Adobe Learning Summit 2009

Adobe + eLearning…

What: A conference that discusses the latest eLearning tools, practices, and skill using applications from the Adobe eLearning Suite

When: November 9, 2009 // 8:00 am to 7:30 pm

Where: Fairmont Hotel // San Jose, CA

Keywords: eLearning, learning technologies, virtual classrooms, Connect Pro, Captivate, Presenter, Adobe eLearning Suite, education, inspiration

Benefits: Connected with DevLearn 2009 // Reception at Adobe headquarters (also known as “heaven” to us techie designers–”woohoo”)

Chicago eLearning & Technology Showcase 2009

& Technology Showcase 2009

________________________________________

What: Chicago eLearning & Technology Showcase

When: August 19, 2009 (Wednesday), 8:30 am — 6:00 pm

Where: Roosevelt University (Downtown Chicago), 430 S. Michigan Ave

Hosted by: CISPI, CTC Chicago, & CCASTD

________________________________________

This event showcases the latest practices and technologies for eLearning design and development.  There are several interesting speakers/sessions.  One session covers mobile simulations! Awesome.

As eduTech gEEks, it is common for our formal training and acquired talents to overlap between instructional designer/developer/technical writer/new media developer…this showcase targets all interests.

________________________________________

For more information: http://www.chicagoelearningshowcase.com/

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…

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!

eLearning Tool Chest

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

Enjoy!

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

HOW Magazine Article on Instructional Designers, “Learning by Design”

Things have been pretty busy with the grad program and the current Info Mapping content development project. All things progressing with me….hoping the same for everyone else.

So, how excited was I a few weeks ago when I received my December 2008 issue of HOW magazine. There is an excellent article by Michelle Taute titled, “Learning by Design.” The lovely article is all about how instructional design is not only a part of the educational world, but the design industry as well.

There are so many juicy parts. I’ll just extract a few.

“From the classroom to the boardroom, instructional designers create training materials for all kinds of learners, bridging the gap between teacher and students. Here, we explore this little-known facet of the design industry.” (p 96)

“Almost everything I build is designed to be repurposed…I create the framework, then the professors provide the content — whether that’s multiple-choice questions, video clips of them demonstrating something or creative writing samples.” (p 96) Daniel Stanford, DePaul University Instructional Design Consultant

All the reason why I work on my new media design skill.

***Resources relevant to this article***

http://www.danielstanford.com/

http://www.scadelearning.org/

http://www.ecollege.com/index.learn

Person Daniel Stanford,

Right click for SmartMenu shortcuts

De Anna L Fench
eduTech gEEk writer

Chicago Lectora User Group (CLUG)

Did you know Trivantis has a Lectora user group in the Chicago area?

Yeah, I already knew about that…like in February.

And you didn’t tell me.

Uhh, no…sorry?

Urgh!

Just a little humor, for a blah morning.

Today, I was searching for some information on Lectora (eLearning authoring tool training) and I found an actual user group in Chicago. They are the Chicago Lectora User Group (CLUG).

This makes me very happy…with all my technical writing jobs, I am not doing as much eLearning these days.

I have emailed the contact person for the Chicago group…hopefully this will lead to some really great eLearning opportunities and Lectora growth. I will keep you all posted.

Here’s the site I found the info on…maybe there’s a group in your area!

Enjoy!

De Anna L Fench
eduTech gEEk writer

To Be or Not To Be: Writing vs eLearning

Writing technologies, writing for technology, writing about and with technology…all of these have become such a huge part of my work. What happened to eLearning? Am I in transition?

Transitioning…you know that moment in your career where your professional interests are changing and the type of designer you once thought you’d be is so far from the type of designer you are becoming?

There…that place right there…I find myself.

For educational technology, I always seen myself more into eLearning and multimedia. Although I am still “here” officially, my interest in professional writing and document design is taking off. Just look at the last several posts on my blog…

Anywho, perhaps this is something all people go through. To be or not to be an eLearning professional? To choose writing technologies and doc design over hardcore eLearning? Blasphemous!!!

Truthfully, I am uncertain.

I guess writing is a huge part of eLearning and so is document design. So I am not straying too far. Maybe it is my expanding knowledge of eduTech…naturally, the boundaries on my instructional design perspective are beginning to stretch into other areas. Perhaps :-/

De Anna L Fench
eduTech gEEk writer