The Online Training Content Journal

Item Modeling Flash Templates Used In Question Design

It is free to register on the International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning Site, so you can download the article.

Item Modeling Concept Based on Multimedia Authoring by Janez Stergar
International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET)* Vol 3, No 3 (2008)

Abstract

In this paper a modern item design framework for computer based assessment based on Flash authoring environment will be introduced. Question design will be discussed as well as the multimedia authoring environment used for item modeling emphasized. Item type templates are
a structured means of collecting and storing item information that can be used to improve the efficiency and security of the innovative item design process. Templates can modernize the item design, enhance and speed up the development process. Along with content creation, multimedia has vast potential for use in innovative testing. The introduced item design template is based on taxonomy of innovative items which have great potential for expanding the content areas and construct coverage of an assessment. The presented item design approach is based on GUI's – one
for question design based on implemented item design templates and one for user interaction tracking/retrieval. The concept of user interfaces based on Flash technology will be discussed as well as implementation of the innovative approach of the item design forms with multimedia authoring. Also an innovative method for user interaction storage/retrieval based on PHP extending Flash.

instructional design	online training content development	accessibility
section 508	interactivity	learning activities
elearning podcasts	usability	CSS Flash XHTML
semantic markup

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series
e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series
SyberWorks Learning Management System

Use games to improve learner motivation...

Here is an interesting post which talks about using games to improve learner motivation.

eLearning Games - It's All About Learning Motivation by Garin Hess

instructional design	online training content development	accessibility
section 508	interactivity	learning activities
elearning podcasts	usability	CSS Flash XHTML
semantic markup

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series
e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series
SyberWorks Learning Management System

Article on Usability Testing....

As always, Jarod Spool has some good articles up on his site, User Interface Engineering.  The article talks about usability testing for web sites, but it has some very good points that can be applied to usability testing when developing e-learning.....

Quick and Dirty Usability Testing: Step Away from the Book By Dana Chisnell, UsabilityWorks

instructional design	online training content development	accessibility
section 508	interactivity	learning activities
elearning podcasts	usability	CSS Flash XHTML
semantic markup

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series
e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series
SyberWorks Learning Management System

Learning Activities First....

Found this while I was looking through my rss feeds....It’s Not About The Content by Tony Suess

Excerpt:

"On far too many occasions my explaination of the Online Instructional Design Process is met with looks of confusion, disbelief, or simply disregarded as the ramblings of a mad man.  Why?  Because when developing a course of instruction for delivery online, content is the last thing to be collected and assembled; the Learning Activities are always the first....."

instructional design	online training content development	accessibility
section 508	interactivity	learning activities
elearning podcasts	usability	CSS Flash XHTML
semantic markup

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series
e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series
SyberWorks Learning Management System

e-Learning Lingo Podcast #67 Blended Learning

The next episode of the e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series is up!   This week's word is  "Blended Learning ".

On the e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series, there are three ways to comment on each episode. You may post a message to the blog; leave a web-based voice mail by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner; or call in and leave a message about each show.  You may find each weekly episode and its accompanying transcript on the e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series page located in the Media Center of the SyberWorks web site.

Press Release:

The e-Learning Lingo Podcast #67: "Blended Learning"

Blog:

e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series Blog

instructional design	online training content development	accessibility
section 508	interactivity	learning activities
elearning podcasts	usability	CSS Flash XHTML
semantic markup

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series
e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series
SyberWorks Learning Management System

Interactivity Features in Flash..

E-learning interactions in Flash

instructional design	online training content development	accessibility
section 508	interactivity	learning activities
elearning podcasts	usability	CSS Flash XHTML
semantic markup

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series
e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series
SyberWorks Learning Management System

Considerations When Creating Interactive Content

Found this up on the uxmatters site.  While its primarily web focused, looks like there are points in here that can be applied to e-learning content development, specifically the development of learning activities...Enjoy!

Winning Considerations for Interactive Content by Colleen Jones

Excerpt:

"User interface designers have more interactive options than ever for presenting   content. So, we can make meaningful strides toward offering users the right   content in the right place, at the right time, in the right amount. However, these rich options for interactively presenting content also come with a   challenge. ....."

instructional design	online training content development	accessibility
section 508	interactivity	learning activities
elearning podcasts	usability	CSS Flash XHTML
semantic markup

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series
e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series
SyberWorks Learning Management System

Developing Training For Dedicated Multitaskers...

Here's an interesting article.....How to Train Multitaskers? By Tom Brigham

The article gives you tips on how to create training so it appeals to, "to a busy, distracted, overwhelmed, and often multitasking audience?" It provides information on, "what techniques can you use to capture and hold the attention span of a group of ADT-prone employees whose thumbs are itching for their mobile phones?"

instructional design	online training content development	accessibility
section 508	interactivity	learning activities
elearning podcasts	usability	CSS Flash XHTML
semantic markup

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series
e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series
SyberWorks Learning Management System

Another Article On e-Learning Accessibility - A Look At Various Types of Disabilities As They Impact Accessibility..

Here is another article on accessibility and design.  Nothing new here, but a good article on the subject just the same........Accessibility Equals Good Design By Cheryl Johnson

Excerpt:

"With an increasing number of aging people remain in the workforce, the definitions of “disability” and “accessibility” are changing.

All people need access to learning events. There are many types of challenges people face in accessing training, whether disabled or not. As a result, it makes good business sense to ensure that we are not inadvertently excluding some learners from this growth opportunity.

Access issues aside, accessibility is simply good design. Features that benefit those with access issues also benefit those without issues. For example, when you enable the end user to make the choice to have video and graphics displayed, you also afford them the choice of faster download times and speeds. This can significantly benefit those who don’t have access to high speed Internet connections."

instructional design	online training content development	accessibility
section 508	interactivity	learning activities
elearning podcasts	usability	CSS Flash XHTML
semantic markup

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series
e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series
SyberWorks Learning Management System

Work-flow-like e-Learning Systems Support Double-loop Learning..

Bridging the Gap between Instructional Design and Double Loop Learning

By Howard Spoelstra, Maristella Matera, Ellen Rusman, Jan van Bruggen, and Rob Koper

Abstract:

"The implementation of double loop learning based educational scenarios in instructional designs in workflow-like e-learning systems appears to be showing a gap; whereas the former assumes that processes can be reflected upon and can be modified or amended by the learners, the latter only predefines a limited set of rigid instructional processes..However, an important advantage of instructional designs implemented in work-flow-like e-learning systems using modeling standards is the ease with which they can be exchanged with other (educational) institutions. The work-flow environment described here aims to make learner reflection and change to instructional processes feasible while
maintaining portability. We present a description of the implementation of the pedagogical scenario of the “Virtual Company” in our work-flow environment that makes use of dynamic work-flow processes. Learners are provided with process building blocks, called “atomic actions” which they can use to create and revise processes “on the fly”, thus supporting double-loop learning."

instructional design	online training content development	accessibility
section 508	interactivity	learning activities
elearning podcasts	usability	CSS Flash XHTML
semantic markup

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series
e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series
SyberWorks Learning Management System