In This Issue
	What's New Character-based Simulations in E-Learning Rapid E-Learning: Tips & Techniques What's On Your Mind? Top issues in 2004 Rapid E-Learning Study - Participate Now

Character-based Simulations in E-Learning

How do you make e-learning come to life? One of the hottest new developments is the use of animated characters that draw learners into the learning experience. We recently completed a study of this fast-growing approach. A character simulation uses a simulated person who speaks, interacts, and guides the learner through the program. This character is someone who may be a "real person" (a simulation of a well-known individual, like the CEO of a company, a client or an expert) or an anonymous character with a real personality. These characters take on a personality through their look, choice of language, attitude, and even their voice. There are three ways characters can be used: Peer Instructor or Coach: In this approach the character takes on the role of a peer. A sales representative in a retail store, for example, may see a 19-year old sales rep talking to him, wearing clothes he may wear, and discussing topics in a way he can relate to. Expert Instructor: In this model the character is an expert. The character may be a "sales manager," "flight instructor," or even Albert Einstein or another well- known expert. Authority Figure: In this model, the character is the "boss." The character is a manager, authority, or enforcer who tells the learner what they must do. In some applications, such as military training, an authority figure creates more credibility than a peer or expert. To see a character-based simulation in action, click on the link below. You will be able to download the study and you will see a well-known character in action! See the Character and Download the free study... »

Rapid E-Learning: Tips & Techniques

In early March Bersin & Associates conducted a Rapid E- Learning class as part of the Training 2004 conference. During this blended program participants created both Scheduled (collaborative) and Self-Paced e-learning courses with iLinc and Macromedia Breeze. After delivering their courses, the class worked together to create a tip sheet for each type of Rapid E- Learning. Here are some of the tips: For Scheduled Rapid E-Learning, the group had three tips: Practice your presentation - Recruit a few of your colleagues to act as an audience while you practice your presentation before teaching it to the class participants. Build frequent participation directly into the program - When you create your slide deck, insert opportunities for feedback every 3-5 slides. These can be chat discussions, telephone discussions, polling questions and hand-raising questions. Use an assistant instructor - Virtual classrooms are an ideal environment for multi-tasking. While the primary instructor leads the program, the assistant instructor handles online questions, chats with participants, and gives the instructor feedback when the class has a technical or content problem. For Self-Paced Rapid E-Learning, the group provided these three tips: Think small -- In this media, participants don't have a long attention span. Keep modules below 20 minutes in length (typically 10-15 slides). Script your recording voiceover- To avoid many re-recordings, create a written script before recording audio. Make the script part of the notes slides for viewers who may not have audio Test Animations and Transitions- Often tools don't convert the PowerPoint slides exactly as you anticipated. Some PowerPoint functions (e.g. transitions, animations) will convert better than others and this varies with the conversion tool you use. Make sure you test the presentation and the quizzes before you make the course public. Thank you to all of our Rapid E-Learning Designer Program participants for all of your ideas and enthusiasm. We will be running more Rapid E-Learning courses in the future. Watch our Web site and this newsletter for upcoming announcements. Find out more about our Rapid E-Learning Designer Certificate Program... »

What's On Your Mind? Top issues in 2004

Every month we get hundreds of emails and conduct dozens of interviews with corporate training managers. In February we asked our clients "What do you see as your biggest challenges in e- learning for 2004?" The answers were very interesting, and we have compiled a list of comments for you to read. The top issues which training managers face are budgets, obtaining executive support, and the ongoing need to gain alignment and executive commitment to their programs. This research reinforces the importance of creating a "Training Investment Model" for your organization, so if you have not yet read it, I encourage you to read this important research. Read the top issues training managers face in 2004.... »

Rapid E-Learning Study - Participate Now

Does your organization need to deliver training within weeks of receiving a training request? More and more frequently, business situations require that knowledge and skills be transferred to employees, suppliers, partners, and even customers within weeks of major company events. These events may include an acquisition of a company, a product launch, a ruling on a lawsuit and many more. Rapid E-Learning is the answer for time sensitive issues, where the need is urgent and there is very limited time and budget for development. Rapid E-Learning programs have the following characteristics: Can be authored within 1-2 weeks of problem identification. Do not need Web developers or expertise in Web development tools. Often rely on PowerPoint or other commonly used applications to import content. SME's can author them with a small amount of training. Typically include "light" assessments, not to the performance level. Typically cost less than $2K per instructional hour. May be synchronous (scheduled) or asynchronous (self-paced), or may be part of a blended approach. Can be instructionally sound, rather than just being presentations. If you organization is developing training that meets these criteria, we want to hear from you!! We are conducting the first major industry study on the topic of Rapid E-Learning development. This study will identify when this approach is being used, commonly used Rapid E-Learning tools, and what practitioners like you have found to be the critical success factors. The results will be published on in a future edition of this newsletter, as well as on our Web site. Click here to participate in this study.... »