““eLearning Made Easy” eLearning Made Easy”

ASTD Maryland ConferenceASTD Maryland ConferenceOctober 2, 2007October 2, 2007

Dr. Greg WilliamsDr. Greg Williams

What Do Want to Learn ?What Do Want to Learn ?

• Your experiences with eLearning?• Likes or dislikes? • What don’t you understand? • Personal barriers to using it?• Organizational barriers?

Quiz Quiz “eLearning Myths” “eLearning Myths”

• Takes a long time to develop• Is expensive• Requires lot of resources• Puts trainers out of work• Is impersonal

Quiz Quiz “eLearning Myths” “eLearning Myths”

• Won’t be accepted • One size fits all• It’s too hard to learn• Low quality

What is eLearning? What is eLearning?

• Not really understood • Instruction delivered electronically• In part, or totally • Has structure and purpose (objectives)• Variety of delivery methods• Learning tool (e.g. screwdriver)

eLearning History eLearning History

• eLearning is not new• Educational TV in 1960s• Introduction of PC early 1980s• Growth of Internet early 1990s• Impact of September 11th

eLearning’s Recent Past eLearning’s Recent Past

• Increased use of multi-media• Mobile learning, iPod, cell phone, PDAs, digital cameras, video• Growth of “personal broadcasting”

eLearning’s Future eLearning’s Future

• 100% growth in dollars spent ($11B) from 2001 to 2004 (ASTD) • “eLearning” to simply “Learning”• New competencies for trainers• Career opportunities

Why Is It Growing? Why Is It Growing?

• Learn anytime, anywhere• Incorporate multi-media• Learner control• On demand, just in time• Can cost less• Growth of digital culture, entertainment

Jump in the Jump in the eLearning Pool?eLearning Pool?

• Ask why, before how• Problem to be solved?• eLearning is a tool• Use right tool for right job

eLearning Benefits eLearning Benefits

• Ongoing communication• Informal learning• Learning communities• More effective use of time• Training feedback after course

eLearning Benefits eLearning Benefits

• Access to worldwide experts• Richer learning experience

with multimedia• Feedback and follow-up• Vehicle for coaching

eLearning BenefitseLearning Benefits(employer view)(employer view)

• Increase access to learning • Reduce time in classroom• Reduce travel and hotel costs • Consistent delivery & content

Is My Organization Is My Organization Ready for eLearning? Ready for eLearning?

• Management support?• Business case for it?• Do users have access & skills?• Have expertise, or buy it?

When to Use It When to Use It

• When audience is spread out• Good for repetitive training content• Consistent instruction• Better use of trainer’s & learner’s time• To save money (potentially)

When to Use It When to Use It

• Ongoing communication and feedback

(process not an event)• Access to learning resources & info• Content that requires frequent changes• Increase “informal learning”

Barriers to eLearning Barriers to eLearning

• Access • Technology issues • Cost• Not equally effective for all content• Learner motivation & initiative• Learner preferences • Doing it for wrong reasons (because we can)

What Does What Does eLearning Look Like? eLearning Look Like?

“I know it when I see it”I know it when I see it”

Potter Stewart, Former Supreme Court Justice, describing pornography

What Does eLearning What Does eLearning Look Like? Look Like?

• That’s depends• Goals, budget, expertise, resources, scale• Compare to in-person course• “House” comparison

Delivery Formats Delivery Formats

• Synchronous• Asynchronous• Blended or hybrid• Instructor led, or no instructor

Delivery Vehicles Delivery Vehicles

• Stand alone PC• DVD, CD, VHS tapes • Web-based, Internet or intranet• Video, audio, satellite• Video conferencing

Free & Inexpensive Tools Free & Inexpensive Tools

• Skype • Blogger• Audacity, audio software• Webcams, video @ your PC

Free & Inexpensive Tools Free & Inexpensive Tools

• Moodle, LMS • YouTube, video hosting • Online surveys, Survey Monkey, Zoomerang

eLearning Demos eLearning Demos

• Threaded Discussion (Blackboard)• Audio (Audacity)• PowerPoint with Audio (Walsh)• PowerPoint to Flash (Articulate) • Webcam (Logitech)• YouTube

Group Exercise #1 Group Exercise #1

Career ImpactCareer Impact

• Impact for trainers?• Trainer’s portfolios• Problem or opportunity?

eLearning & Your Career eLearning & Your Career

• It’s not for everyone• It’s not going away• Opportunities are increasing • Career choices and options • Too old?, Meet Jim Manion

Getting Started Getting Started

• Ask why before how• Don’t do it “because you can”• Start small and slow• Don’t spend a lot of money• Test and experiment

How Can I Create eLearning? How Can I Create eLearning?

• What are you trying to accomplish?• Resources, expertise, audience?• Instructional goals?• What if I’m not technical?• Don’t do just because you can

If I Can Do It…If I Can Do It…

• How I got started• Not as hard as you think• Technology get easier (really)

If I Can Do It…If I Can Do It…

• Try being a student first• Add some eLearning to current training• Try blended learning approach• Be a team teacher• Start slowly, experiment

Group Exercise #2 Group Exercise #2

Closing Thoughts Closing Thoughts

• eLearning is not going away• Embrace it as an opportunity• It’s simpler than you think• Don’t let cost or technology stop you• You can do it! (if you want to)

Resources Resources

• Websites• Associations• Handouts

UMBC Training Forum UMBC Training Forum November 7November 7thth

6:00 - 8:30pm6:00 - 8:30pm

“How to Be a Training Consultant”

UMBC Technology Centerwww.umbc.edu/isd

Questions & Discussion

Dr. Greg WilliamsDr. Greg Williams

• Director & Clinical Assistant Professor

• UMBC, ISD Program• 410-455-6773• gregw@umbc.edu• www.umbc.edu/isd