Whose heard of Cecil B DeMille? The great director of the silent film era. His epics such as the Ten Commandments and Cleopatra still rank as amazing spectacles. But many great silent directors fell foul to new technology. Back then it was sound. Now it’s the internet.
Online learning has taken off. Educational institutions and corporations have embraced learning management systems for a number of reasons. It’s always there, therefore learners can ‘learn’ in their own time. It’s cost effective, especially where training is linear such as workplace health and safety, it’s environmentally friendlier > less printing, and if utilised properly it can build a community of learners.
The problem with some LMS’ are that they are so often one dimensional. There are pdf’s to download and instructions. Learner’s log on and log off and log is a good choice of words here. ‘I slept like a log.’
When I deliver training, I am conscious of the people in the room. Are they engaged and interested? Are they enjoying themselves? Are they learning?
LMS’ should also engage learners and if they don’t, they aren’t doing their job.
The interface is the first place they arrive at. It should be planned and built to engage and motivate.
John Caples’ AIDA is about good advertising…
Attention … get their attention
Interest … and their interest
Desire … stimulate their desire
Action … forge action
It’s not about downloading online documents. Self directed learners want more of an experience.
Like a good website, static elements are not enough anymore. Consider multi=media, chatrooms, links and moderate. Keep the conversation going.
Don’t be afraid of new technology, but direct it like CB.