The Online Training Content Journal

Accessibility guidelines systematically applied to interface design...

Representation and Reorganization of Web Accessibility Guidelines Using Goal Graphs and Design Patterns by Imran Kabir, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto

Abstract:

"Web accessibility guidelines have textual representation and provide little support in systematic analysis and usage. The study hypothesizes that the guidelines can be reorganized and represented using the goal oriented technique and design patterns which will allow their usage in a more systematic manner and accommodate detailed analysis of the guidelines with other competing goals. For this study, knowledge from web designers’ experiences in using the guidelines, researchers’ findings, and the actual guidelines have been amalgamated. Six web designers have been consulted on a one-on-one basis and difficulties in using the guidelines for (1) specific scenarios, (2) systematic application, and (3) detailed systems analysis have been reported. Goal oriented modeling and design patterns have been introduced for (1) graphical representation of the guidelines using goal graphs, and (2) keeping the technical details separate from the goal graphs. The proposed representation allows for the accessibility guidelines to be systematically applied into interface design, and systems design using the goal oriented modeling technique."

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

The Developing Generationally Focused e-Learning Debate Rages On....

There was a recent article, How to Design E-Learning for Multiple Generations By Sarah Boehle,
February 19, 2008  It's a pretty interesting article about how Aetna did a study of their employees learning styles and reactions to types of training by generation (Silent Generation, ages 62-77; Baby Boomers, ages 52-61; Late Baby Boomers, ages 43-51; Generation X, ages 31-42; and Generation Y, ages 18-30).  The article offers a summary of tips for those who are interested in developing their courses for multiple generations.

"• There are exceptions to the rules. You can lump people together by generation, but there are always going to be exceptions. We have seen people in the Silent Generation, for example, who are extremely competent with computers, prefer to learn by searching, and like new technologies—just like Generation Y learners. It's difficult, if not impossible, to design training around all of these exceptions, but one thing you can do is keep all of the e-learning you design as open as possible. Design it so that learners, themselves, can choose how to learn and interact with the content.

• Learning styles are upwardly compatible by one generation. If you build a course targeted at Generation Y learners, Generation X learners will look at the course and say, "I'm progressive enough to accept this," even if it's not targeted specifically at them. If you have a learner population comprising 50 percent Generation Y learners and 50 percent Baby Boomers, however, and you design the program to appeal to Generation Y learners, Boomers will resist the course. It's simply too big a jump for them to make. In that situation, it's best to design two different programs—one for each group.

• Learning styles are not downwardly compatible. If you have a group of learners consisting of both Generation X and Generation Y, always design for Generation Y. If you design for Generation X, Generation Y will view the course as antiquated and won’t accept it.

• Weigh the costs and benefits. We don't have many learner groups that comprise one generation, and there are very few that are even 50-50. With most courses, we look at the majority population and design with their proclivities in mind. When the split is somewhat even, however, we weigh the costs and benefits to determine whether taking the time to develop two different programs makes sense. We are lucky in that we design all of our e-learning within a content management system, so it’s relatively easy for us to reformat the same content in different ways to make it to appeal to each generation. It's not like building two courses; it's more like building a course and a half."

Janet Cleary over at her Brandon Hall blog compares a few different perspectives of the generational e-learning development approach, and I suggest you check out her post, Digital Maturity & Design for Generational E-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

The gap in workflow-like e-learning systems...

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 workflow like e-learning systems using modeling standards is the ease with which they can be exchanged with other (educational) institutions. The workflow 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 workflow environment that makes use of dynamic workflow 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

George Siemens Presentation: Connectivism in Practice for Instructional Designers..

George Siemens posted a presentation he did up at University of Alaska Fairbanks, thought you might find it interesting....Connectivism in Practice for Instructional Designers

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 #44 Mobile Learning

The next episode of the e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series is up!   This week's word is  "Mobile 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 #44: "Mobile 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

e-Learning Design with the help of the Grid

Ever since the Guttenberg press, designers have extolled the benefits of grid-based design. In order to control alignment and spacing, grids offer designers the ability to compartmentalize and give hierarchy to a design - although some see it as a hindrance.

Grids are often used in the print world, but now a Firefox add-on called GridFox allows you to impose a grid onto the page you are viewing to check your work. The add-on can be configured to show columns and rows in levels of opacity over the viewport. To turn the grid off, simply click inside the browser window.

Al Lemieux
Senior Designer
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series
e-Learning Lingo Podcast Series
SyberWorks Learning Management System

Patriot's Day Holiday

Its Patriot's Day here in Massachusetts, so we will not be posting today.

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 #43 Operant Conditioning

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

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 #43: "Operant Conditioning"

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

Situation-Based Learning....

Was cruising my RSS feeds and found this post...thought you might find it interesting.....

Scenario-Based Learning

Excerpt:

"Learning that occurs when we immerse ourselves in a situation where we interact and perform with the event before us"

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

Free Vector-based Graphics Tool For Rict Text and More...

Was surfing my rss feeds and found this up on Jane Hart's blog...

Creative Docs .NET is a vector-based graphic design tool with support for rich text, ideal to quickly write short documents, manuals, posters, illustrations, schemas, plans, flow charts, and much more.

Free Download Available

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