Experiencing eLearning

DECEMBER 6, 2022

I have also recorded several conversations about instructional design careers, freelancing, and other topics. I had a great conversation with Betty Dannewitz on her If You Ask Betty podcast. For one of my first podcast interviews, Jacqueline Hutchinson of The Lounge podcast and I had a lovely conversation on scenario-based learning.

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Experiencing eLearning

AUGUST 29, 2023

In a previous blog post, I explained how to start writing branching scenarios with AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard. I usually start writing the “ideal path” first. It gave me a long conversation instead of just a little bit of the next part of the conversation before the next choice. RITA (gently) Thank you.

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Experiencing eLearning

JULY 16, 2024

We did run a little longer in our conversation than her target episode length, so this is almost an hour long. We also started with some of my career history and how I got started in training and instructional design. Check those pages for links to resources mentioned in our conversation.

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Experiencing eLearning

MARCH 21, 2023

A lot of elearning starts with a list of formal learning objectives. “By the end of this course, you will be able to…” But should we really start our elearning this way? Is that really the best way to communicate with learners about the goals of training? No, I think we can do better. Or maybe not. Yes, absolutely!

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Experiencing eLearning

AUGUST 9, 2022

I recently had a lovely conversation with Dr. Luke Hobson for his podcast. We talked about everything freelance: knowing when to start, time tracking, finding clients, creating an LLC, pricing projects, making sure clients are the right fit, and more. Do you need an LLC to get started? Listen to the podcast.

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Experiencing eLearning

MARCH 23, 2021

Have you ever thought that adding scenarios might improve your courses, but you weren’t sure where to start? This presentation introduces the why and how of scenario-based learning to help you get started. You can use scenarios to “hook” your learners and draw them into the story right from the start.

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Experiencing eLearning

FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Conversational tone. Research supports writing with a conversational tone, including using second person (you) to address the learner directly. Using contractions is also part of conversational language. Every single time I write a voice over script, I aim for that conversational tone. What does that mean?

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Experiencing eLearning

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

Addressing learners directly, using a conversational tone, and aiming for plain language all help learners. I do this by scoring the decisions and adding to a total score each time. At the end, I check the score and show a feedback message based on the range. Try the scenario. You can try the scenario below. Good, OK, and bad choices.

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Ninja Tropic

MARCH 27, 2025

Heres how we build effective courses: Step 1: Training Needs Analysis We start by identifying knowledge gaps and business goals. Plan for Measurable Outcomes Selecting the right eLearning authoring tool is essential for creating effective and engaging training programs. Tip: Use storytelling techniques to make scenarios more relatable.

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Experiencing eLearning

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

It starts by knowing the benchmarks and understanding what others are paid for similar roles. Presentations on freelancing Getting Started in Freelancing Getting Started in Freelancing This is the recording of a panel discussion with myself, Lisa Crockett, Kimberly Scott, and Nicole Papaioannou, hosted by Kayleen Holt.

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Experiencing eLearning

MARCH 30, 2021

Shifting the conversation. ’ Starting right from the beginning, I work with you to analyze the need, design the instruction, develop the multimedia, and manage the project until launch. I’d start with a kick-off call with you to find out your needs. How did you respond? The original PowerPoint slides.

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Experiencing eLearning

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

Russell Sweep recently interviewed me for the L&D Hot Seat podcast for a conversation on scenario-based learning. That means you can hear a bit of some sample conversations for how I would handle objections in my conversations with clients, stakeholders, and SMEs. Upcoming events Creating Your Online E-learning Portfolio.

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Experiencing eLearning

MAY 10, 2022

It simulated a customer service chat conversation. Feel free to use this as a starting point for your own edits. Last year, I built a simple Twine chatbot in 2 hours. In preparation for my demo in the TLDC eLearning Tools Summit , I revisited my chatbot and made some improvements to make it look more like a real customer service chat.

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Experiencing eLearning

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

After I have completed my analysis for a branching scenario , I spend time planning before I start actually writing the content. My design document includes this summary, so the client and SME approve it before I start writing. My design document includes this summary, so the client and SME approve it before I start writing.

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Experiencing eLearning

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

SMEs will often start with general ideas like “provide quality customer service” or “improve communication.” What would it sound like in a conversation? They’re the ones with the expertise, after all. However, sometimes it can be a struggle to get good stories and concrete details from SMEs.

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Experiencing eLearning

JULY 6, 2021

This includes immediate feedback after each choice, right or wrong (appropriate for an audience with zero background in motivational interviewing, even if it breaks up the conversation). After each wrong choice, you get feedback and then are forced to pick the correct choice to continue the conversation. Twine resources.

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Experiencing eLearning

JULY 25, 2023

“The Office Romance Gone Wrong”: Tom and Rachel work in the same office and start dating, but their relationship quickly turns toxic. . “The Office Romance Gone Wrong”: Tom and Rachel work in the same office and start dating, but their relationship quickly turns toxic. I’m using the free ChatGPT 3.5

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Experiencing eLearning

MARCH 7, 2023

Next, you’ll examine samples to learn what makes writing sound “conversational” rather than stiff. You’ll practice drafting conversational dialogue between two characters. You’ll practice drafting conversational dialogue between two characters. A few additional events are in the planning stages right now. This is your chance!

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Experiencing eLearning

APRIL 18, 2023

Tuesday Presentation Roulette I always try to attend Presentation Roulette because it’s generally a highly entertaining start to the conference. Just before Presentation Roulette started, I was chatting with some of the Guild team. I always try to pull out one or two ideas from every session as key takeaways.

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Experiencing eLearning

FEBRUARY 21, 2023

Could we start with some questions about their job to focus on the topics they need? Kickoff call, SME interview In the kickoff call for a project, I start by asking about the goals and objectives. Last week, an ID asked me about my writing process. Prior to our call, she had reviewed a number of other resources and books.

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Experiencing eLearning

AUGUST 11, 2020

Many people start blogging but struggle to get past the first handful of posts. If I’m not feeling particularly inspired, it’s easier to start writing when the topic has already been chosen than to have to pick a topic and then start writing. That’s a lot of writing. Consistent publishing schedule.

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Experiencing eLearning

AUGUST 18, 2020

A colleague asked me, “Once you and your client have agreed on a branching scenario approach, how do you get started writing it? How do you get from the broad concept of training on X topic to actually creating the scenario?” ” The short answer is to “begin with the end in mind.” Begin with the end in mind.

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Experiencing eLearning

APRIL 28, 2020

I had the great pleasure of having an extended conversation with Keith Quinn for the SSSC (Scottish Social Services Council) Learncast. We started with blogging as a way to “show your work” and reflect on your practice. Recording this podcast on learning was genuinely a highlight of my week. Listen to the podcast.

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Experiencing eLearning

MARCH 19, 2019

Conversations are perfect examples. Do you always need to show a whole conversation from start to finish though? Your initial reply to a customer complaint or objection sets the tone and frames the whole conversation. However, no solution is the right approach 100% of the time. Not a Series of Decisions.

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Experiencing eLearning

OCTOBER 13, 2020

Unlike a linear course, it’s not as easy to know where to start writing. Do you start at the beginning and then flesh out each path as you write those choices? In my own work, I’ve found it’s easiest to write the ideal path from start to finish first. Do you write the endings first? Write the First Decision.

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Experiencing eLearning

JULY 9, 2024

This month marks 20 years since I started at my first instructional design job. It feels like a good time to pause and reflect on that first ID role, how my journey started, and how that shaped my experiences now. In my research on related careers, I discovered instructional design and started reading everything I could find online.

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Experiencing eLearning

JANUARY 19, 2021

In a previous post, How to Start Creating Conversation-Driven eLearning , I described how I use conversations between two characters (a mentor and mentee or learning character) to deliver eLearning content. In this post, I’ll explain how to write and structure these conversations for eLearning. Learner Challenge.

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Experiencing eLearning

AUGUST 31, 2021

As of this month, it’s been 10 years since I left my last full-time job and started my own business. Sometimes we start small with one-question mini-scenarios for assessments or another low-risk approach. In August 2011, I wrapped up my last project at Cisco and formed my LLC. The Ups of Consulting. Flexibility. Feast or famine.

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Experiencing eLearning

DECEMBER 1, 2020

This is part of a series of posts breaking down the process of creating a branching scenario from start to finish. Twine Makes Branching Scenarios Easier (includes step-by-step directions on getting started in Twine) Color-Coded Branching Scenario Format. The ideal path has 5 decisions to reach the best conclusion. Play the scenario.

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Experiencing eLearning

APRIL 14, 2020

Rance follows his own advice by starting every chapter with an example story. You learn alongside Dayna through her conversations with her mentor and her examples at each step along the way. Dayna starts by writing a very weak story, and then she iteratively improves it based on specific suggestions. Example stories.

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Ninja Tropic

APRIL 2, 2025

Competency-Based Training: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Skilled Workforce Businesses need employees who can perform their jobs effectively, not just those who have completed training. Competency-Based Training (CBT) ensures that employees develop the real-world skills necessary for success. What is a “Competency” Exactly?

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Experiencing eLearning

APRIL 30, 2024

I always start these conversations by asking about challenges people are experiencing with scenarios. This year, a lot of the conversation revolved around working with SMEs, including getting enough time to do the scenarios (and avoiding last-minute change requests). Josh did demos of a bunch of different tools in his session.

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Experiencing eLearning

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

The samples have some AI weirdness in the uncanny valley, as is seen in a lot of the image to video conversions, but this looks like a fun tool to explore. I wonder if you could use this for creating conversation simulations for training like branching scenarios. Ideogram: Helping people become more creative. AI Image generation tool.

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