opinions

OPINIONS, MY TURN

The Scourge of Abstract Abstracts

By Ryan Tracey / March 15, 2012

In his latest "My Turn" column, Ryan Tracey takes issue with article abstracts. All too often, abstracts are an afterthought. A well-written abstract can make all the difference; if an article gets overlooked, the abstract may be the culprit. Tracey shares some tips how on to make your abstract more substantive. » [Full Article]
TAGS: News and Trends

OPINIONS, MY TURN

Moving From Paper to E-Book Reading

By Joan Vinall-Cox / March 6, 2012

Reading in the digital world has both similarities and differences from reading on paper. Books as tangible objects elicit powerful responses linked to the pleasures felt in reading them. Although our eyes scan differently when reading online, reading e-versions of books initially seems similar to reading on paper. However digital books have some significantly different aspects that will be especially powerful in academic work. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Digital Literacy, Mobile Learning, News and Trends

OPINIONS, MY TURN

What It Means To Modernize

By Ryan Tracey / March 1, 2012

Modernization means thinking differently about how you design learning environments. Not following the latest trends. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Mobile Learning, News and Trends

Opinions

Jane's Gems: 10 Must-Read Articles from January

By Jane Hart / February 23, 2012

In her monthly column, Jane Hart shares some "gems" useful or valuable tools, resources, and products she has unearthed for learning and performance improvement/support. In this month's column she lists her 10 favorite articles from January 2012. » [Full Article]
TAGS: News and Trends, Social Learning

OPINIONS, MY TURN

Rapid eLearning: Building a House Without an Architect

By Guy Boulet / February 17, 2012

According to some, rapid eLearning solutions would allow subject matter experts to create eLearning without the intervention of learning professionals. Of course, this way of doing things may save time and money by reducing the number of steps required to design and develop eLearning, but are the end results worth those savings? Rapid eLearning tools have their place in the eLearning toolset, but it takes more that just mastering a software tool to build learning events: It takes good instructional design. And this does not come boxed with the tool. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Course-authoring Tools, Design and Development, News and Trends

OPINIONS, MY TURN

The Four Tech Tools You Should Be Using in Your Classroom But Aren't

By Bridget Leising Brown / February 9, 2012

This article details four online tools that classroom teachers can utilize to generate new instructional ideas and streamline organization: Prezi, Dropbox, Pinterest, and Springpad. » [Full Article]
TAGS: News and Trends

OPINIONS, MY TURN

Going Mainstream

By Reuben Tozman / February 2, 2012

L & D professionals bemoan the unenvious position of being first on the budget slashing table when businesses need to cut back. We believe in the value we can offer to our organizations and yet, regardless of everything we've worked on to prove our value we still seem to be relegated to "nice to have" when push comes to shove. The problem lies squarely on our shoulders. It is up to us to remodel and re-engineer what we do as part of core business operations. » [Full Article]
TAGS: News and Trends

Opinions

Jane's Gems: My 10 Favorite Articles From 2011

By Jane Hart / January 24, 2012

In Jane Hart's monthly column for eLearn she shares some "gems"—useful or valuable tools, resources, and products she has unearthed for learning and performance improvement/support. In this month's column she lists her 10 favorite articles from 2011. » [Full Article]
TAGS: News and Trends

Opinions

Jane's Gems: 25 Free Resources for Learning a Language Online

By Jane Hart / November 29, 2011

In Jane Hart's monthly column for eLearn she shares some "gems"—useful or valuable tools, resources, and products she has unearthed for learning and performance improvement/support. In this month's column she focuses on free resources for learning how to speak a foreign language. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Digital Literacy, Lifelong Learning

OPINIONS, MY TURN

Five Expectations Students Should Have of an Online Instructor

By Sabrina Ely / October 25, 2011

In recent years, online degree programs have become a widely accepted modality for many learners who are seeking a college degree. Online learning is a great choice for a student who is a self-motivated, and who are independent learners. This article will share five of the best tips to help your online students succeed. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Implementation

Opinions

Jane's Gems: Top Tools for Learning

By Jane Hart / October 20, 2011

In Jane Hart's new monthly column for eLearn Magazine, she shares some "gems": useful or valuable tools, resources, and products she has unearthed for learning and performance improvement/support. In this month's column she focuses on new tools for learning. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Digital Literacy, News and Trends, Social Learning

Opinions

Getting Students to Talk in the Online Course

By Michelle Everson / July 18, 2011

What kinds of questions might we pose to actually get students discussing? Too many instructors forget about the importance of discussion assignments, which leads to a lull in student-student interaction. Michelle Everson shares her experiences in generating good discussion. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Lifelong Learning, Social Learning

Opinions

Extreme Online Course Makeover

By Michelle Everson / June 2, 2011

For online course instructors it is a constant struggle to engage students with relevant, interesting and up to date content. Figuring out when it's time to implement a makeover is never easy. Is a complete overhaul necessary, or should changes be taken one step at a time? » [Full Article]
TAGS: Design and Development, Program Evaluation

Opinions

Nelson Croom's e-Learning Crusade

By Bob Little / May 24, 2011

We seem to be entering a new era in e-learning content creation. Immediacy and expediency, not instructional design fidelity, are the new watchwords. Elearning today is really only about addressing "remembering and understanding." » [Full Article]
TAGS: News and Trends

Opinions

Memorable Debriefs for Memory and Retention

By Susan Doctoroff Landay / May 11, 2011

A number of articles, books and group discussions suggest a variety of ways that learners can process what they learned and focus on important points to remember. While repetition is the key theme, no matter what resource you consult, debrief and commitment are critical for imprinting the learning into your memory bank. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Theories and Principles

Opinions

On the Supposed Importance of Education

By Roger Schank / May 5, 2011

Learning (e or any kind really) is about practice and about non-conscious knowledge. The schools tell us that content matters because they know how to test content. E-learning programs need to be smarter than that if their intent is for students to actually get better at working or living. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Lifelong Learning

Opinions

Reports of the Death of the LMS Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

By Bob Little / April 29, 2011

In today's business world, you need learning management system (LMS) software that's simple enough to be useful and complex enough to be relevant. During the Learning Experts' panel session at Plateau Insights, the European user group conference, respected experts in the learning technologies sphere agreed that the advent of social learning is far from causing the death of the LMS. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Learning Platforms

Opinions

The Best of Both Worlds

By Michelle Everson / April 25, 2011

When I am asked whether I enjoy teaching online more than I enjoy teaching in the classroom (or vice versa), it is a very hard question for me to answer. Experiences teaching in both online and more traditional classroom environments can make one a better teacher. What you learn from students in one environment naturally informs what you do in the other environment. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Blended Learning, Lifelong Learning

Opinions

The Rising Popularity of Mobile Learning Southern Europe

By Bob Little / March 22, 2011

For many years, the European markets for corporate e-learning have been strongest in the UK, followed by Germany and France. However corporate e-learning is slowly making its way across southern Europemainly Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece.There are early signs of movement toward personalized, contextualized mobile learning rather than use what has become known as "traditional" computer delivered e-learning. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Mobile Learning, News and Trends

OPINIONS, MY TURN

Academic Honesty in the Online Environment

By Michelle Everson / March 1, 2011

There seems to be a common sentiment that online courses open up the door for students to become more mischievous and dishonest than they ever would dare in a more traditional classroom setting, but why is that the case? » [Full Article]
TAGS: Design and Development, Lifelong Learning, Program Evaluation

Opinions

Not Another Icebreaker!

By Susan Doctoroff Landay / March 1, 2011

Lots of people hear the word "icebreaker" and cringe. Icebreakers are perceived as touchy-feely, frivolous, and a big waste of time. Still, despite their bad reputation, icebreakers remain a highly valued component of many learning sessions, no matter the age, level, or geographic location of the learners. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Assessment

Opinions

From 'e' to 'we' Learnings

By Bob Little / March 1, 2011

No one knows everything, but everyone knows something. Behind this truism lies the principle of empowerment through collaboration. It's hardly surprising that today's most innovative businesses are already using social networking principles to empower staff and benefit the wider organization through collaboration. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Social Learning

Opinions

Learning for Chocolate

By Susan Landay / February 16, 2011

Giving the gift of chocolate may go a long way in the classroom. Susan Landay not only shares her love of chocolate, but discusses how to recognize and inspire participation and performance. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Needs Analysis, Program Evaluation

OPINIONS, MY TURN

The Instructor's Role in Online Discussions

By Michelle Everson / February 8, 2011

Michelle Everson addresses a commonly asked question for online instructors: What's my role in the discussion? Some prefer to observe, others prefer to regularly interact with students. Finding the right balance can be challenging. » [Full Article]

Opinions

eLearning's Top Movers and Shakers

By Bob Little / January 25, 2011

Its time for the second annual top movers and shakers. Columnist Bob Little shares his opinion on the 10 most influential practitioners, commentators, facilitators and/or thought leaders in the eLearning industry. Find out if you made the cut. » [Full Article]
TAGS: News and Trends

OPINIONS, MY TURN

What Can You Gain by Teaching Online?

By Michelle Everson / January 11, 2011

When I tell people I teach online discussion often turns, rather quickly, to all that a teacher will lose when teaching in the online environment. I will be the first to admit that there are certain things we often take for granted in a physical classroom that can be more of a challenge in the online environment. However it's time we focused more on what can be gained by teaching online rather than what could be lost. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Assessment, Social Learning

Best Practices/Tips, Opinions

Predictions for e-Learning in 2011

By eLearn Magazine staff and contributors / January 6, 2011

At the start of each year, eLearn Magazine's editors, advisory board members, and other contributors predict what changes are afoot for the coming 12 months. Here are our predictions for 2011. » [Full Article]
TAGS: News and Trends

Opinions

Teachers vs. Cell Phones

By Geoff Klock / January 4, 2011

Four hundred years before Christ, Plato argued that technology, the written word itself, is distracting students from learning. Teachers today wish students would read a book sometime. The irony is stunning. As a professor, complaints that mobile phones distract from learning are ubiquitous. Text messaging, Facebook, and Twitter are the usual suspect applications. » [Full Article]
TAGS: Mobile Learning