3.09.2009

Audio Narration, eLearning, SME/ID, & Professionalism

The Ball in the Store

March 9, 2009

Audio Narration in E-Learning Content: Using Audio Markers - E-Learning Curve Blog by Michael Hanley

One of the features of Adobe applications for e-learning rapid e-learning content development is their facility to import audio metadata (commonly known as markers) into the authoring environment.

E-Learning in 2009: Are We Winning the Battle but Losing the War? - Jane Bozarth in eLearn Mag

While I welcome the move to increased use of e-learning (as I never did understand how the traditional classroom came to be held in such exalted esteem), this shift isn't necessarily good. It reinforces the belief that any presentation of content equals "training." It breeds the "convert-a-classroom-course-to-online" mentality, rather than focus on transforming instruction. The trend toward buying or building whatever is the cheapest instruction is a move away from thoughtful instructional design, with meaningful intent ignored in favor of easier, crank 'em out approaches. Alas, though, it may be the best push forward e-learning will get.

Are you playing the role of the Subject Matter Expert instead of the Instructional Designer? Janet Clarey in Brandon Hall Research

Think of most rapid e-learning courses. They are, by design, built around limiting theories. You mostly end up using them to create knowledge-building content (novice-level) or to create courses to track something (compliance, etc.). Or they are used to create something that is the equivalent of a text document. But novice-level/ knowledge-building and mandatory-type courses are a fraction of what people need to do their jobs.

This is why training in how to (really) design instruction is so important (for e-learning, classroom instruction, and informal learning). Although someone can show you how to make the most of a rapid e-learning tool, you won't become the "engineer" without advanced training (and not necessarily formal).

Top 10 funniest news reporter bloopers - cnet

The first video is a great example of poor professionalism in the workplace.

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