GMEL 2: Making a Vivid Case for Value

NOTE: LearningZen Co-Founder Dennis Phillips is writing a series of blogs with regard to Getting the Most from e-Learning (GMEL) This is number one in the series. The introductory blog can be found in the archives.

One of the great challenges of eLearning is to overcome the dropout factor. In the first article of this series, I discussed the need to create e-Learning content that is perceived as useful. But if the value is not obvious, a vivid case must be made for the course (Engaging in the New eLearning).

The potential student will ask one question that must be answered by the educator: Is this for me? If the answer to that question is not obvious, you will lose your student and the opportunity for learning.

In his book What would Google Do, author Jeff Jarvis states that “one benefit of the distributed, connected university is that students may select teachers. Instructors won’t be able to rest on tenure…but rise on merit.” (p.215) LearningZen provides numerous tools to create fantastic content. However, in reality, a piece of e-learning could include the best graphics, lots of interaction, numerous tests and content written by the most learned subject matter experts, if the learner themselves is not really interested in the topic, that course will more than likely not be completed. (Learning Technologies)

LearningZen provides two methods for vividly stating the case of value for a course. The first is the internal rating system. The course below shows ratings for both the course and the author.

Each and every student that comes to LearningZen and takes a course has the opportunity to rate and comment on both the course and the author. For example, this course and author have been rated.This simple system of 5-stars allows the value of a course to be seen immediately by potential students. This is the same concept that has proven so valuable to trusted vendors on eBay and Amazon. Over time, the best courses and the best instructors will rise to the top and the value will be obvious.

The second feature that allows the user to immediately see value is that LearningZen provides a template for course creation that shows the student right away what is included in the course. You've probably heard the following three sentences before. Though simplistic, they offer great advice.

• Tell your audience what you're going to tell them.
• Tell them.
• Then tell them what you told them.

Here is an example of a course that states the value of the course in the introduction.

This is really a streamlined version of Aristotle's ideas on giving speeches (Presentations), and LearningZen has built the course creator tool around this idea. Each course includes an introduction, the content or chapters and a review or summary. While an Author can certainly choose not to follow this template, the template provides a pattern for showing the value of the course to potential students. Following this template will keep you on track as you prepare your course. It will make your students comfortable and secure because they'll know where you're headed. And it'll help keep you focused as you make your. It will also provide you a means of vividly showing the value in your course.

See more at www.learningzen.com