Lately, I’ve been thinking about directions – where I’ve been and where I want to go. Unemployment will do that to you. Lots n’ lots o’ thinkin.’ Some bad, but most good. Think good thoughts right? I decided I want to focus my energy (when not focused on gainful employment) on the wonderful world of mobile learning, or m-learning, or good ol’ learning as many in our community prefer. Mobile learning, be it phone, tablet, or some such similar device is only going to expand. We, as learning professionals, need to be on the forefront of designing quality, performance driven training for mobile delivery. [Read more…] about The m-learning train has left the station
Adding a lightbox effect to e-learning
OK, so I got a two-fer out of my last post. I revisited an old Articulate module and added more effects, including a lightbox effect I created. The last post was more of a journey through my creative process. The Screenr below shows you how to create the lightbox effect for your own modules. Have fun!
ID Reflection: Revisiting an Articulate Module
I recently posted a question in the Articulate Community forum in which I asked for others’ suggestions on Building a Course without Audio. I was specifically looking for ideas to make a course more engaging when audio isn’t an option. In a previous job at a hospital system, our main learning audience was nurses. The majority of these nurses had to complete any/all learning on-the-job, which often meant at the nurses’ station between seeing patients. Not the most conducive learning environment. One major constraint this put on development was not being able to use audio in the courses. [Read more…] about ID Reflection: Revisiting an Articulate Module
Adding a wall and baseboard to your e-learning slides
In this followup Screenr, I add a wall and baseboard to our wood floor look.
I love it when a PLN comes together
I confess. I love my PLN (personal learning network). Engagement is the key. I am not the most extroverted person. In fact in junior high I was one of those guys standing uncomfortably next to the wall while the “cool” guys asked all the girls to dance. That’s ok, I never liked Spandau Ballet anyway. While I have definitely overcome that paralyzing shyness, I am still not one to “work the crowd” as they say. So, the social media thing kind of threw me for a loop as far as engaging with people. [Read more…] about I love it when a PLN comes together
How to reduce your e-learning file size
One way to decrease the size of your PowerPoint file, which in turn decreases the size of your published .swf file is to use the Save as Picture function in PowerPoint. For instance, if you insert a Clipart photo, you can dramatically reduce the size by using the following process.
1. Insert your image.
2. Right-click on the image and select Save as Picture.
3. Save the picture file with your other assets.
4. Delete the original Clipart image.
5. Click Insert Picture and select your newly created picture.
Actually, it is probably good practice to save the original image in case you need to go back and edit it. A good way to do this is to use two separate PowerPoint files; one for your images and one for your course.
Don’t think using the Save as Picture function can help decrease file size? Take a gander at the file size comparisons below.
The first is a .pptx file with the image inserted directly from Clipart and then saved. The second file used the Save as Picture process above and inserted the new image. Notice any differences in file size? Granted that isn’t gonna break the bank, but think about all the images you put into your e-learning course and how quickly that file size grows to monstrous proportions.
Another great point Tom Kuhlmann advocates is using slide masters as much as possible. To decrease your publishing time, put as many of your assets that you can on slide masters. It makes your publishing speed faster which makes you more efficient and productive.