Blog of E-Learning Tyro

This Blog Moves to a New Web Site

elearningtyro — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:46:47 +0000

Hello all,

I am glad to announce that I have launched a new Web site on e-learning. Here is my new Web site name:

Here are the unique features of my new Web site:

Millions of e-learning Web sites are available in the Cyberspace. There are Web sites that include only e-learning blogs; some include e-learning forums, information on e-learning jobs, reviews on e-learning products, and so on. But, very few Web sites post information that covers all aspects of e-learning.

elearningplanet.com deserves to be one among those rare Web sites that:

Includes its own e-learning blog.

Facilitates collaborative learning between e-learning professionals through its forum.

Conducts frequent online contests for e-learning professionals.

Provides free online training and assignments for instructional designers and graphic designers.

Selects its favorite blog post and blogger from the e-learning blogosphere on a weekly basis.

Selects active participants in the planet’s forum.

All blog posts in this blog (http://elearningtyro.wordpress.com/) are moved to the ‘Blog’ section in http://elearningplanet.com/. However, this blog continue to remain with no future updates.

Please redirect your feeds to http://elearningplanet.com/?feed=rss2

Thanks for all your support and I am anxious to contribute more to this e-learning world through my new Web site.

Regards,

Sathish Narayanan

Moodle Demonstration Website

elearningtyro — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:58:21 +0000

Click here to view the official demonstration Website of Moodle Content Management System (CMS).

This website allows you to try the most recent and stable version of Moodle, and to explore courses which demonstrate important Moodle features.

Useful Blog on Virtual Environments and Worlds

elearningtyro — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:58:05 +0000

Click here to view a useful blog that includes videos and presentations on virtual environments and worlds.

15 Ways to Promote E-Learning Programs

elearningtyro — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:28:13 +0000

Click here to view an article that describes 15 ways to promote e-learning programs.

Interesting Demo on Learning Game Management System

elearningtyro — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:04:48 +0000

Click here to view an interesting demo on learning game management system.

E-Learning ROI Calculator

elearningtyro — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:46:44 +0000

Click here to view an interesting tool for estimating the ROI from an e-learning project.

E-Learning Project Cost Estimation Tool

elearningtyro — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:51:02 +0000

Click here to view an interesting tool for estimating the project cost of an e-learning project.

Interactive Demo on Virtual Mission Preparation

elearningtyro — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:35:00 +0000

Click here to view an interactive demo on virtual mission preparation.

Best Practices for Using Webex

elearningtyro — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:59:45 +0000

Click here to view a useful post that lists the best practices for using Webex for online collaboration.

Basic Interactivity Strategies in E-Learning

elearningtyro — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:07:24 +0000

Let me share with an informative blog post on interactvity in e-learning. I always recommend to view this post when someone asks me for basic information on interactivity strategies.

Click here to view the post.

Adding an Articulate Engage Interaction Within Another

elearningtyro — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:55:41 +0000

Click here to view a useful post on adding an Articulate Engage Interaction within another.

Maximum Sizes for Images and Videos in Articulate Engage

elearningtyro — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 05:58:11 +0000

Each interaction type in Articulate Engage has its own specifications in terms of the sizes for images and videos. Here is a useful information on the maximum sizes for images and videos. Thanks to Gabe Anderson for sharing these details in his blog.

Interaction Type	Maximum Size	Example
Process (no text in steps)	620 px width x 310 px height	Click here for an example
Labeled Graphic	690 px width x 470 px height	Click here for an example
Tabs (at a minimum size of 10%)	553 px width x 380 px height	Click here for an example
Tabs (at the regular size of 30%)	425 px width x 380 px height	Click here for an example
Circle Diagram	250 px width x 310 px height	Click here for an example
Timeline	620 px width x 310 px height	Click here for an example
Media Tour (without captions or video player)	688 px width x 468 px height	Click here for an example
FAQ	617 px width x 310 px height	Click here for an example
Pyramid Diagram	250 px width x 305 px height	Click here for an example
Guided Image (if the image takes 75% of the space)	434 px width x 295 px height	Click here for an example
Guided Image (if the image takes 85% of the space)	490 px width x 335 px height	Click here for an example
Glossary (with glossary items set to a minimum width)	493 px width x 330 px height	Click here for an example

Tips for Creating Engaging Assessments by Using Articulate Engage

elearningtyro — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:27:31 +0000

Hi all,

I just viewed a useful post on creating engaging assessments by using Articulate Engage. Its really worth sharing, and thus you have this post right now.

Click here to view the post.

Tips for Encouraging Learners to Take e-Learning Courses

elearningtyro — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 05:34:14 +0000

Hi all,

Recently, I read an useful article on how to encourage learners to take e-Learning courses. I am sure this article will be more meaningful for organizations that have planned to implement e-Learning for their training purpose.

Click here to view the article.

Useful Article on e-Learning 2.0

elearningtyro — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:50:20 +0000

I just read Tony Karrer’s interesting article on e-Learning 2.0. He describes the basics concepts of e-Learning 2.0, and compares it with e-Learning 1.0 and 1.3

I found it very useful. Hope you will also admire his article!

Click here to view the article.

Phases of Instructional Design

elearningtyro — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 09:03:39 +0000

Let me share with a Web site that contains a plenty of useful information on the different phases of instructional design.

Click here to view it!

Guidelines for Developing Effective Product Demos

elearningtyro — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:14:45 +0000

Let me share with an informative post from Rupa’s blog. She used the Microsoft product demo to provide several guidelines for developing effective product demos. Hope you will also find it useful.

Click here to view Rupa’s post!

List of International Instructional Designers

elearningtyro — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:04:27 +0000

Let me share with an informative URL that contains a list of international Instructional Designers with their qualification and other contact details.

Click here to view the list!

Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy

elearningtyro — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 12:53:22 +0000

A number of debates are conducted all across the Globe regarding the revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Meanwhile, let me share with a Wiki page that includes the details of Bloom’s Taxonomy and its revisions. This Wiki page also includes a Web link to download the Microsoft Office PowerPoint Quiz that enables you to test your Bloom’s Taxonomy knowledge. Hope you will find this post useful!

Click here to view the Wiki page!

Tips for Developing an Engaging MS PowerPoint Presentation

elearningtyro — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:57:09 +0000

Thanks to Christy Tucker for referring an interesting presentation by Karl Kapp. The presentation emphasizes on how to develop an engaging MS PowerPoint presentation. In the presentation, Karl Kapp shows some examples of bad PowerPoint slides. Then, he follows up with his suggestions on how to present the slides in an engaging manner to the audience.

Here are his words that impressed me the most:
“We cannot blame the tool. Study after study shows that good design, regardless of the technology, is what that makes good learning. In the end, it’s the design and not the tool that impacts learning.”

Great words, isn’t?

Click here to view the presentation!

Interactive Demo on Virtual Team Management

elearningtyro — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:19:48 +0000

Let me share with an interesting demo on virtual team management. This demo sorts of teaching the virtual team management skills to a multi cultural, transglobal audience of project managers. Hope you will enjoy this demo!

Click here to launch the demo!

Interactive Course on the Power of e-Learning

elearningtyro — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 09:35:20 +0000

Recently, I admired viewing an e-learning course that provides an excellent introduction to e-Learning. The course contains several modules that are replete with concrete and practical examples. I am sure that the course will be handy for a novice who wishes to seek a basic knowledge on e-Learning.

Click here to launch the course!

Graphic Design Style Guide – Essential parameters

elearningtyro — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 11:37:45 +0000

Graphic Designers shall consider the following essential parameters while developing or reviewing the media of an e-Learning course by using Macromedia Flash:

Document properties: This includes verifying standardized document properties, such as document size, frame rate, publish settings, and other properties.
Naming conventions: This includes verifying the standardized naming conventions of a graphic element, file, layer, symbol, and library.
Font specifications: This includes verifying standardized font specifications, such as the font face, size, and color.
Alignment: This includes verifying alignment in page title, frame content, and graphic element.
White spacing: This includes verifying unnecessary white spaces between characters, lines, and paragraphs.
Library management: This includes verifying whether the library is managed using folders and ensuring that the unused elements are deleted from the library.

Apart from considering the aforementioned parameters, Graphic Designers shall also check for:

Typo errors
Content verification by cross checking with the source content
Consistent usage of graphic elements
Masking problems
Audio synchronization

Interactive GE-Branded Experience

elearningtyro — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:03:41 +0000

Here is my pick!

Geoterra is an interactive GE-branded experience that allows learners to enhance the well being of an island’s inhabitants and environment. Learners are immersed in a green environment where they can discover and utilize GE products to understand the positive impact on their own world.

Click here to launch the course.

Konica Minolta Solutions Learning Gateway

elearningtyro — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:31:10 +0000

Here is my pick!

Konica Minolta takes Web-based training to a new level. Created to educate its workforce, the Web site provides engaging interactivity through rollovers, voice over, video (by using the green screen technology), and a rich graphical interface. Enjoy viewing and let me know what impressed you the most!

Click here to launch the gateway.

Interactive Course on Aircraft Ground Icing

elearningtyro — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:39:57 +0000

Here is my pick!

Are you interested in knowing about aircraft ground icing? Learn it from NASA, which offers an interactive training course intended for pilots who make their own operational de-icing and anti-icing decisions. This training course helps private pilots as well as those who fly business, corporate, air taxi, or freight operations in fixed-wing aircraft. Enjoy viewing this course and let me know what impressed you the most!

Click here to launch the course.

Tips for Interacting with the SME on Content-Related Issues

elearningtyro — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 13:22:12 +0000

During the input collection process or during the storyboard development stage, an Instructional Designer (ID) might require content-related clarifications from the Subject Matter Expert (SME).

Here are a few instances in which an ID shall raise content-related queries or issues to the SME.

1) Missing contents: It is recommended to raise the SME query for contents that do not have required information.

For example, consider that there is an abbreviated term called ‘ICT’ without any expansion in the SME’s source content. In such a case, the ID shall raise the following query to the SME:
“This course has a term called ‘ICT’ without any expansion. Please provide the expansion for the same.“

It is to be noted that this query can be raised only after a thorough exploration on the abbreviated term (like search in Internet or in other resources) at the ID end. Then, the ID shall inform the SME with the following note:
“This course has a term called ‘ICT’ without any expansion. From an article relevant to this course, I found the expansion of the term ‘ICT’ to be ‘Information and Communication Technology’. Please confirm if it is correct.“

2) Complex, ambiguous, and lengthier sentences: It is advisable to make a note to the SME on sentences that are complex, lengthier, and ambiguous.

For example, the content provided by the SME may contain complex, ambiguous, and lengthier sentences. While junking them into precise or shorter sentences, there is a possibility of content loss. In such cases, the ID shall inform the SME with the following note:
“This sentence looks complex and ambiguous. However, I have tried to make it precise and shorter. Please let me know if I can proceed with my sentence formation. Alternatively, please provide a simpler sentence for content clarity.“

3) Redundant or irrelevant sentences: It is better to make a note to the SME on redundant or irrelevant sentences in the source content.

For example, the source content may contain information that is redundant or irrelevant to the context. In such cases, the ID shall make the following prior notification to the SME on the deletion of redundant or irrelevant information:
“This sentence looks redundant or irrelevant to the context. Please let me know if I can remove this particular sentence.“

Hope the aforementioned tips for interacting with the SME on content-related issues are sufficient for a novice. However, I will update this post if I acquire any additional information.

Interactive Case Study on Six Sigma Foundations Curriculum

elearningtyro — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 17:38:21 +0000

Here is my pick!

This demonstration features highlights from the ‘Define’ module of the Six Sigma foundations curriculum and includes a case study clip (part of the real-world case study), a tutorial clip (conveying a new concept), and a tool clip (illustrating a new tool). Hope it will be useful to you!

Click here to launch the demo.

Soft-Skills Training Course on Sales

elearningtyro — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 08:45:02 +0000

Here is my pick!

This simulation course provides a fascinating sales experience in an engaging, concise, and modular manner. This simulation course was developed for a data center sales team to improve understanding of products, benefits, and realistic sales practice. This course is one of my all time favourites. Hope it will be useful!

Click here to launch the course.

Interactive Experiment on Spotting the Fake Smile

elearningtyro — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 06:19:56 +0000

Here is my pick.

This experiment is designed to test whether you can spot the difference between a fake smile and a real one. It has 20 questions and it is based on the research by Professor Paul Ekman, a psychologist at the University of California. Each video clip will take approximately 15 seconds to load on a 56k modem and you can only play each smile once.

Click here to view the experiment.

Interactive Lessons on English

elearningtyro — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:34:15 +0000

Here is my pick!

My today’s pick has a number of interactive lessons on English. Please visit it. It has got a plenty of impressive interactivity strategies.

Click here to view the lessons.

Virtual Classroom Starter Guide

elearningtyro — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:48:05 +0000

Here is my pick of the day.

Let me share with an interesting article that I read recently. This article covers the basics of virtual classroom, its features, challenges, and other related information. I am sure it will be useful to you!

Click here to view the article.

Interactive e-Learning Demo on Cheque Negotiability

elearningtyro — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 05:11:32 +0000

Here is my pick of the day.

Today’s pick is an interactive demo on cheque negotiability. It includes fascinating strategies that will keep the learner engaged throughout the session. Hope you will gain additional knowledge on interactivity strategies through this demo.

You can view the demo by clicking the following URL:

http://www.alleni.com/demoFiles/UBOC/Negotiability.swf

Note: Please view this demo in Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Interactive e-Learning Demo on Rocketing

elearningtyro — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 11:26:24 +0000

I would like to share with an interactive demo on rocketing. The strategies used in this demo are amazing. I will suggest this demo to those who are passionate to explore the interactivity strategies. Hope it will be useful to you too. Please do visit it!

Click here to launch the course.

Interactive e-Learning Game on Blood Typing

elearningtyro — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 09:40:55 +0000

Here is my pick of the day.

I would like to share with an interactive e-Learning game on blood typing. The primary objective of this game is to blood type each patient and give a blood transfusion. Please do visit it!

Click here to launch the game.

Click here to know how to play the game.

Informative Course on Extreme Driving Conditions

elearningtyro — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 11:05:00 +0000

Here is my pick of the day.

puresafety.com is the leading provider of online safety training and risk management solutions. This site has featured an informative course on extreme driving conditions. Please do visit it!

Click here to launch the course.

195 e-Learning Magazines

elearningtyro — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 09:40:07 +0000

Here is an informative Web site that might keep your life engaged forever.

http://www.quiknet.com/tcsmith/mags.htm

This Web site has a list of 195 e-Learning magazines and related resources. Hope it will be useful to you!

Interactive e-Learning Game on Trade

elearningtyro — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 08:47:54 +0000

Here is my pick of the day.

Bertil Ohlin, the Nobel Prize winner for Economics, showed that countries engage in and benefit from trade if their production resources differ from each other. You can feel the real-time experience of his trading theory by clicking the following URL:

http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/economics/trade/game/ruler.html

Hope you will acquire additional knowledge on game-based learning strategies!

Interactive e-Learning Demo on Print Making

elearningtyro — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 12:34:02 +0000

Here is my pick of the day.

If somebody raises his or her desire to explore the printing technology, I shall suggest the following Web site:

http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/2001/whatisaprint/flash.html

Please do visit it! I am sure you will have a fascinating experience.

Interactive e-Learning Demos on Commodities Trading

elearningtyro — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 14:47:26 +0000

Here is my pick of the day.

The following Web site has a number of interactive e-Learning demos that highlight the benefits of trading on NCDEX, procedures involved to become a member, and opportunities of trading in various commodities .

http://203.197.56.48/

Please do visit it! (You need to register before viewing the demos.)

Interactive e-Learning Demos for Kids

elearningtyro — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 04:31:44 +0000

Here is my pick of the day.

The following Web site offers free, best-in-class courseware in Maths, Science, Reading, Keyboarding, English, health, and life skills. It builds a community for educators and parents to share innovations and insights in childhood education.

http://www.e-learningforkids.org/

Please do visit!

Interactive Web Site on Mughal India

elearningtyro — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 11:45:12 +0000

Here is my pick of the day.

I would like to share with a Web site that enables the learner to take a tour of the Taj Mahal, explore the methods of miniature painting, and delve into a Mughal coin cabinet. All the aforementioned activities can be done by clicking the interactive elements in the room. Here is the URL:

http://www.mughalindia.co.uk/

Please do visit it!

Interactive Educational Games and Activities

elearningtyro — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:42:12 +0000

Here is my pick of the day.

The following Web site has a plenty of fascinating educational games and activities.

http://edheads.org/

Please do visit it!

Top 100 Education Blogs

elearningtyro — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 05:29:42 +0000

Online Education Database (OEDb) has released a list of top 100 education blogs. You can view the list by clicking the following URL:

http://oedb.org/library/features/top-100-education-blogs

Elements in the e-Learning Course Template

elearningtyro — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 06:33:18 +0000

Here is a list of elements that shall be included in the e-Learning course template.

Header or session title: It should display the session name.
Frame title: It should display the frame title.
Pagination information: It should provide information on the current frame number and the total number of frames in the session.
Glossary button: It should provide the list of terms, definitions, and relevant description.
Help button: It should provide assistance in operating and navigating through the session.
Exit button: It should enable the learner to exit the session. It is appreciable to include a dialog box with an instruction like “Are you sure you want to exit?” when the exit button is clicked.
Slider bar: It should enable the learner to navigate the frame contents either forward or backward.
Audio ON or OFF button: It should enable the learner to play or mute the audio.
Audio transcript button: It should display the contents read in the audio.
Previous button: It should navigate to the previous frame.
Next button: It should navigate to the next frame.
Play or pause button: It should enable the learner to play or pause the execution of a frame.
Template instruction bar: It should provide information on the template navigation instruction (for example, ‘Click Next to proceed‘, ‘Click Exit to exit the session‘, ‘Follow the instructions in OST‘, and so on) or the status of frame execution (for example, ‘Frame execution in progress‘) to the learner.
Notes button: It should display a scribbling pad. The learner can type his or her notes, save, and print the same.
Search button: It should enable the learner to search for his or her required terms and explanation.
References or learning aids button: It should display all the reference materials and other learning aids related to the session.
FAQ button: It should display the session’s frequently asked questions and their respective answers.

The aforementioned elements are some of the frequently used elements in the e-Learning course template. You can choose the elements based on the target audience and your client’s requirements. I will update this post if I acquire any additional information. Hence, I suggest you to visit this post frequently.

Tips for Developing the Course Design Strategy Document

elearningtyro — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 05:43:48 +0000

Let me share my knowledge on developing the course design strategy document.

The course design strategy document is developed before developing the storyboard and it gives an overall idea on the strategies to be incorporated in the courseware. Strategies here corresponds to both the instructional design and graphic strategies. It will be useful for both the client as well as the e-Learning team, which develops the courseware.

I suggest you can consider the following attributes or parameters or details for developing an efficient course design strategy document.

Client name
Course name
Course objective
Course complexity level (in terms of Bloom’s Taxonomy)
Course language
Target audience
Instructional strategies
Graphic strategies
Course flow

Let me emphasize the key instructional and graphic strategies to be populated into the course design strategy document.

Instructional strategies

Instructional strategies shall include the following details:

Instructional theory to be adopted in the courseware
Inclusion of the course guide (if planned)
Usage of interactivities, such as roll over, point and click, select an option, text entry, drag and drop, and tool tip
Assessment types with details, such as where the questions will come into existence (within the content frames, after the content frames, as a separate module, and so on)

Graphic strategies

Graphic strategies shall include the following details:

Level of graphics, such as 2-D or 3-D, screen grabs, and animations
Inclusion of audio with details on the gender of voice
Navigation details (linear or non linear navigation)

Note

It is better if you could include the reasons for incorporating the aforementioned instructional and graphic strategies.

Hope the aforementioned tips for developing the course design strategy document are sufficient for a novice. However, I will update this post if I acquire any additional information.

My Favourite Groups or Forums on e-Learning

elearningtyro — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 05:24:50 +0000

Here are my favourite groups or forums on e-Learning and Instructional Design. I will keep you updated with my favourite groups or forums through this post. Hence, I suggest you to view this post frequently.

Welcome!

elearningtyro — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 07:09:03 +0000

Dear world,

Welcome to my blog! I am very much passionate in sharing the knowledge I acquire through my career life. I have dedicated this blog to share the world with any useful information I acquire on e-Learning. Hope you will gain useful information through it. Cheers and feel free to mail me at elearningtyro@gmail.com

Regards,

elearningtyro