Online Learning Delivery

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How to Make Visual Communication in Online Courses Effective

What would you remember more of? The paragraph or the picture? “Luna [1] had decorated her bedroom ceiling with five beautifully painted faces: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville. They were not moving as the portraits at Hogwarts moved, but there was a certain magic about them all the same: Harry thought they breathed. What appeared to be fine golden chains wove around the pictures, linking them together, but after examining them for a minute or so, Harry realized that the chains were one word, repeated a thousand times in golden ink: friends . . . friends . . . friends . . .” Or A picture is worth a thousand words. Isn’t it? If you are like most people, you would have noticed Mona Lisa first and then gone on to read the para written above. In the world of learning and education, illustrations were given in religious texts in ancient times. Some of these illustrations would depict a particular portion of a biblical story in an image. Illustrations gained fame and popularity with modern books since the 1500s. The point being… Visuals deliver a clear, unified message and provide a consistent experience to the reader or learner. Learning is a complicated process. Moreover, it is considered successful when one is able to recite/ recall/ replicate the same content, in a different or similar setting. In case you are unable to recollect information you take some time and resource to revise it either online or offline.’ There are software to create online courses with all kinds of visuals. Adding relevant visuals to content has been found to improve learning by up to 400 percent. (1) That is why learning material that has photos/diagrams in the course helps students to recall better as compared to those students whose textbooks had... Read More

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SCORM? It’s time to move on!

In Google Trends, if you search for people’s interest over time in SCORM, the results do not look so promising. SCORM is fading out, and it is evident in the falling interest of people. So what has gone wrong? Why is SCORM, a gold standard for eLearning industry, facing this decline? A Quick Recap on Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) SCORM stands for Shareable Content Object Reference Model. It is a collection of standards and specifications that define how your course content interacts with your learning management system. In a nutshell, if your content and LMS are SCORM compliant, your LMS will be able to track the consumption of your course content. Also, SCORM compliance on both sides (content and delivery) makes the eLearning content portable, reusable and durable. As an analogy, think of your content as a “DVD”, the LMS as a “DVD player” and imagine the difficulties you would have to face if the DVD worked with just a selected type of players! What Went Wrong? Developed by Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL), an initiative by the Office of the US Secretary of Defense, the first version of SCORM (SCORM 1.2) soon became the industry standard[1] in education technology. Since then, although many advanced versions of SCORM have been released in the market to improve its features, its popularity has seen a drop. What are the reasons behind this? Let’s take a look: Content Creation The first step in setting up an eLearning course is creating your course content. With SCORM, this process becomes costly and difficult. SCORM content is designed in SCORM authoring tools (an additional step for the users) that give you a .zip file as an output, and this .zip file is then uploaded in the LMS. SCORM content authoring tools are not light on... Read More

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Video conferencing software for instructor-led learning

Teachers who teach online are continually looking for platforms that are easy to use and can facilitate the best delivery of their courses to the students. These teachers are not only spirited about the courses they teach but are also passionate about connecting with students online- as they would have connected with students in a traditional learning environment. Many teachers think that making videos, podcasts, PowerPoint presentations, and PDFs are sufficient to help them along in making a connection with students while teaching online. You may be a teacher just like the one we described above. You may be shaking your head in agreement to what we have stated and yet will ask us: ‘How can I connect with my students better?’ If you have tried everything in your online class, yet have not been able to crack the connect code – we offer a solution, that is being used, around the world successfully by the instructors – a video conferencing software or an online classroom software for instructor-led learning. Chris Roberts[1], Principal of Streaky Bay Area School, South Australia, talks about how the video conferencing software or virtual classroom is an enabler of learning. He says that it does not matter if the teacher is teaching in class or an online class. Any lesson delivered should be engaging. In a video conference or a virtual classroom, the teacher must be able to incorporate quizzes, interactive games, and activities that can help to form the connection. Teachers can also use a ‘document camera’[2] during the live class in real time to show a portion of a workbook or present a problem for the students to work on. Simultaenously it can help to generate interest from the students and push them to ask questions, and clarify doubts. This indeed can take... Read More

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After Sales Services that Your LMS provider must give to you

So, you’ve done the hardest part of choosing your LMS software and are now, going to buy it. However, what should your expectations be of the after sales services by your provider? Have you ever thought of looking this up before you make that purchase decision? Typically, most buyers do the necessary check – customer support services and think it’s a done deal. However, what else should be on offer? Checkpoints for the LMS Buyer All or a majority of these services should be given by a good LMS provider. Account Manager An account manager may be assigned to you for addressing your specific requests- such as a solution to a particular problem, and customization of the platform, among others. These managers give you time and attention as their job entails providing a personalized customer service experience. Account managers usually have a wide perspective of the markets, LMS trends and thus have focused approach to customer service due to data insights they get from their teams. Also, account managers work closely with the client and have a better understanding of their requirements. These data insights and understanding of their clients enable account managers to help the client with the right solution. Hence, account managers are able to solve for issues better. For example, account managers make informed decisions: Nicolle Paradise[1], (Senior Director- Client Experience for ADP) says that she uses the model called Listen, Action, and Pilot (LAP). She listens (makes inferences from) to ‘data’, learns lessons and creates an action plan. Nicolle then conducts a pilot run of her strategy to ensure that when she rolls out the plan to her other clients, they are happy. A customer success manager is responsible for implementing these initiatives to have a positive impact on the customer experience with the product. For... Read More

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Tips for video conferencing etiquette

Gone are the days when education dissemination was housed within a college or university campus; knowledge was shared with the limited, locally residing learners. Technologies such as video conferencing software and remote device connectivity application have made it possible for businesses, universities, colleges, test preparation centers and tutoring institutes to make seamless communication with their prospective and current employees, business partners, and students. Online conferences have made life easy for everyone as it helps connect people from around the globe at a convenient time and place. Just like real-world meeting and collaborative sessions, virtual sessions have several social protocols, widely accepted as the expected behavior. You don’t want technical glitches or behavioral mishaps to cause unbearable inconvenience. Yeah, we are talking about that background chitter-chatter, that screeching echo, and many more. Such meetings may be video conferences, formal business meetings, webinar sessions, interviews and online lectures. We all, at some point, have been a part of such an interaction. Maintaining social etiquette while interacting in such online meetings are as important as maintaining them in in-person meetings. Here are some tips for maintaining social etiquette while partaking in a video conference/ web conferencing as a speaker or a listener. Business Meetings- Online Whether it is for discussing a project plan or proposing a comprehensive solution to a potential client, formal video conferencing can have a major impact if done right. These online business meetings are usually two ways, and it helps to have a few established rules for communicating and behaving with each other across the screen. Clear your desk Before jumping on a video call, always ensure that your desk is clear of any personal artifact or objects that are irrelevant to the meeting. This has to be standard practice before any meeting. Business meetings are usually a serious... Read More

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10 Web Apps for Traditional and Online Class for interactive classroom collaboration

Imagine a scenario in a traditional class where the teacher is teaching a topic in Math. She has already shared the concept a few classes ago and now plans for the students to solve problems. She divides the class in groups of 5 and each teams sit together in a circle. She then hands over digital devices to them and asks them to open a particular web app on the device. The students then start working on the problems on the app – helping each other out with solving the problem and asking the teacher in case they get stuck. This is called collaborative learning. The students are learning how to be supportive to one another and encouraging each other to learn the concept. In collaborative learning, these apps are a medium to prompt students to talk to each other to sort a problem. Web Apps have changed the way students learn in a traditional class and online class. Web apps[1] are defined as “computer programs that utilize web browsers and web technology to perform tasks over the internet.” Why have apps become so important in classroom and online teaching? Web apps, Promote teaching and learning Encourage learner to contribute to learning – promoting motivation and performance Provide educational support – in terms of videos, audios, games, e-books or any other digital resource Track learner performance Organize and track information about classes providing insights Saves paper While there are apps that can be used in both traditional and online classes, there may be some that are more suitable to either educational set-up. Feel free to explore these apps in your traditional or online classes to experience. Before we proceed to the apps, we need to discuss what can these web apps do for the two learning environments to promote communication... Read More

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Tips for video conferencing etiquette

Gone are the days when education dissemination was housed within a college or university campus; knowledge was shared with the limited, locally residing learners. Technologies such as video conferencing software and remote device connectivity application have made it possible for businesses, universities, colleges, test preparation centers and tutoring institutes to make seamless communication with their prospective and current employees, business partners, and students. Online conferences have made life easy for everyone as it helps connect people from around the globe at a convenient time and place. Just like real-world meeting and collaborative sessions, virtual sessions have several social protocols, widely accepted as the expected behavior. You don’t want technical glitches or behavioral mishaps to cause unbearable inconvenience. Yeah, we are talking about that background chitter-chatter, that screeching echo, and many more. Such meetings may be video conferences, formal business meetings, webinar sessions, interviews and online lectures. We all, at some point, have been a part of such an interaction. Maintaining social etiquette while interacting in such online meetings are as important as maintaining them in in-person meetings. Here are some tips for maintaining social etiquette while partaking in a video conference/ web conferencing as a speaker or a listener. Business Meetings- Online Whether it is for discussing a project plan or proposing a comprehensive solution to a potential client, formal video conferencing can have a major impact if done right. These online business meetings are usually two ways, and it helps to have a few established rules for communicating and behaving with each other across the screen. Clear your desk Before jumping on a video call, always ensure that your desk is clear of any personal artifact or objects that are irrelevant to the meeting. This has to be standard practice before any meeting. Business meetings are usually a serious... Read More

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Online customer onboarding is a continuous process – know why

Customer onboarding is supporting a new customer to get started with a new product and helping them understand the product functionality better. Onboarding also positively impacts customer retention through the use of methods of engagement and knowledge sharing at the beginning of their journey with a brand. Online onboarding is mostly through videos, help cues, emails, calls via the customer success/support teams among many other ways. For physical enterprise software or physical products, onboarding may happen through onsite training, if the customer so demands. What is Onboarding? Once a prospective buyer makes a purchase, he/she becomes a customer. Soon after, the customer onboarding process begins. Customer onboarding is relevant for all industries and verticals, especially for organizations with SaaS products. Online onboarding software makes delivery of online onboarding programs for SaaS products easier to implement. This onboarding process is beneficial in many ways – such as it helps a) nurture a new customer b) them learn the nitty-gritties of the product and continue the relation for a long time. Another important aspect of setting-up a great onboarding process is that it creates the WOW factor with the customer. It encourages them to buy more products from the same business (cross-sell and upsell). In upselling, products of high ticket value are pitched to the customer. In cross-sell, related products to the customer’s purchase, are pitched to him/her. However, why is it continous? Let’s assume that a technology company sells products A, B and C. New customer purchases product A, get on-boarded and trained and in 3 months becomes well-versed with the product. As product A get new releases every month, the customer also learns to use the new features and his confidence keeps growing. In a year, he is a fan of the product, not just because the product is great,... Read More

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Online learning methods in a traditional classroom

Online learning methods in a traditional classroom

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How can Teachers Increase Social Learning While Teaching Online?

It’s becoming more common to take online classes or blend traditional with online learning. Ila Mishra, a specialist in both LMS and virtual classrooms, has this informative explanation of ho…

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The 10 essential features of an ideal online learning delivery platform | Your Training Edge ®

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MOOC: ‘Swayam’ -Spearheading the Education Revolution in India

SWAYAM is the world’s biggest MOOC platform, a program initiated by the Government of India. It is the world’s largest initiative of its kind taken by any government to consolidate the education governing bodies under one umbrella and make quality education accessible to country’s residents free of cost. The platform is developed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) with Microsoft as a technology partner. WizIQ joined forces with Microsoft to develop and implement the platform. The Government of India is focused on the following with this project: Reducing dropout rate in secondary and higher education Addressing inadequacy of higher education facilities in specific geographical locations Finding a solution for increasing cost of education Supporting a massive user base Taking education to a multi-lingual population Improving technology adoption across India Source: Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) About ‘Swayam’ The platform hosts over 2,000 interactive courses taught in Indian schools and colleges from 9th grade to post-graduation with e-content of 80,000 hours to be consumed by 30 million learners for free anytime and anywhere. The initiative was designed keeping in mind the three fundamental principles – access, equality and quality of education – to bridge the gap between the privileged and the less-privileged. SWAYAM differs from other MOOC platforms like Coursera, Udemy, Udacity, and Lynda.com in the following ways: The platform consolidates the apex education governing bodies in India. The courses offered are entirely in sync with the Indian education system. It hosts courses that are taught in physical classrooms in India. The earned credits are transferable to the main degree course if the candidate is enrolled in any. Microsoft Azure’s robust and infinitely scalable cloud infrastructure with automatic load balancing offers the elasticity to scale from 1 to 1,000... Read More

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Training needs assessment is the bedrock of a training program. For something as critical as employee training, planning to develop a training program begins

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How to create an impactful online customer training program?

When customers buy your product, they invest their money and faith in you- expecting your support when they are using the product. During onboarding, to help customers understand the product better, businesses use product tutorials along with constant customer connect to handhold the customers. These product tutorials may be in the form of short videos, help documents, manual, etc. Training impacts the customer experience[1]. In an exciting find[2], 64% of consumers and 80% of business buyers expect companies to interact with them real-time. Another statistic[3] claims that 55% of customers are willing to pay more for a ‘guaranteed good experience’. Through online training both these objectives may be achieved a) that of fulfilling the customer’s expectation of real-time interaction and b) a pleasant experience. In such product training models, the customer may be invited to join a web-meeting where he/she can interact with the trainer, watch demos and ask queries in real-time. However, the devil is in the details. Planning must begin before formalizing such training programs. Why? There are a few challenges in traditional customer training that need to be addressed in the planning stage. Challenges in customer training Traditional customer training has several limitations. Investment in infrastructure, cost of time and resources, and ensuring customer convenience are some of the limitations of this method. Let’s understand the fundamental challenges of training customers. High Cost: Hiring of trainers to give the training, organizing training (cost of the travel, conference hall, stationery items, stay arrangements) among other expenses add up to a significant amount. Low Reach: It is difficult to get customers situated in different parts of the world to congregate in one location for training. Wasted Time & Effort: The de-facto training operations requires the following: Traveling to the location of the customer or booking a training location Booking... Read More

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7 Amazing Facts about Flipped Learning

Flipped Classrooms have been around as an offshoot of blended learning methodology for more than a decade, now. In the flipped classroom, your students study at home and bring the homework to school. All conceptual learning, inquiries happen in the class, during a discussion with an instructor/mentor. Typically the class of students is divided into small groups which help the students to discuss, clarify, learn from each other during the review of study material. Flipped Learning in a School Setting Ms. Jenn Williams (RVS teacher)[1] is a social science teacher who wanted all of her students to be engaged, instead of just a handful. Jenn explained how she implemented the flipped classroom in her traditional class. Ms. Williams took the lecture component and broke them down to 10-minute videos, which the students got to see at home. She would then discuss the concept in class and give them projects/or research work that the students would complete by themselves or in small groups. Ms.Williams experienced that the students were more engaged and got great feedback from them. She has inspired other teachers to try the flipped learning techniques/flipped classroom model. Why is the Flipped Classroom Amazing? The flipped classroom teaching has found favor with many teachers because of the methodology: Increases learning dynamics interplay of time, pace, path, and place Videos are an excellent tool to review concepts as students have the option to re-visit videos any time. In case the student has missed a class or wants more clarity on a particular theory, the videos are there for them to view again, at their convenience. If students don’t have access to the internet, teachers could give videos on pen drives, hard drives / burn cd, etc. to enable students to learn using the videos. In another format called the in-class... Read More

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How to make online employee onboarding interactive?

As per the industry verdict employee onboarding will be a top initiative for businesses, second to recruiting.