e Learning Hava Haberfeld WW Documentation and Training

e. Learning Hava Haberfeld WW Documentation and Training Development Manager, Creo May 2005

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

e. Learning for techies § e. Learning: “Any intentional learning activity delivered via interactive electronic media” § Typical audiences: customers or end users of hi tech products and service or sales personnel supporting and selling these products § Difference between methodologies, platforms, and tools Methodologies: CBT, WBT, rapid e. Learning, blended learning, and more Platforms: LMS, LCMS, training portals, and more Tools: Flash, Shockwave, Robo. Demo, Captivate, and more

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

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

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

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

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

e. Learning development: EPSS, wizards, simulations, games § EPSS: electronic performance support systems § Wizards and context sensitive online help § Simulations, learning games, videos

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

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

e. Learning platforms: LMS, LCMS, VCS

e. Learning platforms: LCMS § Authoring tools are usually linked to an LMS system. § Testing and follow up of learner’s performance are embedded in the training program.

e. Learning platforms: Internet training portals § Internet training portals: one stop shops for e commerce of courseware both online and offline § Vertically focused portals, or vortals: offer their own content (corporate “universities, ” Mc. Graw Hill, Skill. Soft, Digital. Think, and so forth) § Downside: Massive e. Learning content is not designed to serve specific business needs, and instructional quality is poor.

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

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

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

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