eLearning Guild’s Midwest Instructional Design Symposium

eLearning Guild has a Midwest Instructional Design Symposium coming to Chicago, July 9 to 10.  The event consists of two larger eLearning lectures and several smaller sessions.  I find the opening session by Brent Schlenker, an emerging technologies analyst at eLearning Guild to be most interesting.  The description of his session says:

New media and Web technologies are having a significant impact on the world today. The most visible impact is on the newspaper business and the music industry. But instructional design is also under fire as the debate stirs around its relevance in the 21st Century. In this opening keynote presentation, Brent Schlenker presents an engaging look at the exciting opportunities available for both instructional designers and training departments to rise to the occasion and become more relevant than ever.

We need more discussion of the role of new media on instructional design.  I find, on various projects, that many old school IDs are out of the loop when it comes to the practices, theory, and general discourse regarding new media technologies.  There exists many conferences, websites, and information on various media, but we need more discussion on new media and instructional design.  And how the role of the instructional designer is changing due to the emergence of new media technologies.

This eLearning Guild conference may be a good starting point.

2009 Chicago Convergence

The 2nd annual Chicago Convergence (previously the Chicago New Media Summit) is coming this September 20-23.  The events seem a bit more interesting/inclusive than last year.  I’d say they have definitely expanded their appeal to various types of media creators and lovers.  Just from the description on the website, the Convergence has a brand new feeling of celebration and sharing:

The Conference is four days of remarkable presenters and performers.  It begins with the ‘Sound Convergence’ at The Hard Rock Hotel; live music festival, exhibits and presentations building the future of the music industry.  Then continues at The Spertus Institute for three days of VIP presentations, innovation labs, networking events, exhibits and socials; forging our collective excellence and broadcasting it to the world.

Sounds awesome!

Writing for the web

Instructional designers, we write often!  Content development, technical information, instructional plans, scripting, etc…

Because of the demand our field places on good writing skill, I will start a Writing for the Web course next quarter through my DePaul NMS Graduate Program.

I script every spare minute I can grab onto.

I write technical content all day for the current project.

Still, I find this course appealing.

Aside from HTML code and font choices,  I never really considered writing for the live web much different from that of regular print documents or computer-based training.  So, I googled “writing for the web”…

[a few good] Web Writing Resources

1. Writing for the Web is Different
2. Writing for the Web 3.0
3. Writing Well for the Web
4. How to Writer a Better Blog

*** Resource #3 says to avoid that whole “click here” navigation tactic. Wow! Let us have a moment of silence for my all too frequent use of CLICK HERE…

Watch Educational Film Online!

PBS/Frontline Documentaries…a good resource for those interested in educational film.

eduTech gEEk Must Haves: Ten eLearning Publications

While researching for an upcoming project, I came across several helpful eLearning publications.  Some of which I believe all eLearning professionals (or those with simple interest in eLearning design) should have in our book collection.

A list was created.  I refrained from calling my list the “Top Ten eLearning Books.”  In all actuality, the growth of computer and web-based learning has caused an abundance of publications to flood the market.  There are so many resources, which makes it difficult to produce a valid Top Ten list at this point.  Perhaps this is something to come in a later post.

For the basic, intermediate, or advanced designer/developer:

• Basic level books upon which one can build a foundational understanding of e-Learning design, development, and implementation.

1. Designing E-Learning (ASTD E-Learning Series, 6th Book), by Saul Carliner
2. e-Learning by Design, by William Horton

• Intermediate level books for those of us interested in becoming the “go to” e-Learning designer & manager within our organizations.

1. Project Managing E-Learning (ASTD E-Learning Series), by Bill Shackelford
2. Learning by Doing: A Comprehensive Guide to Simulations, Computer Games, and Pedagogy in e-Learning and other Educational Experiences, by Clark Aldrich (John Wiley)
3. 144 Tips on Synchronous e-Learning Strategy and Research, eLearning Guild Publication*
4. 239 Tips for Producing and Managing Flash-Based e-Learning Content, eLearning Guild Publication*

• Advanced level books for those designers interested in the technological implementation (LMS, LCMS, etc.) of eLearning modules and courses.

1. 382 Tips on the Selection of an LMS or LCMS, eLearning Guild Publication*
2. 339 Tips on the Implementation of an LMS or LCMS, eLearning Guild Publication*
3. Designing World-Class eLearning: How IBM, GE, Harvard Business School, and Columbia University are succeeding at eLearning, by Roger C. Shank
4. E-Learning: Strategies for Delivering Knowledge in the Digital Age, by Marc J. Rosenberg

* denotes FREE eBooks available through eLearning Guild

eLearning Magazine’s 2009 Predictions

The goodies have arrived.

…eLearning Mag’s 2009 Predictions!

You Choose Our Content

eLearning Tool Chest

Quick Post: eLearning Tool Chest…a resource for books, software, and additional resources.

Enjoy!

Skills to Pay the Bills

For the New Media Studies work, I researched professional and technical skills needed to succeed as a writer and designer. 3 categories I focused on: writing, digital design, eLearning

All pretty helpful as far as taking our talents to the next level. (Click HERE to read the actual posting )

Basic Skill Level for an eduTech gEEk

• Knowledge of ISD Process
• ADDIE Module (Technical Training)
• Document Layout: MS Word, Adobe FrameMaker
• Writing: Technical & Instructional Writing
• Visual design software: Adobe Photoshop

Intermediate Skill Level for an eduTech gEEk

• Expert knowledge of ISD for eLearning
• Instructor-led course delivery experience
• Document layout with Adobe InDesign
• Visual communication knowledge
• Module integration with LMS (publish to proper format)
• Intermediate HTML/CSS
• Authoring tools: Lectora, Captivate

Advanced Skill Level for an eduTech gEEk

• Advanced HTML/CSS
• LMS Integration and Operation
• SCORM Publishing
• Advanced video editing and script integration for eLearning and LMS
• Advanced Design Software Skills: Photoshop, InDesign, Flash, DreamWeaver, Fireworks
• Extremely skilled in web design to the point where I can freelance as a Web Designer and eLearning Manager

Anything else you deem important? If so, leave a reply and we will include the information in future posts.

De Anna L Fench
eduTech gEEk writer

eLearning Conferences

Click HERE for a list of worldwide eLearning Conferences

Of course, I want to attend at least one domestic and one international. I will keep you all posted on the events eduTech gEEk attends. Perhaps we can blog from the conferences…a twitter of some sort.

De Anna L Fench
eduTech gEEk writer