearning Development Process

eLearning is an efficient way of delivering education through online means. eLearning is the use of technology to enable people to learn anywhere and anytime. It is learning utilizing electronic devices to access educational curriculum outside of a traditional classroom. In most cases, it refers to a course or program delivered completely online. There is a sequence of steps that any eLearning development process must undergo. Thus, in this article we shall discuss the steps of the eLearning development process.

Steps Of The eLearning Development Process:

eLearning development process can be best understood in the form of the ADDIE Model which first appeared in the year 1975. The model is the generic process traditionally used by instructional designers and training developers. The steps of the eLearning development process according to this model are:

• A- Analysis: Analysis is usually the first step when it comes to the eLearning development process. Here you should be able to analyse the learning content, profiles of the people, and the objectives of learning. Make a strategy based on the tasks to be accomplished and come up with an appropriate and effective way of presenting the content. Further analysis should be made of the needs and expectations of the users, and various ways in which they can be fulfilled

• D- Design: At this stage it is decided how the content can be broken down into small chunks of information and organised in a logical and effective sequence. Once the topic list is ready, determine an instructional approach for the course in line with the scope defined during the analysis. Each eLearning course has to be created using a unique design strategy. The design phase should be systematic and specific

• D- Development: In the development phase, the developers create and assemble the content assets that were created in the design phase. The project is reviewed and revised according to any feedback given. Important elements to be used in the course are picked out and a functional prototype is created. A lot of writing, rewriting and revisions take place at this stage. A fully functional course is presented for approval

• I-Implementation: The implementation phase involves a procedure for training the facilitators and the learners. Preparation of the learners include training them on new tools and platform and also getting their registration. The project manager ensures that everything is in place and the learning application or website is functional. Feedback is incorporated into the course and uploaded

• E- Evaluation: Next is the Evaluation stage where the quality of the developed course is tested to ensure accuracy of functionality as well as content. Evaluation phase has two parts: Summative and Formative. Summative evaluation consists of tests designed for specific criteria and providing opportunities for feedback from the users. Summative evaluation is done at the end of the course

At the end, through the variety of steps of the eLearning development process, learners get a course that helps them get high quality and effective learning content. To summarise, a good eLearning course can be developed once the requirements of the learners are analysed and an effective learning strategy to share knowledge is devised.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT FOR ELEARNING

At its most basic level, content development refers to the process of finding, writing, gathering, compiling and revising information for publication on websites. Content is something that is expressed through some medium, such as speech, writing, audio, video or any of various arts for self-expression, marketing and/or advertisement. Content creation is described as the creation of something that people contribute to the online world. In this article, we are going to talk about content development for eLearning.

Steps for eLearning Content Development

The following steps can be followed for content development for eLearning –

• Set Clear Goals – To make sure your eLearning content is really going to connect with the audience, the very first step of the content development is to make sure what you’re looking to achieve. This stage can be called the capture stage, as it’s about capturing the problems, goals and audience profiles for the online course. The most successful eLearning courses take time to research the audience. This will help in making sure that the project is moving in the right direction for impact
• Develop a Design Vision – Once you have clarity of goals, the next stage of effective content development for eLearning is to work out how to meet these goals. The best way of doing this is collaboratively, to help get the creative juices flowing. Think about what types of activities, content, experiences, tools and exercises are most likely to work for the audience and goals. Once you’ve got the concept ready, then prototype
• Create your Content – At this stage, be careful of those long, detailed documents and PowerPoint presentations that your subject matter experts (SME) may hand your way. Use your design model as the design outline, and use your SME to put value into the learning experiences you’re setting out to create. Collaborate with them to capture meaningful content that will work with the approach you’ve laid out in your design outline. Communicate what content you need from them; don’t just hand over your design for them to fill in the gaps
• Analyze and Iterate – As a part of content development for eLearning, you must make room for reviewing the course performance, gathering feedback and making improvements if necessary. This is key to making sure your eLearning course is engaging, working for your learners and actually achieving the targets as expected. Many modern authoring tools and platforms come with built-in analytics dashboards, that help track performance
• Measure Results and Optimize – The effort, analysis and creativity required to make an effective eLearning course can sometimes feel distant from the commercially-savvy mindset needed to drive revenue. In fact, thinking commercially at the start of a new course and incorporating plans for scalability can open up more opportunities. You should be in a position to be able to report on the success and reliability of the eLearning content that you released. But this step is also about thinking through how you can optimize the value, and how this success can be continued

There may be various goals for creating content. The contents are created to teach, to inform, to inspire and motivate, to persuade, to entertain, to start a conversation, to express an opinion, to spark a controversy or to share industry knowledge or resources. Certainly, possessing effective content development provides a list of benefits for a business of any size, field of work and target audience.

Entice your client with interactive eLearning content development services

Interactive eLearning content development services occurs with the integration and smooth functioning of the three main domains. The development of storyboards, the transition of the raw material to make it more refined, development of eLearning using various rapid authoring tools.

Storyboard plays a vital role in acting as a map that guides the eLearning professional around the hurdles of the eLearning course design. The eLearning storyboard ensures efficient development and designing of the of the course as they do not just aid the eLearning professional to depict their concepts but also serves as a platform to yield interactive and visually fascinating experiences to their clientele. Storyboard becomes an imperative foundation to bring about a structure to the eLearning course. While storyboard has the role of acting as the foundation, it is also vital in contributing to the interactive eLearning content development services. It refers to deciding the interactive multimedia to be used to being detailed while storyboarding interactions (integrating the interactions into the final design). Interaction is defined by navigating the user around the course as well as making it appealing to ensure engagement and commitment of the user. The storyboard would include the draft with all the text, interactions and the navigations. At the least, it is expected to silhouette the teaching objectives, text narrative audio and the type of media to be used for each screen.

Now, the content, such as power point presentations etc is converted to the eLearning course. There are two options. Either the company decides to use the existing material or develop material from scratch according to the services they provide or this relies on the pace they have to deliver the course. However, to make the existing static material more dynamic, engaging and interactive in nature, it would involve the expertise of an instructional designer. The instructional designer also ensures that the material is refined further. Interactive eLearning content development services would include quiz to review what has been learned. This is one of the simpler ways to make learning more interactive. To create a more complex interactive learning course may require more time and resources. Interactive learning courses use more media to ensure the delivery of the learning. The highly interactive learning courses are followed by graphics, videos, audio, scenarios and sometimes even gamification (this is an upcoming trend). This requires a high degree of interaction by the user. The course may include avatars, simulation, games etc.

The final domain of the interactive eLearning content development services would include rapid eLearning authoring tools. Rapid eLearning authoring tools are adopted by most eLearning professional to design interactive and immersive eLearning content. They are design platforms that are either web-based or locally hosted that give the eLearning professionals an opportunity to create the ultimate eLearning experience. When we speak of interactive and immersive content, it refers to interactive eLearning scenarios to multimedia presentation or educational comic strips. HTML5 authoring tools is the latest authoring tools that provides an interactive multimedia content.

Tips to Develop Engaging Online eLearning

The rapid progress in technology and advancements in learning systems are now embraced by the masses. eLearning is a rapidly growing industry which refers to learning through electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a traditional classroom. It is training provided via a computer, mobile phone or other digital device, allowing technology to facilitate learning anytime, anywhere. In this article we are going to discuss how to develop engaging online eLearning.

Why does engaging online eLearning matter?

Below are some tips and strategies on how to develop engaging online eLearning:

• Keep Learning Modules Relevant and On Topic – The attention span of a learner is much shorter as the learning module. Online courses are taken in the first place because learners do not have abundance of time at their disposal, and eLearning is convenient and easily accessible. More often, they are going to access online information when its most convenient, which means information is clear, on point and bite sized at the same time. An ideal eLearning lesson should not exceed more than 15 to 20 minutes, and if the topic is a complex one then it must be broken into meaningful sections that are easily digestible
• Focus on Visual Appeal – It is a known fact that images, videos and other multimedia with a visual appeal remain etched to our memory for a longer duration of time as compared to text and numbers. An eLearning program that has a variety of multimedia that is aesthetically appealing is way more interactive and engaging as compared to programs dependent on text only. Representing text in images and videos is more attractive and keeps the learner interested. Use font that is unique and attractive, set the tone and theme of the topic and use colors that highlight the important matter and contrast with similar topics. Such multimedia help in retaining information easily and effectively as compared to text
• Encourage Online Group Collaborations – Get learners communicating with each other even if the eLearning program is based on asynchronous learning. By collaborating with one another, learners gain insight into others experiences as well as knowledge which helps them enhance their own skills and widen information base. Start group discussions on online forums, encourage learners to solve problems via online group chats and also integrate social media sites to the e-learning program or lesson. Group collaborations provide the human element of face-to-face learning which is otherwise missing in a eLearning program and helps in gaining in depth knowledge of any topic
• Create Reality Based Scenarios – The most powerful tool that is at disposal when developing engaging online eLearning is creating reality-based eLearning scenarios. An eLearning course is fully successful when information is effectively understood and retained into memory by the learner. This is possible when the learner is able to form a connection with the online training experience. Even though learners might not connect with a program on the personal level, they should be able to relate to it professionally. Integrating examples and stories that an individual confronts in daily life or is familiar with, can enhance the learning process
• Integrate Interactive Elements – Most Learning Management Systems (LMS) include various tools that facilitate interaction in an online program. Interaction is one of the essentials due to the lack of personal contact. Including simple quizzes, question and answers after each program can enhance engagement. Also, presentations, videos and pop ups can work to make a lesson more interactive and engaging. Discussion boards also prove to be helpful in facilitating interaction between learners making the learning experience more interesting and knowledgeable.

Overall, strategies and tools related to how to develop engaging online eLearning can work if one gains insight into how the user learns and how technology can be used to make e-learning programs more engaging and interacting. Student engagement increases student satisfaction, motivates to learn and improves overall performance in online courses. Hence, online courses can easily be made interactive and engaging if the right use of technology is learnt and executed.

How does HTML5 eLearning content development services captivate your attention?

HTML5 eLearning content development services are desired by most eLearning experts for various reasons. To explore this, we need to explore HTML5 as a content development service.

HTML5 is a mark-up language for structuring and posing of the content for the WWW (World Wide Web) and acts as a vital technology for the internet. The fifth version of the HTLM standard is the HTML5. The main reason for updating it was to improve the language which supports the latest multimedia while concentrating to assure easy readability for both the users and the computer or devices. Many of the feature that transpires with HTML5 eLearning content development services revolve around it being constructed for the purpose of ensuring it functions on low powered devices too such as mobiles and tablets for enhancing its accessibility. eLearning experts opt for HMTL5 based content as it facilitates multimedia content which contributes to the appealing factor as well as to ensure the content is easily delivered in terms of learning. It also ensures easy portability of the corresponding content or course to various other platforms if necessary.

Organizations try to be as relevant as possible when it comes to offering technological services. Hence, the most recent and current web HTML5 is rapidly transpiring as the de facto standard for content development, with domestic support for explorable and interactive multimedia content that makes it easier and appealing for the client. HTML5 eLearning content development services have a rich and adaptable, user-friendly interface. It is easy to comprehend. It’s versatility and ability to be flexible makes it important and most pursued tools.

The most basic reason for eLearning professionals to opt for HTML5 is due to massive shift observed in the increase of the usage of mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. This is supported and followed by the advent of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). The Cisco BYOD Insight Report revealed that 9 out of 10 Americans utilize their smartphones to commit better to their work. Since learning through the mobile seems more reasonable to the client, eLearning is shifting its focus to ensuring learning occurs through the mobile. However, mobile devices do not support Adobe Flash which paved way for the increased demand for HTML5 eLearning content. Moreover, HTML5 eLearning courses actually consume less CPU space and use optimum battery power which helps us conclude that it runs more faster and efficiently than Flash-base courses. HTML5 also offers offline storage and data management, that is they provide such services even when the user does not have access to internet.

HTML5 eLearning authoring tools contributes to the entirety of content development services and play a vital role in the development of the eLearning courses. Some of the companies that offer HTML5 authoring tools are listed below:

Articulate Storyline 360 – They claim quick simulation building tools which ensure it as one of sincere HTML5 authoring tools.

GOMO Learning – Their HTML5 eLearning authoring tools aid the content developers to construct fascinating and interactive eLearning experience.

There are various other such HTML5 authoring tools. The HTML5 eLearning content development services are making quite the mark in the eLearning industry with its multiple enticing features that trumps most other platforms.

TOOLS FOR ELEARNING CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

Modern technologies are changing the way we produce and deliver digital learning – with eLearning content development tools becoming an increasingly popular choice. A content development tool is a piece of software that enables the creation of various forms of digital content. This content could be as simple as creating a Microsoft Word document, or as complex as a graphic design tool. eLearning content development tools are most commonly used by instructional designers in L&D teams to create training materials for their users. In this article we are going to talk about various content development tools and their role in eLearning.

Tools for eLearning Content Development

Tools for eLearning content development and authoring tools come in many shapes and sizes. Some of the tools for eLearning content development are mentioned below:

1. Composica – This is a content development tool with a strong focus on smooth collaboration. Composica enables you to work with your team members straightforwardly and clearly. You can add different users in this software, assign tasks, and always have the most up-to-date version of your content at hand. It also has competitive pricing so it’s a relatively inexpensive option for a business.
2. Knowbly – If one is looking for a simple, yet powerful authoring tool, knowbly is one to go for. This tool has got all the features eLearning content development needs like quick customizability, drag and drop content creation, mobile-responsive, and more. The platform also enables you to easily organize all of your content within one system so you’ll always stay up to date and never lose track of your assets.
3. Lectora Online – Lectora is a cloud and a Windows-based solution. It is an eLearning content development tool that works well for SCORM content. This means that making voiceovers, screen recordings, image editing, and more is made even more simple.
4. Gomo – Self-described as “mobile-first”, gomo is another simple tool for elearning content development. It’s a very useful solution for beginners wanting to create content that is mobile-responsive, as it has a drag and drop interface. Another bonus for beginners is that it has media assets on offer that are visually attractive and can help you make your content more engaging, creative and inspiring.
5. Easygenerator – Described as “all-in-one eLearning software”, Easygenerator has lots of impressive features to help you make engaging elearning content. It’s another top option for amateurs as no coding is needed. And, it’s super user-friendly, so you can easily create your content. It’s also an LMS authoring tool that’s compatible with most solutions, meaning you shouldn’t have any issues using this with the platform of your choice.
6. DominKnow ONE – DominKnow ONE is a diverse authoring tool that can help you make lots of various types of elearning content. As one would expect, DominKnow ONE works well at making mobile responsive content and is very convenient for teams to use while working on some project together. The task of publishing and distributing content is simple, and with everything in one place, it’s effortless to keep track of all of your course content.

There’s a lot of overlap in the functionality of the best tools for elearning content development shown here, but an organization’s requirements – such as the quality and scale at which it wants to produce digital learning – will narrow down the shortlist. Ultimately, which is the best elearning software for an organization and its team will depend on its needs and objectives.

The battle of the synchronous and asynchronous eLearning tools.

Synchronous and asynchronous communication tools are utilized to facilitate participation among students and groups of people which is generally complied in an eLearning environment. However, until recently eLearning was developed by relying on asynchronous learning which has been shifted to synchronous as well with the aid of improvements in technology and with a drive to expand the horizons for eLearning.

Asynchronous eLearning is commonly aided by media such as e-mail, for example, e-mail, discussion boards, support work relations among learners and with teachers even when the students or learners who cannot be report online at the coinciding time (synchronous nature). It is there vital as acting as the key component for flexible eLearning. Considerable amount of people depends on asynchronous eLearning as they have asynchronous time, collaborating education with jobs, family or other components.

Synchronous eLearning is generally promoted and encouraged by multimedia such as videoconferencing and chat, which has the potential to help eLearners in the evolution and improvement of learning communities. Learners and the teachers experience synchronous eLearning to be more social and ensure that the learners queries and instantly attended to. It is believed that in synchronous eLearning session, the eLearners feel like they are participants and not isolates.

Quite a few of the asynchronous and the synchronous eLearning tools overlap. However, they differ by how they offer or provide the services. Some of tools that overlap are:

Blackboard and WebCT offers message board forum, chats, email and wiki.

Elluminate provides services such as whiteboarding, VoIP, chat and video.

Evernote offers organizing and categorizing information and file sharing.

Go To Meeting and Zoho offers whiteboarding, chat, VoIP and video.

Edmodo offers SNS and chat.

Facebook, Myspace and Nexopia provides services like SNS and chat in social websites.

Google apps offers emails, video and text chat, file and calendar sharing.

Moodle provides CMS, forum and chat.

RealtimeBoard and Mural offers chat, video chat, whiteboard and file sharing.

Voice Thread facilitates synchronous and asynchronous eLearning through file sharing, audio and video chat.

While the method of facilitating the synchronous and asynchronous eLearning tools may come across as similar, the costs may swing between high maintenance or efficient. They also differ in the scheme of implementation as in how they go about facilitating the tools.

Some of distinctive asynchronous eLearning tools are:

Adobe Captivate is a smart asynchronous eLearning tool to create completely responsive eLearning courses, which is accessible across various devices.  It is quite productive as it is devised to design all types of content (simulations, HD Demos, assessments and more) and also to create storyboards.

Camtasia aids in soft skills training, compliance training and such through really attractive PowerPoint presentation along with multiple video windows that enhances learning by grabbing their attention. Along with assessment and scoring facilities, it provides an everyday report on the student. It is also easy to access and deliver the courses.

ADAPT is a server-based web application that aids in the swift development of responsive eLearning course or content. The responsive content development is HTML5 content. The content can be produced with the in-house themes as well as themes that are personally customised. ADAPT has sufficient range of interactions and assessment features.

MediaWiki utilizes wiki (free open sources) to multiple users. This independently functions only as an asynchronous eLearning tool utilizing its principles.

Popplet and Padlet employs collaborative brainstorming. In this the users can organize, make connections and comment on ideas in a collaborative concept web (Popplet) or through virtual sticky notes (Padlet).

Some of the independent synchronous eLearning tools are:

Messenger, as the name suggests, offers eLearning facilitation through chat. It functions through instant chatting/messaging with no fee affiliated.

Skype uses VoIP and video chats is available free but bears some paid features that have its own advantages. It is available across multiple platforms such as Linus, Windows MacOS etc and can also be run on multiple handheld devices making it easily accessible for the learner.

In asynchronous tools talk about developing eLearning using Captivate, Articulate, Camtasia, ADAPT etc. 

E-learning Authoring Tool

The task of an authoring tool is to create the development of eLearning material as simple as possible. They offer you the ability to create interactive courses without developing a complete technical knowledge of the process for your learners.

Typically, you can upload your assets and begin slotting them together with a full-fledged authoring tool. The unit will tend to be split into a sequence of slides that will allow the learner to work through, and you will be able to jumble them in whatever order you like. You should even be able to create branches so that the actions of a learner in the unit dictate what content they see.

Most authoring instruments enable you to package and export your project as a SCORM or AICC file, usually a. ZIP file. Nearly every LMS will be equipped to manage eLearning in this format, so you can deliver it to your learners without any difficulty once you upload your file!

Types of Authoring Tool

Authoring instruments come in a variety of forms and sizes, so you should be able to discover something that suits your requirements as well as your level of competence. There are three types of e-learning authoring tools:

PowerPoint Plugins

The PowerPoint plugin is the easiest end of the authoring tool spectrum, allowing you to convert your slides into a working eLearning unit.

It’s fast and simple, particularly if you have a lot of material based on PowerPoint already. But with a fully-fledged authoring instrument, you will discover yourself more restricted than you would, and will be held back by what PowerPoint itself can do.

Stand-alone Authoring Tool

Instead of being an add-on to another item, these are complete solutions on their own. These tools will be provided with complete function sets, enabling an adept user to produce the content precisely as they intend.

One of the setbacks of the tools is that they it will require you to do some training as you can get the most out of them, i.e., they have formidable learning curve than plug-ins.

Specialist Authoring Tools

Specialist authoring tools are particularly utilized when one Is precisely aware of what is needed. For example, if you are running your first mobile training program, you want a tool that focuses on creating content that is optimized for mobile devices.

However, if you are keen on developing some engaging games, then a game-based authoring tool is required.

Key Elements of a Good E-Learning Authoring Tool

The following features facilitate the whole process and these features are present in the software used for their development:

User-friendly and intuitive interface

The design of the interface of the e-learning authoring tool makes it easy to navigate through the menu and all the significant component are visible on the screen. It is intuitive in the sense that the information and tools required are easy to find and use.

Responsive and adaptive content design

The content created should be device friendly, i.e., applicable for use in any device. The content create through the e-learning authoring tool should be adaptive or responsive to achieve this. Responsive refers to the development of a module that can be run on any device without any interruptions. Adaptive content is not as functional, but it is adapted to the width of the browser and displays the text in the appropriate format.

Simplicity and functionality 

The e-learning course creation should be simple. Similarly, the tools should be helpful, easy to use, and the information used should be comprehensible. Further, the authoring tools can combine all the components and functions required to create the desired final product.

Fundamentals Of A Microlearning Strategy

Think about where you get most of your awareness nowadays. Most likely, it would be from something short and catchy, maybe a poster or a video, you saw on the internet, rather than from reading a book or newspaper. This, in short, is what microlearning strategy is all about; small chunks of information provided in an engaging and interactive way.

Different Ways To Use Microlearning Strategies

Microlearning strategies refers to presenting learning in short chunks of 3-5 minutes long (or even shorter), with a specific focus and to meet a specific learning purpose. It can be used for both formal and informal learning with the aim of improving employee performance. Below are some of the ways through which microlearning strategies are best suited to be part of a bigger course:

• Gamified Learning – Microlearning chunks can be used as gamified, situation-based learning, developed specially for the mobile app format, to supplement the larger eLearning course. Learners will be required to make necessary choices as per the situation to advance through the course. Apart from making the learning process fun, this microlearning strategy also gives learners a practical application of their knowledge from the main course. This validates concepts and results in better knowledge retention. The gamified scenario is tailor-made to befit organizational goals
• Short Videos – Videos use high-impact, topic-specific visuals to reinforce ideas delivered in the larger eLearning course. Use videos to depict situations to help customers connect with their learning better. Video-based scenarios combine the interactivity and power of two very strong learning mediums, creating a lasting influence in the minds of learners. The videos can be paused or played back as required, to get a better grasp of the subject matter. Simple whiteboard animation videos can also be used to break up difficult or boring concepts from the larger eLearning course
• Interactive PDFs/eBooks – Nothing is more annoying than going through a lengthy document on the small screen size of your smartphone. A microlearning module that uses an interactive PDF or eBook saves you from reading extensive documents on your phone or tablet. Interactive PDFs or eBooks have information from the larger eLearning course packaged in small chunks. Make eBooks multi-document consistent to ensure that all your learners get the same flawless experience across all their devices
• Infographics – Using infographics as microlearning strategy, is perfect for catering to short attention spans and offering quick reference materials. Infographics convey the essence of the larger eLearning course that learners might have just conducted. It clarifies the main points from the course and presents it in a visually attractive manner. The minimum use of text and attractive visuals helps the learner digest information quickly to effectively reinforce the larger chunk of information they just witnessed. Infographic microlearning modules greatly increase the value of the main course by enclosing all the key points once more in a single glance. Owing to its appealing packaging, learners never hesitate from viewing an infographic

Microlearning is no doubt, the future of learning. Modern learners have little time and their attention span is short. They need bite-sized information that is focused, and can be absorbed quickly at any point of time, on any device. To achieve this required result, microlearning must be efficient and engaging.

MICRO LEARNING SOLUTIONS

Microlearning is training delivered in small, short bursts which enables trainers to be more agile in responding quickly to a learner’s immediate needs. It deals with short term focused learning giving just the right amount of knowledge. Microlearning involves short- term focused strategies especially designed for skill-based learning. Simply, microlearning refers to micro-perspectives of learning. In a wider sense, it can be understood as a metaphor which refers to micro aspects of a variety of learning models and processes. Thus, in this article we shall discuss about the concept of microlearning.

What is mirolearning?

The current attention span of a human is about 8 seconds and microlearning takes advantage of this human trait. It is learning done in small bits as opposed to eLearning solutions which are larger chunks of information. Microlearning ranges from a single sentence of knowledge right up to 3 or 4 minutes of an interactive video and information from these tiny bits of learning leafs to better performances. Microlearning lets learners select and use assets most applicable to their present needs on whatever device is most handy, making the training even more relevant to their work. Microlearning increases engagement, improves training and job efficiency and builds learners interest in seeking additional training opportunities. Microlearning is a planned organisation of brief learning experiences designed to meet an extended learning goal.

Characteristics of microlearning

Regardless of whether it is used informally or as a part of a structured learning experience, microlearning has a few consistent features:

• Concise – Microlearning events are short, though there is no defined duration
• Granularity – Due to their brevity and purpose, microlearning focuses on a narrow topic or idea
• Variety – Microlearning content can be in the form of a presentation, activity, game, discussion, video, quiz, book chapter, or any other format from which the user learns

Benefits of microlearning

Like any other type of learning intervention, microlearning has its strengths. Given below are some of its advantages:

• Immediate results – One of the benefits of microlearning is that it enables a person to quickly close a small knowledge or skill gap
• Budget friendly – Production cost for microlearning is much less than the cost for a major course production. The vision of microlearning is smaller
• Quick achievements – Since people can process around 4 bits of information at a time, it is easier for a learner to achieve success from a short learning intervention
• Suitable for tagging – Small chunks of instructional content can be tagged for easy search, access and reuse
• Fast-paced culture – Microlearning is a solution that busy learners will appreciate since it is not as disruptive as a day of training or even an hour or two of eLearning

Differences between eLearning and microlearning

Although eLearning and microlearning are used synonymously in many quarters, the two modes of learning differ in many respects. The major points of difference is with respect to length and variety.

The differences between eLearning and microlearning are –

• Elearning imparts deep knowledge on a subject while microlearning provides small chunks of information to learners. Elearning is used to enhance comprehension and retention while microlearning provides quick access to information usually on the go
• In eLearning, the courses are longer and broader than microlearning. The recommended duration is 20-30 minutes maximum. In microlearning, the design is completed in bite- sized modules. The recommended duration is 3-5 minutes maximum
• The difference is also of variety. Microlearning solutions make use of any learning mediums – videos, podcasts, short eLearning modules, assessments, research articles etc. eLearning does not involve this variety
• Microlearning solutions are more mobile friendly than eLearning modules. However, it depends on how responsive and interactive the design has been made so that various platforms can be used to learn these nuggets

Microlearning, in a nutshell, is a digital learning experience designed to be engaging and enjoyable. It provides bite- sized learning content in contrast to the rigid traditional model of learning. Microlearning results in greater understanding, application and retention. The workplace is evolving, and so should the training. Microlearning is the perfect solution to tap into the needs of a shifting learning environment.

E-Learning Outsourcing Projects: Points to Keep In Mind

A lot of organizations are using e-learning to train their staff. E-learning Outsourcing projects are beneficial for everyone. Not only is it cost-effective, but it also helps to assess all the risks related to a market and discover new and better markets. Certain preparatory stages are associated with E-learning projects – Analysis, Designing, Developing, Implementation, and Evaluation. You may have the power to outsource all these stages.

E-learning Outsourcing projects also include localization, hosting of LMS, implementation of LMS, localization, translation and several other such steps. It helps the organization to put more focus on the core projects. There are a lot of E-learning courses that you can learn at home. It helps us to take help from your partner vendor and give tough competition to the others in the market. Outsourcing helps to bring a more professional outlook to your courses. India is preferred as a destination for outsourcing E-learning ventures as most of its citizens know English and the turn-around time is better. But you need to keep a few points in mind before you start selecting a partner.

• Communication
  Proper communication is a key factor when it comes to E-learning Outsourcing projects. Communication means nothing but you have to share the information that you have with others. This will help in forming as well as maintaining long-lasting relationships if it is conducted in an effective way.

• Difference In Culture
  With each and every place, you get to see a different kind of approach to work. There are several differences when it comes to regional culture differences. These differences can be clearly seen in the corporate field as there are different approaches to different project.

• Data Security
  Every vendor has their own security policies regarding the information of their company. During E-learning Outsourcing projects, these policies might limit your access to that information during the process of development.

• Time Zones
  Different time zones are a critical factor when it comes to E-learning Outsourcing projects. If you are dealing with someone who works in a different time zone, then that becomes a hindrance to communication between you two. There is a delay in deliveries and attaining the pre-fixed goals.

• Experience
  You need to work for a long time in order to gain experience in outsourcing E-learning projects as it will help you to cope up with problems easily. It will help you and your company by covering the production losses and bring faster turn-around.

• Efficiency
  You have to assess your risk management skills as well as asses the skills of the company and people you are dealing with.  Try to keep a track of their mitigation measures as it will help to keep the deliveries on the right track.

• Client References
  You have to perform a background check on the vendor you are dealing with. In order to check the credibility of that vendor, you can check out the reviews about him. You can also take in mind the references that you get regarding the vendor.

Limitations of outsourcing e-learning content development

The benefits to enrolling in an eLearning course, mostly in terms of convenience and affordability, make it a rule of thumb for every organization to do away with the limitations of outsourcing eLearning content development as well as in-house the same.

On the organization’s side, once you’ve decided to move forward with eLearning, you have two options: create it in-house or outsource design and development. To save money, organizations sometimes attempt to create eLearning in-house but underestimate the knowledge, skills, and time needed to achieve an effective outcome. The final product usually does not yield the anticipated results, and they often seek outside help to “fix” or maintain it.

Taking a step back, one needs to be certain about why you want to outsource. To do away with eLearning content development outsourcing limitations, the requirement needs to be vetted for its objective – strategic vis-a-vis opportunistic.  Some of the factors supporting the cause for outsourcing would ideally include scalability (to take up work in greater volumes), a reduction in time to deliver/time to market, cutting costs, accessing talent that you do not have, enhancing your portfolio with newer, better, and more innovative solutions.

Formulating an outsourcing strategy, particularly to minimize the probable limitations of outsourcing an eLearning content development exercise, that delivers the essential value mandates the selection of the correct partner who is characterized by an understanding of the complexity involved in the design, development and implementation of various eLearning solutions. Here, an onshore partner is your access to more talent; to help you enhance your existing portfolio at a substantial cost whereas an offshore partner will be comparatively lighter on your wallet, with other gains, though you would require factoring in challenges such as time zone differences, communication, and cultural differences. Furthermore, most organizations tend opt for multiple partners as a means of insurance.

On a granular level, one needs to look at broadly two types of attributes in a prospective eLearning content development partner. The basics or must have attributes map to the typical criteria you may already be aware of such as expertise and relevant experience, project management capability (particularly for a globally distributed development), processes and development methodology, the talent pool, scalability, sound understanding of authoring tools and technology and infrastructure and measures to protect your Intellectual Property (IP).  The need of the hour attributes need to reflect the aspects that will help you manage your “learning transformation” needs of today. More significantly, they will help you lay the foundations for a long-term partnership aligned to the dynamic mandate of the future. They would include Focus on innovation, strong solution-architecting capability and agility. The absence of the above reflect the limitations of an eLearning content development outsourcing exercise.

In light of the above it makes sense to make sure to de-risk or mitigate the risks inherent with outsourcing. One may have factored for the outsourcing cost and allocated time to your Project Managers appropriately; however, lack of clarity in understanding the brief on the part of your partner may lead to multiple reworks or iterations aka hidden costs. Additionally, the pilot stage might be handled by your partner’s best talent to seize your attention and secure the contract, whereas you may well be working with a completely different team that may not match expectations, with variations in the output and inconsistency in its quality. The learning industry is very dynamic where you need to make sure that your partner is in sync with the change and aligned to your future goals to overcome the potential limitations of an outsourced eLearning content development exercise.

The Ultimate Checklist for eLearning Course Design and development

Over the past decade or more, the eLearning industry has allegedly thrived on an implied ultimate checklist for eLearning course design and development to scale new heights in terms of adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility.

That being said, ensuring that you’ve crossed off every item, to create and implement successful, effective, informative, and practical eLearning courses for learners in both educational and professional settings require a reliable evaluation tool that will accurately, systematically and objectively assess not merely its validity or efficiency but also its comprehensiveness to enable developers and instructors to fine-tune it. Reviewers, with the help of this tool, should be able to effortlessly evaluate the eLearning suitability of the course’s methodology, structure, scope and potential outcome, with respect to not only the instructor but also the audience in order to make it a more powerful and concise version of the original.

For starters, it makes sense to ensure whether course objectives are stated clearly for the eLearning recipient and that conditions and criteria for evaluation is clearly stated and elaborated for clarity of all stakeholders in this space. The course requirements must be consistent with the objectives set by the instructor along with chapters / topics thoroughly covering the course’s objectives. Furthermore, the learning objectives should ideally match the learning outcomes. The overall content and structure of the course should meet its instructional objectives. The structure plays a vital role.; the course should have a concise and comprehensive overview with examples, case studies, analogies, interactive questions etc. It should use appropriate methods and procedures to measure student mastery.

Content is king and it’s no different for an effective eLearning course to tick it off the eLearning design and development checklist. The content should flow seamlessly, without grammatical, syntactical and typing errors. It should be up-to-date and aligned with the curriculum. More importantly desirable outcomes must be incorporated in the content. Moreover, it should encourage engagement in critical and abstract thinking and maintain strict adherence and compliance with copyright laws.

Assessments form an integral part of what one would consider the ultimate eLearning design and development checklist. They must be fair, clear and effective; practice and assessment questions need to be interactive and focus on the course’s objectives. Clarity and consistency in design is of paramount importance; images & graphics suitability and resolutions need to be spot on and the course navigation structure consistent, reliable and easy to navigate.  Moreover, the architecture of the course should allow instructors to add content, activities and extra assessments.

While these are the basic parameters to be checked with before delivering an eLearning course, it is needless to say that there is no ultimate checklist for eLearning design and development. Each eLearning course is different, each domain has different requirements and different audiences have diverse potentials and demands. This is precisely why one would need to develop not an ultimate, but a new custom enriched checklist for every course and/or client, with more specific checkpoints.

eLearning Development time and Cost

When it comes to eLearning development, some of the preliminary things people want to know is how long it will take and how much the eLearning development time and cost will be.

This is true for both internal company projects and consulting projects (where you are performing the development for a client) projects. What significant stakeholders often lose sight of is that quality eLearning course development takes a significant amount of time. The more the existing unknown variables there are at the onset of the project, the harder it is to achieve an accurate estimate. The delicate part is filtering basic content from the advanced. You also have to consider other elements such as Job aids, technical documents, and other relevant assets as part of the building blocks of eLearning. That being said, it’s important to invest time in the development of these resources. While you may have a steady grip on the content (the images and interactive element) you’ll be including in your eLearning deliverable, estimating the development time of your eLearning course needed to complete all of these tasks can be somewhat challenging. After all, ensuring your client with an accurate quote that every hour has been devoted to the design and development process is of paramount importance.

It all starts with researching your target audience and beginning to create the eLearning course objectives . Gathering your team, assigning responsibilities & expectations as well as the tools, so that each one can be utilized to the best of your ability, ensues. This estimation mandates discussion with the team at hand to be certain of meeting deadlines for the task at hand. Storyboarding serves as a guide for both the project manager and the rest of the team and as such demands a fair amount of time for a detailed overview. The design must reflect the brand image and the theme of the subject matter, with every individual element tied together. Determining the content creation and instructional design development time includes multimedia production such as videos, podcasts, effective scenarios, etc. that require a lot of time. For instance, authoring a complex programming language requires a great deal of coding, something that’s needs to be factored in to your eLearning course development time and cost estimate. Last in a series of steps is testing and revisions that may include focus groups, individual testing sessions followed by interviews or surveys to get invaluable feedback, and even client demonstrations.

The current market landscape mandates the meeting or more importantly exceeding standards of instructional development as part of the amount invested, in terms of the time and cost on the development of an eLearning program. When collating cost estimates and preparing project plans e-Learning project managers and instructional designers often find it a difficult task to correctly estimate the extent of the course, the time and cost it takes to develop an eLearning exercise.

Remember to always expect the unexpected when you estimate your eLearning course development time and cost. It is imperative to allow unanticipated room for slipups, project emergencies or additions in order to ensure that your bid is always vetted and spot-on, in both terms of cost and time.

 CUSTOM eLearning COURSE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Custom eLearning course development services are the services which provide users with the advantage of eLearning along with its training and learning programs being customized for every student individually. These services not only change the behavior of the learning lot, but also take eLearning course’s economic value to another level itself. This in turn improves the overall performance of any eLearning and training content or program. Services of this sort are designed to meet short term goals like instructional results, and long terms ones like performance results. In this article we will get to know about different custom eLearning course development services that help any eLearning training program’s content to do full justice with it.

• ACCESIBLE ON DIFFERENT DEVICES: Custom eLearning is accessible on any device be it mobile phone, laptop, or tablet. Custom eLearning training courses are designed in such a way that they work without any problem in every device and are compatible with every processor out there. These courses and their content are tailor made to suit every student’s preferences with timely updating processes which make sure that every module is up to date.
• TESTING LAB TO CHECK MULTI DEVICE ACCESIBILITY: These testing labs are made to check the accessibility of eLearning programs on different devices. These labs come with suitable infrastructure, resources and expertise. These are also given support by quality assurance check processes to ensure that they are according to a specific standard and also without any error. This is the process which makes sure that eLearning training programs work smoothly on every type of device.
• RAPID PROCESS OF LEARNING: Custom eLearning course development services provide the best solution to lengthy and time-consuming process of learning. These services let learners make their experience of eLearning self-paced, therefore it becomes easier and faster for them to understand. Also, to make it possible there are various authoring tools which let these training programs become so easy to comprehend.
• GRAPHIC CONTENT LIKE VIDEO AND ANIMATION: Custom eLearning course development services let eLearning training programs become more intriguing and engaging by enabling the designers to involve pictures, videos and animations in their content. Adding animations and videos according to every student’s individual preference helps in grabbing their attention and forming an emotional connection.
• TRANSLATION OF CONTENT IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES: One of the best and the latest custom eLearning course development services is translation of content in the learner’s preferred language. As in eLearning training programs, there are students from all over the world participating, the most common problem faced before this is7 the problem of language. Since there are a lot of countries where English is not taught mandatorily, there grew a need to involve translation in the training content modules in order to achieve the goal of reaching masses and educating them. Therefore translation was incorporated with the training modules from then and after that, there has been no such problems reported so far.

These were just some of the custom eLearning course development solutions about which we have learnt. And there are number of more such solutions related to eLearning training programs and content which can be learnt about through the vast spread world of eLearning itself.

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence: A Revolution in eLearning

eLearning is a rapidly growing industry which is learning conducted via electronic media, typically the internet. It is the delivery of training or an educational program through digital means such as computers or mobile phones, allowing technology to facilitate learning anytime, in any part of the world. Electronic learning is a system based on formalized teaching where appropriate technologies are used to make learning possible and improve performance. Today eLearning is not a newfangled idea, in fact its growth and acceptance is snowballing particularly as technology becomes more economical. However, one of the biggest obstacles that eLearning has faced in the past few years is related to content development expenses. Modern tools therefore give us the power to rule over such expenses and create effective training experiences for learners. Thus, in this article we are going to discuss how Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence may affect the future of eLearning.

Artificial Intelligence does not equal Machine Learning

Currently, there is quite a lot of confusion about the term artificial intelligence and machine learning. Though companies use them interchangeably, and both terms are related to each other, but they definitely don’t mean the same thing. Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the theory and development of computer systems to be able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision making and translation between languages. AI algorithms don’t need to be altered manually, they do it automatically by analyzing information and finding current errors to prevent future problems.

Machine learning however, is a branch of artificial intelligence that provides systems the ability to automatically learn and improve detection of patterns in data from experience. It involves algorithms that identify certain threads that constantly refine information and provide greater personalization. It is the science of getting computers to perform without being overtly programmed. Machine learning algorithms involve statistical techniques that provide a computer with the ability to “learn” and perform accordingly in various tasks. Hence, machine learning is to artificial intelligence what books are to education.

eLearning is a rapidly growing industry, and with technology constantly evolving and developing to boost speed and efficiency in learning, eLearning is the most advantaged form of advancement in technology. Modern tools in technology give the power to make the training experience more engaging as well as productive. Two of such tools are artificial intelligence and machine learning.

How Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence will affect the future of eLearning

Here we are going to discuss how artificial intelligence and machine learning may affect the future of eLearning and some of the advantages they have for online users and Learning Management Systems (LMS):

• Individualized ELearning Content –
  Machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms predict outcomes which help in providing personalized eLearning content based on past learning experiences and individual learning preferences. For instance, a learner who exhibits specific skills or talents will receive recommendations related to activities that enhance related skills and abilities. Artificial Intelligence and machine learning platforms ensure that learning speed and styles can be managed and monitored according to the needs and expectations of the learner. Hence both these tools can be used to group learners according to their strengths and weaknesses and accordingly assign learning material and training where such customization happens instantly.
• Better Resource Allocation –
  There are two advantages related to resource allocation that are provided by machine learning and artificial intelligence. The first is that learners get the exact resources they require to fill gaps in their learning abilities and material without wasting time in going through every single training material that can be otherwise utilized in learning something new. The second advantage is better resource allocation for the L&D team, they can spend less time analyzing graphics and developing powerful eLearning content, as both tools take care of Big Data. Also, additional hours devoted to developing training content that might not result in being useful are prevented since eLearning is customized and personalized.
• Improve Learner Motivation –
  With machine learning and artificial intelligence, learners are gaining access to more customized and personalized training experience, where they can specifically focus on only what’s important instead of going through endless information that’s of no use.
• This is in fact one of the demotivating factors that makes learners lose interest instantly while learning. Machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms monitoring student progress actively refine information eliminating material that is not useful, so learner motivation is enhanced, and attention is focused.
• Enhance ELearning ROI –
  Artificial Intelligence and machine learning significantly improve return on investment (ROI). Less online training time and greater customization increase profit margins and cut down costs that can be otherwise utilized in making training more effective and engaging. By analyzing the data generated by eLearning courses, machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms quickly detect spots that students are struggling in and adjust the course accordingly. Hence costs spent on developing irrelevant training material are cut down, hence improving the returns on investment.
• Fast Paced and Efficient Training Programs –
  Benefits of tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning make online learning overall a great engaging and effective learning experience. For example – online assessment results or survey findings. The machine learning system offers a comprehensive overview of Big Data useful in predicting outcomes. Thus, corrections or additions can be made before the user encounters problems in training or switches to another program. Also, artificial intelligence can be used to make peer learning more productive and interactive

Thus, the answer to how artificial intelligence and machine learning may affect the future of eLearning is very simple. Modern technological tools have a great advantage for the eLearning industry. Not only are they effective in making learning an enjoyable and knowledgeable experience but also making it fast paced and useful. Modern features in machine learning and artificial intelligence have made huge progress in eLearning resulting in more and more people shifting from traditional classroom training to online learning.

How Big Data influences e-Learning strategies

The E-learning industry is rapidly evolving because of the innovative technologies and applications. The experts predict that, the future of E-learning is endless, as the instructional design models are continuously improving. At present, the E-learning community is highly appreciating the Concept of “Big Data”.

In E-learning industry, Big Data refers to data developed by the learners while availing best Big Data training. For example, if you are taking the Big Data training module, then your assessment results, theories, reports, social sharing’s, progress, performance, and any other data developed during the training, will be considered as Big Data. The learning Management system is effectively designed with automated tools in order to collect the data of the learners.

Here, the main objective of Big Data is to analyze and determine the learning efficiency of learners, so that the E-learning module can be modified accordingly. In a big data training program, the Big Data Analytics as well as the Data Engineering processes are covered using conventional predictive models for the e-learners. In order to understand the concept of best Big Data training, below we have mentioned some important benefits of Big Data in e-learning.

Highlighted Benefits of Big Data for e-Learning professionals

• Easy to identify the best courses and modules, compatible as per the interests of audience
• Flexible to design and develop the course structure for engaging the audience without any failure
• More accurate insights are ensured, thus you can efficiently determine the most effective deployment strategies
• The training professionals can modify the course modules as per the real-time feedbacks. Thus, by availing best Big Data training, the learners can ensure enhanced learning modules, without any doubt

With time, the demand for e-Learning courses is increasing, and this is the reason, why most of the training professionals are adopting the culture of e-Learning. A small survey was conducted in order to understand the importance of Big Data in e-Learning modules. Well, the survey results directly indicated that, Big Data has the capability to improve the concept of e-Learning to a great extent. To justify the survey reports, below we have described some important facts associated with Big Data.

• Big Data offers valuable feedback reports to the learners – When you are subjected to best Big Data training, it is your responsibility to understand each and every module efficiently. With Big Data, you can analyze your performance pace and can learn from your mistakes. Being a learner, it is very important to know, in which topic you are lagging behind.
• Big Data allows the professionals to track the learning patterns of learners – Big Data includes data from start to finish of training session. Thus, the entire activities of learners are recorded in Big Data. This helps the training professionals to understand the difficulties of the learners, without any confusion.
• Big Data enables the training experts to modify the course module – After understanding the learning patterns of learners, it is feasible for the professionals to modify the course structure. This ensures high quality learning modules to the learners, and thus they are greatly benefited from e-Learning courses.

Storyboarding for E-learning

Storyboards are blueprints that guide professionals through every aspect of their eLearning course design. It aids professionals in efficiently designing and developing ideas to deliver engaging eLearning solution to the users. Storyboard acts as a medium to communicate your eLearning vision. These storyboards include every screen including the visual elements, text elements, audio elements, interactions and branching of the course. Most of them also include the objective of the eLearning course.

In the instructional systems development process, one would include storyboarding in the development stage right after the analysis. Storyboarding is very important for the development team as it guides the team to build the eLearning course. Once the storyboards are created, they are reviewed by the clients and industry experts. A storyboard is thus the central document, based on which the whole program is constructed.

When there is a stable structure in place, it is easy to identify what the learner can take away at the end of the course. An in-depth analysis to define the objectives of the eLearning course is therefore, necessary before starting to create the storyboard.

A successful storyboard can be created only through a good research initiative. It is necessary for the creators to have a complete knowledge about the audience before creating the eLearning storyboard. Knowing the audience will help the creators know what will work and what might not so that they can create an effective storyboard. Storyboarding might be a tedious process for small or solo projects. But when it comes to large projects, the initial time spent on storyboarding is rewarding in the later stages of development as the process gets more efficient.

There are two approaches for creating a storyboard. One is the text based storyboard and the other is the detailed visual storyboard. An instructional designer creates the text based storyboard by writing all the information such as design elements, scripts, user experience, user interface, etc. in a written format. Visual storyboards are commonly used to create eLearning storyboards. This format covers all the topics covered in the text based storyboard but represents it through visual graphics and texts. Visual approach is the best way to create a storyboard as it integrates with the actual development.

Creating a storyboard helps everyone who is working on a particular project, to work on the same lines by specifying what content is going to be developed. Storyboard helps the creators to rethink the course design and come to a mutual agreement. An excellent eLearning course can be developed with the help of a storyboard.

In the recent times, we see a rapid growth in demand for eLearning courses. Right now is a premium time for learners and eLearning is the best approach to save their time and money. Course developers are trying to balance between the quality of the eLearning course and quick delivery of the course. As the technology changes on a daily basis eLearning gets faster, which creates the need for faster development within shrinking budgets. To meet such growing demands of the eLearning industry, the developers have to make use of storyboards to work efficiently.

VIRTUAL LEARNING V/S ELEARNING

Both virtual learning and eLearning are unique and refer to the act of using technology in learning, but how learners engage in that process slightly varies. Today’s workforce is trying to cope with the fast pace of modern work life. They are eager to learn and improve but struggle to find learning to help them hone their skills when they need it most. With most of the workforce working from home, it is imperative that your online learning holds up to expectations and ensures productivity. Digital learning is an opportunity to make personalized, relevant learning available to people when and where they need it. All businesses are having to quickly learn how to tackle the power of digital for training and development more extensively than ever before.

What Is Virtual Learning?

In virtual learning, learners join live lessons with their trainers and have the capability to ask questions. It’s more interactive.

• Instructions are given through the internet, software, or both
• Can be used inside or outside the organization
• Uses the computer and an online program or software to upgrade the learning experience
• Can be used in an individual learning format or live web conferencing between learners and trainers
• Learners have remote access to content and instructors
• They can connect and interact with other learners and their instructors online

What Is E-Learning?

E-learning is an online instruction by a trainer where learners can join and complete their training at their own pace and schedule.

• E-Learning uses digital tools for teaching and learning, and the technology helps the learning process
• Can be used online or in a workplace setting
• Learners take training but only interact with the trainer online
• They have unlimited access to the content
• The training completion degree is distributed online

Elearning vs Virtual Learning in the Workplace

The biggest differences between eLearning and virtual learning have always been in the area of advocating connection between learners. In-person social interaction has a richness that might feel hard to reproduce in the digital world but, when it comes to the business world, it’s not impossible. Elearning is more effective than virtual learning in many ways. Most organizations believe their use of digital learning will remain the same, increase or decrease only a little as restrictions on live training reduce. Elearning might not fully replace classroom learning, but it is here to stay and organizations are increasingly looking at online learning as the future. Below mentioned are some differences between the two :

• Unlike virtual learning eLearning will save you time and money
• ELearning is much more scalable – Unlike virtual learning where the number of learners you can reach are restricted, eLearning allows you to produce once and share with as many employees you want
• ELearning can be accessed on your learners’ terms – Modern learners already spend much of their time in meetings. They want to learn any time and anywhere as per their need
• ELearning is consistent –  Classroom experiences largely depend on the coach. The same course material can be delivered by two different trainers with enormously different impacts on the learners. Elearning ensures a level of consistency that cannot be achieved with classroom
• Another difference between virtual learning and eLearning is that virtual learning connects geographic regions between learning requirements and delivery whereas eLearning refers to self- learning, free of geographic location and time
• Virtual learning uses the computer and an online program or software to increase the learning experience, while eLearning utilizes digital tools for learning, and the technology promotes the learning process

Learning online is a vast landscape. The success of online learning depends a lot on the training environment. That’s why the training methods used by organizations play a key role in your development. Both virtual and eLearning programmes are devised to make better use of the real ability of digital technology and improve your learning experiences through advanced suggestions. Choosing between one type or the other depends on your learning style, availability for travelling and overall professional interests and assignments.

Blended Adult Learning

Online sources and other sources that are form the outside of the classroom are becoming an integral part of adult learning. This process involves videos, blogs, books, tv programs and tweets. This challenges the educator to ensure that the instructions are made a part of the overall learning environment. Technology is altering and will continue to alter the way education is imparted regardless of it being inside or outside a classroom.

Blended adult learning is indeed the blending of the new techniques with the old to ensure that the material is comprehensive and to benefit the student. Thereby, blended adult learning is defined as the culmination of learning techniques that incorporates multiple teaching models. This most frequently included a technique involving eLearning and face-to-face learning

There are various blended adult learning models.

Some of these models that are deemed to be effective in corporate training are:

The Rotation Blended Learning Model

This model is extremely versatile and flexible as it permits the use of face-to-face instruction time and online study time. This model can aid in the development of eLearning games or scenarios which gives the learners the opportunity to explore the topic online and then the face-to-face activities further equip them to prod more into the subject. The face-to-face activities also gives the instructors to assess the learners acquisition and retention as well as address questions or concerns of the learner. There are four sub-models:

• Station Rotation
• Individual Rotation
• Lab Rotation
• Flipped Classroom

The Flex Blended Adult Learning Model

The current model is similar to the previous model; except that it is focuses primarily on online instructions while only a small or specific set of learners have access to the face-to-face activities. To facilitate one-on-one learning, online training courses maybe offered within the classroom. However, the learers can also meet in groups to explore the topic in depth or to offer peer-based support. To integrate this model into one’s teaching methods, face-to-face support can be provided to those learners who require it or provide regular group sessions for leaners who require additional assistance. Learners can also be encouraged to collaborate with one another so that they can benefit from one another’s experiences.

The Alacarte Blended Adult Learning Model

This model involves only online instructions with the training taking place in a physical classroom or lab or may supplement the instructions the leaners will receive in a brick-and-mortar classroom. Videos or audio lectures can be recorded by the instructors in addition to providing support though various forum such as emails and instant messages. If the instructor needn’t be present physically, then this can incur cost reductions. This model can be put to us through the development of self-study course which includes all the material that an online training module would require along with the virtual support of the instructor.

The Enriched Virtual Blended Adult Learning Model

This model is centred on face-to-face instructions while the online tools and resources supplement the former after the completion of instructor-led sessions. Online materials such as links to informative videos or sites can be offered to incorporate the face-to-face driver model. These resources can be used to learn more about the topics by the leaners and have access even when they are away from the physical classroom.

Based on these characteristics and tips of these blended adult learning models, we are to choose the one that may serve the company’s corporate training needs s that the leaners can reap the multiple benefits of blended adult learning.

BLENDED LEARNING

Blended learning solutions is an educational program that combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods. It requires the physical presence of both a trainer and learner, with some elements of learner’s control over time, place, path or pace. More simply, blended learning solutions is a learning modality that combines offline and online aspects to get the best possible results for the learners.

Characteristics of blended learning solutions

When it is done well, blended learning solutions typically involve some common characteristics –

• Online and offline learning –
  Blended learning combines some form of online learning with some type of offline learning. Learners may take classes over the internet in a classroom with one or more trainers standing by to help them complete their work.
• Instructor involvement –
  Those who take online learning from home can interact with their trainers online through message boards and emails.
• Independent learning –
  Another feature of blended learning solution is that it fosters the idea of independent learning in trainees. Blended learning programs allow learners to learn on their own and to use the materials and resources presented to them in ways that work best for them.
• Peer interaction –
  Another key characteristic of blended learning is peer interaction. Those learning in traditional classrooms will have their peers sitting right next to them, which lets them work together on assignments. Trainees who take classes online can interact with others via the class message boards or forum.
• Support for learners –
  Another characteristic that blended learning programs share is the support available for learners. Trainers working in these programs offer learners all the help and support they need both through offline meetings and online solution.

Desirable qualities of blended learning solutions

The most obvious reason why blended learning is enjoyed is because it increases engagement. Most of the learners nowadays, have a smart phone, which is like having a handheld computer. With blended learning learners can use their smartphones and learn online at their own pace. This may sound like a matter of convenience, but engagement is a powerful technique. Mixing technology with tradition is the essence of blended learning solutions which is far more than an education industry buzzword.

Strong interpersonal skills are needed to succeed in today’s world. Along with these group skills, learners must have the ability to work alone to complete the tasks – a quality blended learning solution will support learners as they develop these internal and external traits. The traditional mode of education relies on the finished product as proof that the learner has acquired a certain skill. The blended learning classroom enables the learner to lean heavily on the process.

The increasing awareness and availability of internet services has contributed much to the growth of blended learning. Although implementing blended learning solutions is a complex process because trainers must determine the perfect blend of face-to-face activities and online learning when designing courses, blended learning is an important part of the learning landscape.

The E-learning Revolution: Assimilation of the Disabled

Education is a key issue vouching to promote and ensure the learning of all students. It is the building block of a child’s future. However, it becomes even more important if the child is disabled in any way. In considering the role technology and e-learning can play in helping students access higher education and learning experience easily and effectively, a large number of students are now opting for e-learning. E-learning provides perfect learning solutions for disabled students.

E-learning for students with disabilities

Students with disability continue to face barriers to educational services and constant humiliation at school. In this regard, e-learning provides the perfect learning solutions for disabled students. The possibilities of e-learning and online education are now in the spotlight through interest in the development of the massive open online courses(MOOC) and enrollments are now rising at a much higher rate. In 2012 more than one in three students in the United States (33.5%) were taking at least one online course and online enrollments were growing at a rate of 6.1%. (Source: Allen and Seaman,2014). The disabled students are the ones who are the most advantaged from e-learning. E-learning thus provides them with a comfortable and peaceful environment for learning and perfect learning solutions for disabled students.

Benefits of e-learning

Listed below are the benefits of e-learning for different categories of the disabled.

• Intellectual Disability –
  E-learning provides students with intellectual or learning disabilities the sufficient time and stress-free environment they need. E-learning provides in depth explanations and greater attention to special students. Also, instructors are ready to adjust their method of teaching according to the student’s needs while having an open channel of communication. Keyboard enhancements and accelerators like shortcut keys, repeat keys and slow keys and devices like Kurzweil 3000 allow information to be learned easily.
• Sensory Disability –
  For the visually impaired students, it is easier to have access to education through a computer at home rather than travelling all the way to the campus. Adaptive technologies in e-learning such as braille keywords (example, Braille Note Apex) and special audio clips are provided for learning in such a way that these clips can be recorded, paused and played repeatedly. For the hearing-impaired students, videos with subtitles, text-to-voice devices (example, Intel Reader) and links to all types of visual material are provided.
• Physical Ailment –
  The most obvious benefit of e-learning for students with a physical ailment is that they don’t have to travel to campus or commute from classes to classes. E-learning allows them to stay at the comforts of their home while taking online classes. Students with physical ailments are provided with both audio and visual material in the form of voice-to-text and text-to-voice as per their convenience. Also, special technologies such as SmartNav 4, Ghotit and Ginger are available for children who cannot write.

Online learning is a growing and exciting new way to learn almost anything and everything. E-learning does not however intend to replace the conventional methods and learning in classrooms and only attempts to make learning more convenient and efficient. E-learning management systems allow greater adaptability to suit the needs of different students. However, the biggest challenge now is to reform the traditional classroom methods to more updated and progressive approaches for all students, including those with disabilities. , In the days to come, e-learning will provide even greater learning solutions for disabled students.

Need for eLearning

eLearning is the study and practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing technological processes and resources. It is learning to utilize technology in order to gain access to educational curriculum and information outside of a traditional classroom. It is a learning system based on formalized teaching through electronic means, such as mobile phones and computers, transferred completely online. Digital technologies are changing the educational landscape, and represent a paradigm shift for learners, educators and now organizations as well. eLearning now plays a significant role in training provisions in all kinds of organizations. There has been a steady increase in the range and speed of the uptake and implementation of e-learning in various companies and organizations lately. In this article we are going to discuss why companies are switching to e-learning.

Online learning has completely revolutionized the corporate training scene. For companies trying to incorporate a new training program, the advantages of e-learning significantly outweigh the features of traditional classroom training. It offers a flexible approach to organizations where training and learning can take place anytime, anywhere. For almost every organization e-learning proves to be both a cost-effective and time-saving option, as it significantly cuts down on the cost of classroom tools required for training and is simply accessible, so it does not require hours of teaching. Advancement and efficiency are extremely important to any business and hence e-learning plays the perfect role in saving time, energy and money while moving towards progress and development.

Currently more and more organizations are trying to introduce e-learning or enhance already existing e-learning programs in order to avail themselves of their benefits and maximize the potential of their work. According to a report, the e-learning market in 2013 was a $56.2 billion business and likely doubled in the year 2015, while revenue generated per employee was higher for companies that offered training using e-learning (Source: The Molly Fletcher Company, 2015). Here are some of the reasons or benefits as to why companies are switching to e-learning:

E-learning is cost effective. An online learning system cuts downs the cost of many tools associated with classroom training such as learning material, travel, catering, logistical arrangements etc. With the constant need to upgrade and reproduce learning material, training becomes costly as well as time consuming. According to research by Caterpillar University, e-learning provides a clear cost-benefit as against instructor-led training, irrespective of how large or small the learner base is. In the case of online training, once a Learning Management System (LMS) is put in place, several online courses can be developed and hosted. It is a one-time investment and since everything remains online, printing costs are also cut down.

Demand of eLearning in Companies Today

• Learning reaches everyone despite geographical location, hence economical –
  Another factor which motivates companies to turn online is when they have a large and dispersed workforce. Companies that have a global presence face the problem of training employees who are geographically scattered. It becomes impossible for instructors to visit each place in order to train a set of employees. Hence comes the advantage of e-learning which provides companies the ability to provide training to all employees simultaneously across all regions. If a company has to train employees on a new software system, it is easily possible across all regions and time periods with the help of e-learning options. Further, all employees receive standard set of instructions which may get compromised in classroom training, especially if facilitated by different trainers.
• Need to enhance productivity and engagement –
  Companies are always looking for an opportunity to advance and grow. Studies have shown that companies with actively engaged workforce have 2.6 times higher the earnings as compared to their industry counterparts. Here e-learning plays an important role because companies that utilize online training achieve an 18% boost in employee engagement. Online learning increases job satisfaction, promoting higher engagement and productivity. Also, online learning does not compromise with other time-sensitive job tasks that might interfere with the ability to produce productive results.
• eLearning is convenient and flexible –
  One of the greatest advantages of e-learning is that it is easily accessible and can be modeled according to an employee’s schedule and preferences. Companies benefit from eLearning as it does not require any instructor or face-to-face teaching, but rather can be accessed at any point of time from any part of the world. eLearning is also flexible as it provides the space and time to complete training at employee’s own pace and ability. This eventually enhances performance and productivity.
• Need to reskill and match growing business needs –
  Companies have to constantly stay up to date with new technologies and advancements in order to develop and progress. This means that the introduction of new products, improvements in existing processes and keeping up with rules and guidelines keeps happening almost continuously. eLearning plays an important role in providing training and information about such situations to employees in a convenient, yet effective manner. Since there is a constant need to upgrade skills and deal effectively with competitors, eLearning proves to be a viable option in training employees immediately and globally.

We are living in a knowledge economy, where only those who constantly update themselves with knowledge and skills survive. Currently, most companies are switching to e-learning due to the wide variety of advantages it provides. The need to constantly stay relevant and upgraded, train employees in different parts of the world while enhancing engagement and productivity is fulfilled as a result of eLearning. Online learning is the most viable option for companies to provide high quality training experience worldwide and move towards higher levels of progress and achievement.

E – LEARNING SOLUTIONS

Modern businesses often rely on eLearning, but not every eLearning program is the same. As a result, you have to choose from the top eLearning solutions to boost your business. Elearning solutions provide a popular and effective way to heighten skills and enhance knowledge. They give the ability to provide anytime, anywhere access to online training materials. Content can be spread through a computer, tablet or a mobile device via the internet. Elearning solutions are a useful way to educate employees, students or trainees. Staff training and development is a cornerstone of a company’s success. Traditionally companies relied on text books and instructor led trainings to deliver learning content, but more recently eLearning has emerged as a valuable tool specially for staff education.

Advantages of eLearning Solutions

There are several factors that have made eLearning popular and widened its base worldwide. Elearning has a wide variety of advantages that are more beneficial to users as compared to traditional classroom learning. The advantages of Elearning solutions are:

• Economical:
  Elearning is more cost – effective for a larger learner audience. It helps in reducing fees for trainers and user time, as well as costs related to training rooms, travel, catering, and materials. These cost savings are one of the clearest advantages of eLearning. If done correctly eLearning offers numerous benefits as compared to instructor led trainings.
• Customised Learning:
  Each person is unique, and eLearning caters to every individual’s learning needs. Elearning tailors learning experiences for individuals via self-directed learning and allows learners to move at their own pace. The learners can select their eLearning course according to their own needs and interests.
• Accessibility:
  Elearning provides users with the opportunity to access resources right when they need them since the training covers a lot of material that will need to be referred later. A good eLearning program shows the consequences of user’s actions and where they went wrong. One of the greatest benefits of eLearning is that it is available 24/7 for an increasingly global and remote workforce.
• Standardization:
  It guarantees courses are presented the same across sessions. Elearning creates a standardized process and consistency in the delivery of content. It also compresses delivery time.
• Interactive Elearning:
  Interactive eLearning is a process of making eLearning more engaging and perfect. The most important tool when developing an interactive eLearning strategy is reality-based eLearning scenarios. Making these scenarios interactive by including videos, images, and audio, enables effective learning environment that motivates and engages the learners.
• Personalization:
  In a traditional classroom, there is lot of information transmitted in a short span of time, making it difficult for the learner to focus on all aspects at one time. Also, eLearning automatically reduces the time constraints and helps in deciding how much one can grasp in a time. Thus, eLearning is the best option for users who hardly get time to do such courses in a busy schedule.

Providing with the best eLearning solutions, will give users an opportunity to use various technologies, and enhance their eLearning experience. Having an online community where learners can collaborate in an engaging and creative learning environment will help close the gap of the new digital divide and thus create a culture of digital natives conductive to effective eLearning.

How does HTML5 eLearning content development services captivate your attention?

HTML5 eLearning content development services are desired by most eLearning experts for various reasons. To explore this, we need to explore HTML5 as a content development service.

HTML5 is a mark-up language for structuring and posing of the content for the WWW (World Wide Web) and acts as a vital technology for the internet. The fifth version of the HTLM standard is the HTML5. The main reason for updating it was to improve the language which supports the latest multimedia while concentrating to assure easy readability for both the users and the computer or devices. Many of the feature that transpires with HTML5 eLearning content development services revolve around it being constructed for the purpose of ensuring it functions on low powered devices too such as mobiles and tablets for enhancing its accessibility. eLearning experts opt for HMTL5 based content as it facilitates multimedia content which contributes to the appealing factor as well as to ensure the content is easily delivered in terms of learning. It also ensures easy portability of the corresponding content or course to various other platforms if necessary.

Organizations try to be as relevant as possible when it comes to offering technological services. Hence, the most recent and current web HTML5 is rapidly transpiring as the de facto standard for content development, with domestic support for explorable and interactive multimedia content that makes it easier and appealing for the client. HTML5 eLearning content development services have a rich and adaptable, user-friendly interface. It is easy to comprehend. It’s versatility and ability to be flexible makes it important and most pursued tools.

The most basic reason for eLearning professionals to opt for HTML5 is due to massive shift observed in the increase of the usage of mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. This is supported and followed by the advent of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). The Cisco BYOD Insight Report revealed that 9 out of 10 Americans utilize their smartphones to commit better to their work. Since learning through the mobile seems more reasonable to the client, eLearning is shifting its focus to ensuring learning occurs through the mobile. However, mobile devices do not support Adobe Flash which paved way for the increased demand for HTML5 eLearning content. Moreover, HTML5 eLearning courses actually consume less CPU space and use optimum battery power which helps us conclude that it runs more faster and efficiently than Flash-base courses. HTML5 also offers offline storage and data management, that is they provide such services even when the user does not have access to internet.

HTML5 eLearning authoring tools contributes to the entirety of content development services and play a vital role in the development of the eLearning courses. Some of the companies that offer HTML5 authoring tools are listed below:

Articulate Storyline 360 – They claim quick simulation building tools which ensure it as one of sincere HTML5 authoring tools.

GOMO Learning – Their HTML5 eLearning authoring tools aid the content developers to construct fascinating and interactive eLearning experience.

There are various other such HTML5 authoring tools. The HTML5 eLearning content development services are making quite the mark in the eLearning industry with its multiple enticing features that trumps most other platforms.

Benefits of e-learning at workplace

An acute rise in the tech savvy workforce has brought about a change in the training methods at workplace. E-learning is today being adopted widely by many organizations. These E- Learning programs are rewarding for the employees as they boost their morale and also better fit the needs of a global company. When it comes to workplace training program, delivering content over a period of time is effective than to blimp out everything on a week-long classroom session. E- Learning is the best method for delivering these small manageable bites of information for the employees, as it minimizes interruptions and barely compromise’s their productivity. E-learning gives the employees an access to training on-the-go.

This learning method also gives the employees the privilege to take charge of their own professional development. Their motivation levels are marked up as they are allowed to be the decision makers in their training program. E-Learning helps them break out of their comfort zone and accept possible failures. This helps the employees to work towards improvement as e-learning creates a private learning environment eliminating the biggest risk which is the fear of failure. It takes into account the employees flexibility at the best.

E-learning is not only rewarding to the employees but employers gain a huge advantage in terms of costs and productivity. Classroom training for large audience is expensive and inefficient, as it involves various costs such as training space, travel, food and study materials. On the other hand e-learning demands just the access to a computer or a mobile phone. Many companies have saved thousands by switching from classroom based training to e-learning platforms. Shifting to e-learning saves a significant amount of time resulting in higher employee productivity. Time allocated towards setting up a classroom, travel and breaks is eliminated in an e-learning training setup.

There is a huge difference in the effectiveness of an e-learning training program and traditional programs. E-learning keeps the employees engaged throughout the training programs with games, videos and other interactive content. This helps the employees to retain the key information better. The content on the e-learning platforms is readily accessible when the employees have the capability to do so irrespective of where they are.

For a global company the eLearning modules can be rolled out to the large audience and in different languages once the modules are created. For employers, feedback is the most important concern when it comes to any training program. Collecting this feedback is often a tedious job for the employers. However, when it comes to e-learning, collecting feedback and getting real-time updates is hustle free. The dashboards provided by e-learning platforms gives real-time feedback to the management because everything is updated online. Feedback plays a very important role in gaining insights on what kind of improvements are required and to ensure that all employees are receiving the training they need and require.

In this fast moving world companies look into advancement and efficiency. Organizations are turning towards e-learning to save time, cost and energy. An organization’s return on investment is the most surprising and most apparent advantage of e-Learning.

How E-learning improves your learning?

E-learning has become so popular for the great benefits it shows in the education system. It has turned out to be the fastest and easiest method of modern learning. Experts believe that the process of making education available around the clock assures better results for the students and e-learning significantly improves their learning.

The generation at present that loves spending time glued to gadgets is extremely advantaged from the benefits of e-learning. According to a recent report, the US educational market has earned a thrilling amount of $958.7 million in 2010 by selling mobile learning products. The survey also predicted sales to grow more than 10% every year in the next five years (Source: Report Ambient Insight 2010). The prime reason as to why e-learning has become so popular is because it is readily available on mobiles and computers which seem very relevant to people today. Since we are constantly occupied with gadgets nowadays, it becomes fairly easy to have access to courses or learning material whenever the need arises and enhance our learning.

There are a number of reasons as to how e-learning can improve your learning:

• Higher retention of learnt material –
  Anything learnt without the pressure of time, with a peaceful mind is better retained to memory and stays there for a longer period of time. E-learning allows the learner to identify with the material such that it sticks to his/her mind. Also, online learning takes place through the most favorite medium of education, that is technology, hence it makes the fruits of learning get attached to the learners’ mind with ease.
• Flexibility –
  Students are not constricted by the barriers of time and place in the e-learning environment. Learners can access their favorite courses at any time through 24/7 accessibility from any part of the world. Having the opportunity to review lessons again and again significantly improves the learning process. Also, the help of online tutoring centers makes learning easier.
• Easy storage and multiple access to collect material –
  When students learn online, they are not bound by the traditional classroom lectures which they can hear/view only once. On the internet, they can look for a number of details, sources, research materials and learning tools that will not only improve what they have learned in class, but also enhance their knowledge. This allows students to gain unique insights into lessons and get on without hassles.
• Student collaboration and teacher interaction –
  Online learning plays the role of a mediator. It enables users to engage in meaningful conversations and interactive discussions with their peers, exchange views and discuss problems. Also, e-learning improves your learning by the infinite online support that is rendered by teachers, in not only explaining a concept until it’s not clear, but also making sure that there is no ray of doubt in learning the courseware.
• Self-paced learning –
  One of the major reasons why e-learning improves your learning is because it promotes self- paced learning. Students can take up a course according to their own preferences and time schedules. Courses are offered such that the time of the course and other interests or activities taken up by students don’t clash. In such a manner, students don’t feel the pressure of studies. This adds to the learning process.

E-learning has turned out to be one of the best modes of education for students who want to continue learning in a convenient, yet effective manner. Not only does it provide infinite learning opportunities to learners, but e-learning improves your learning by clearing our doubts and increasing knowledge.