Getting the Most from eLearning

The fable is told of a crow that was perishing with thirst. As he flew over the countryside he saw a pitcher, and hoping to find water, flew to it with delight. When he reached it, he discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last he collected as many pebbles as he could carry and dropped them one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought the water within his reach and thus saved his life.

For those that are responsible for training and development, we know that there are a plethora of e-learning tools available for use. We have social networking, wikis, twitter, blogs, learning management systems, virtual environments, and the list goes on and on. We literally can see the water at the bottom of the pitcher and know that it will quench our thirst if we could just get at it.

But having access to the water and knowing how to drink it is a different story. We can deliver training and information at will but is it effective and will it “quench the thirst?” I recently read a white paper written by Allison Rossett, long-time professor of educational technology at San Diego State University and Antonia Chan, a Fulbright scholar from Panama. You can find the white paper at Engaging in the New eLearning. In the paper, the authors discuss what we can do to make our e-learning efforts effective. They outline 12 different factors to consider when creating courses or programs. I think these are the pebbles that if used, will allow your content to quench the thirst for effective e-learning. They are:

1. The e-Learning must be perceived as useful by participants.


2. If value is not obvious, a vivid case must be made.


3. The program must provide opportunities for success, not failure or uncertainty.


4. Make it real.


5. Since the new e-Learning relies on involvement and generosity, reveal what that participation might look like.


6. Make it active and thoughtful.


7. Showcase people, emotions, and successes.


8. Guide and track participants.


9. Situate e-Learning within a blend.


10. Make relationships, collaboration, and teaming a part of the effort.


11. Make it WOW.


12. Measure and continuously improve.

We have seen numerous courses published in LearningZen. At last count, we were over 90 courses with at least twice that in some stage of development. I have created many courses myself some better than others. In my efforts, I have found several tricks that can perhaps assist you in creation of effective content. Over the next few weeks, I will share with you examples of courses and techniques that address each of these 12 points listed above. We realize that creation of content is really the difficult and talent driven task associated with LearningZen and want to do our best to provide resources that will allow you to use this tool to create effective e-learning.