What to do if they just want “awareness”
“We just need everyone to be aware of the policy,” your client says. In response, you could obediently crank out a 97-slide information dump — or you could ask a few powerful questions. Read more.
How to rewrite a quiz question as scenario-based training
“Why do you want to use scenarios?” your client asks. “Why can’t we use the quizzes that we’ve always used?” Sometimes the best way to convince a client is to show them. Let’s look at an example. Read more
How action mapping can change your design process
Happy action mapping users say that the model helps them create lively elearning. But would it fit into your design workflow? Here’s a look at the process from start to finish. Read more
Are learners idiots?
Are you under pressure to treat your learners like clueless children? Here are some ways to manage a stakeholder or that voice in your head that wants to lead learners by the nose. Read more
Elearning scenario example: Have learners use the job aid
Often we’re told, “Put this information into a course.” But what happens if we put the information into a job aid instead, and then give learners mini-scenarios that help themuse the job aid? Read more
Do they just know it, or can they USE it?
It’s easy to write activities that test whether learners know something. How can we make learners use their knowledge as well? Let’s compare two types of activities. Read more
Are instructional designers doormats?
It’s tempting to think we should never question clients’ processes. However, we have a valuable outsider’s perspective that can help our clients improve performance through every means, not just through a course. Read more
Technical training: What do they need to DO?
If you don’t identify what people do with the software and design your training around that, you could create an information dump that helps no one. Focus on what they need to do, not what they need to know. Read more
Checklist for strong learning design
Action-packed elearning or boring information dump? This provocative checklist will help you evaluate and discuss your elearning materials. Read more
Scenarios: the good, the bad, and the preachy
Decision-making scenarios work best when they require realistic decisions and avoid preaching. This post turns a typical fact-regurgitation into a more realistic scenario that helps learners practice making decisions in nuanced situations. Read more