October 8, 2014

And I’m back…

It was crazy to see it’d been a year since I last posted. Didn’t feel that much time had passed and at the same time it feels longer. I could ramble on a list of reasons (kids, music, work, etc.) and they are valid, but the biggest piece is, I didn’t make the time.

So here we are in the midst of another fall. Kids are back in school, baseball is coming to it’s grand close, football is in full swing, and November is around the corner. So, like a tree in autumn, I’m going to transition this post to Movember.

I’ve blogged in the past about it and feel like now is a good time to again. Movember is a month long campaign to raise awareness and funds for men’s health…specifically prostrate cancer and men’s mental health. As a man, I relate well to this. As a person in our society, I’ve seen many men affected by both of these. So, along with millions of other men globally, I’ll be shaving my face and growing a mustache starting November…er…Movember 1. Check out us.movember.com for additional information.

And…to get us started or prepared I present you with the 2014 edition of Name That Mo’!

Cheers!

 

Name That Mo’! was created with Articulate Storyline.

October 1, 2013

Colors

LeavesCh-Ch-Changes

Fall is in the air. We all feel it, especially those of us in the Midwest. And what’s the one thing you hear about the season? The colors. I’ll admit, I think they’re great and find them somewhat rejuvenating. They work together so well which leads me to wanting to discuss color in learning modules.

Often times we are asked to stay within a color scheme or a template. Templates and color schemes are indeed important mostly for consistency’s sake. However, realize your audience may become bored in the same old look and feel…they may need some rejuvenation, too.

With eLearning, I sometimes take this approach.

  1. I start with the title slide in the template everyone is used to. It shows the company logo in the appropriate color, the title is listed, etc.
  2. Then we fade into the new look, new scheme. This can be straightforward or you can make the change more exciting by bringing in elements with some animation (careful to not get carried away though).
  3. Depending on the subject matter and setup, the final assessment may refer back to the old look and feel, but not always.

Be mindful of what is acceptable within your team, business, and with your business partners and make sure to run things by them before getting in too deep.

Choosing the Colors

Now, choosing colors isn’t or shouldn’t be as simple as “what am I feeling like”. It needs to be based in your theme which hopefully you have chosen.

I went with some bolder, brighter colors in this module especially with the characters. The theme is a road trip, so a prominent color used throughout is the dark grey road with dark greens and browns in the background. Also, road sign green and blue were used in the buttons.

RoadTrip

In this module I went even simpler with an office setting using a basic blue background with some gradiency, teal, dark blue and black for subjects, and a brown desktop that I also used for a background/perspective change.

Office

Microsoft Office

One you have your theme, you can start finding the right color scheme. Microsoft makes it easier to choose themes with their built in color groups and allows you to build your own. This can be a great place to start and it’s easy to try different ones out while you’re working to see if one works better.

MSColor

Color Scheme Designer

If you’re looking for something different, try the free site colorschemedesigner.com.

You can play with different combinations (mono, complement, triad, tetrad, analogic, and accented analogic). By clicking on the color wheel you get to choose your main color and based on the combination you’ve chosen, it will select complimentary colors.

  • Get a Light and Dark page preview.
  • Click on the Color List tab and get the color value for each.
  • You can also export the list which will give you each color value and its RGB value.

It’s definitely worth playing around in to find the right combo for you and your course.

Other

Another place to look? Try websites. Look at websites you like and you’ll probably find great color combinations. Capture the pages as images and replicate the colors. (SnagIt™ is a great tool for capturing and decoding.)

Try it Out

Changing things up can be beneficial for your audience. However, you’ll want to mindful of business standards and what your partners want, so make sure to check in with them prior to making dramatic changes. Most of all, have fun.

Happy Designing!

August 13, 2013

Masking Information

maskedkidMasking Information

No matter what business you design for, every once in a while you’ll have the need to mask or hide information on a document or module. The most common and often easiest way out there is to simply cover up the information or remove it.

blackout

Though this serves the purpose of not sharing private/personal information, it can also be distracting for those using your modules. That’s why you should consider two other options.

Option 1 – The Blur

Depending on your image editing tool, this option is quick and easy will serve you well for many jobs. Blurring the information allows the user/learner to see that, yes, information can be present in those fields and the focus is not the specific information, but fields themselves and maybe the system/process being trained.

blur

In most applications, you will need to select the area of the image you wish to blur and then select the amount. This will vary between applications and you should adjust appropriately to fit your specific need. (The above was done in TechSmith’s SnagIt.)

Option 2 – Alternate Text

When done well, this option protects information and allows the user/learner to see information in fields. This option can also take more time, especially when you’re new to it, but if the purpose of the training relies on information being readable yet protected, this is the way to go.

alt1

By using existing letters within the image, you can alter the information so the names are “fake”.

alt2

To use the existing letters, I zoomed into the image and carefully copied and pasted the letters I wanted to use in place. In some cases, it meant “moving” some text over to make room. The benefit of going this route is that your font will be exactly the same.

Another way to alter the text, is to remove the current text and then, using a text tool, adding new text in. This can be a faster solution, however, you risk having the text being different or slightly different making it stand out more to the user/learner.

alt3

maskonlyBefore You Put On The Mask…

Determine your purpose.
• Does the end user need to see actual information or is it not needed to reach the objectives?

Once you determine the purpose, you can decide which option will work best.

Happy Designing!

July 12, 2013

Linear vs. Non-linear

I had a discussion today with a coworker about Linear and Non-linear self-paced eLearning. And, though I’ve shared this before with the Articulate 9 Tips & Tricks, I thought it would be valuable to share again.

First of All, What is “Linear”?

Linear is going from point A to point B in a straight path. A linear module would be one that only allows the learner to go from “slide” to “slide”.

Linear

Non-linear modules are set up so that the learner may choose their path or direction. For example, if you have a module that has three distinct sections, you can allow the learner to choose which sections they want to complete and in what order.

nonlinear

Allowing the learner to choose, helps them “pull” the information they want instead of it being “pushed” on them leading to more satisfaction and higher retention.
However, there are times when a more linear approach is necessary. Consider the foundation. Will a learner benefit from having one piece of knowledge to build off of?

Pulling vs. Pushing

The idea of learners “pulling” information can also be applied to each item or bit of knowledge. When you pose information in scenarios and questions, the learner may be apt to want to “figure it out”.
Games, puzzles, questions, etc. don’t have to been saved for reinforcement or assessment. These can be done to suit your audience, too, without them feeling grade-schoolish.
See this example. You could also build activities where choices take the learner further down a path (think Choose-Your-Own Adventure books) so that they can see the result of their actions.

Non-linear learning modules are great for, but not limited to:

Knowledge-based learning – especially for dividing up topics/subtopics
Refresher training – those annual modules that we have to take annually
Process-based training – share the process up front, then allow learners to go down different scenario paths and “practice”

Remember, the key is pulling information versus pushing it. Allowing learners freedom to pick and choose what they want to take out of a module places the responsibility on them.
Worried about them not taking specific parts? Think about your assessment. A strong, valid assessment will help ensure whether your learners come away meeting the objectives.

Consider your content and consider the best way your learners can “pull” what they need out of it.

Happy Designing!

July 10, 2013

Power Point Shortcuts

When we’re designing training material, we’re often under the gun to complete projects yesterday. “Shortcuts” offer us the ability to get to an end result more quickly without sacrificing the quality of our product.

You may be familiar with some of these; if not, try them out the next time you’re working in Power Point and see how they work for you.

CTRL+X, CTRL+C, CTRL+V: These are the basics, common in most tools: X for cut, C for copy, and V for Paste. If you’re not using these, consider trying them out for awhile. They help eliminate mouse clicks and movements. Simply highlight or select the item you want to copy or cut, and press CTRL+C or X. Use CTRL+V to paste the item in the desired location.

CTRL+B, CTRL+I, CTRL+U: These are also common in most tools and are specific to text. B for BOLD, I for Italicize, and U for Underline. Highlight text and use the shortcut to change the text OR use the shortcut prior to the text you type. Saves in mouse movements and clicks.

CTRL+Z: Undo. I can’t tell you how many times I use this shortcut…I’m sure several times composing this blog. This is another shortcut common in other programs, too. Make a mistake such as changing a font, altering a shape, etc. and you want to go back to the way it was before? Select CTRL+Z for Undo.

CTRL+A: Select All. This can be handy in selecting all elements on a slide (or all the text in a document) in order to change, move, or remove everything at the same. You’ll want to be mindful that you’re within the slide. If you’re not, you’ll be selecting all slides. (See CTRL+Z for getting out of a jam.)

CTRL+D: Duplicate a slide. Here you must be out of the slide itself. Click on the slide you want to duplicate within the thumbnails on the left and select CTRL+D. This is super handy when you want graphics and layout to carry over to the next slide. Saving you from recreating them or copying/pasting elements separately. (This one works in Articulate Storyline, too.)

CTRL+M: Create a new slide. As with the above, you need to be outside of the slide itself. Click on the slide you want to add a new slide after within the thumbnails on the left and select CTRL+M…definite step saver. (This one works in Articulate Storyline, too.)

SHIFT+Draw: Create perfect squares or circles. After selecting the type of shape you want to insert, hold SHIFT while drawing to get a perfect square or circle.

Right-click Menu: Right-clicking on a selected item or text will offer you a menu of common tasks, often saving you from selecting the correct tab/ribbon to locate the action you want to take.

Shift+F5: Preview your slide in presentation mode. Do you want to preview the slide you’re working on in presentation mode? This allows you to jump to the slide you’re on instead of having to click through until it appears. (By the way, F5 on it’s own will start presentation mode from the beginning, which can be handy, too.)

Of course there are many other shortcuts, but these are some of the most common ones that can assist you in getting from Point A to Point B a little more quickly. Note that it may take some getting used to, but you’ll be zipping right along in no time with consistent use.

Happy Designing!

April 1, 2013

April Fooled?

jesterApril Fooled?

Has it happened to you…a project you put a lot of hours into only to learn your end result isn’t what was desired? I’ll admit it. I was recently fooled.
In hindsight, I can see opportunities where questions or conversations could have/should have been had. I also see this recent incident as a “one off” or rare occurrence, but it’s reawakened me to the importance of clear communication and goal-setting at the start of a project, even when it’s within your own team.
Below are key elements that I find are important to have when starting a project. These items may be easy or difficult to determine, depending on how you receive your projects and the processes in place.

where to
When you receive a new project, what’s the first thing you look for?
The end, right? We ask, “What’s the desired outcome?”
We can then take that desired outcome (or outcomes) and break them down.
What knowledge is needed to get to point B? Are they all starting at point A? etc.

checkpoints
A key element in Development that, in my experience, often overlooked is setting up touch points. Sometimes our partners expect to meet once and then see the final result the next time we meet. So, it’s important we do two things: Level Set and Set Touch Points.
As designers we often feel like a broken record when talking with business partners. We have to map out our process each time, ask for subject matter expert contacts, and set goal dates for all reviews.
Maybe you only need a couple of touch points, but without them you could end up at the end of the road with a product your partners don’t want. Also, determine the best way to communicate the necessary information for a touch point (i.e. email, phone call, meeting, etc.) It may seem tedious at first, but having these nailed down at the beginning will make the ride smoother for all involved.

postitsWith some projects, you aren’t going to be able to say right up front how long it will take to develop because analysis is needed. You have to sometimes remind your partners that until the analysis is done, we may not know the length of the training, the optimal delivery type, and the length of time it will take to develop. Be patient with them and remind them we’re all set on meeting the same goal.
Then, when you’ve determined the best route, make sure you have other options available to share and the risks involved. For example, you may have determined the best solution is a web-based training, but your business partner may be set on instructor-led delivery via webinar. Be prepared to offer a solution to provide that, but include the risks up front.

With that, I’m going to take an opportunity to turn something frustrating and unfortunate into something positive and share the backgrounds of the project that will never be. (Check out the screenr http://screenr.com/El67 to see how I used it.) Here’s the file… http://dl.dropbox.com/u/39136229/Downtown/Downtown.pptx
I went with a downtown office building theme where learners choose where to go in a cab, then enter each building’s elevator and grab the information they need. I hope you can use it…and hopefully I will be able to soon, too.

November 12, 2012

Making ClipArt Work for You

If you’re like me, you may be challenged with the amount of available graphics you have. Though I work for a large organization, it’s hard justifying funds for graphics. So, many times we have to create our own.
In this two-part example, I show how you can ungroup clipart, add and remove elements, and create a whole new image, and in this case, a slide background.

Couple items to note: (1) this was all done in PowerPoint 2003, yes, 2003. Which means you’ll have even more control and options than I do. (2) not all clipart can be ungrouped.

Hopefully, this will give you an idea of what you can do with some clipart to make it work for you when you need to.

Part 1: http://screenr.com/CRH7
Part 2: http://screenr.com/DRH7

Cheers!

November 5, 2012

Name That Mo’!

It’s Movember! What’s Movember you ask? Movember is a month-long event (replacing November) where gentlemen all over the globe raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and male mental health.
They do this by donating their face for the month, starting off clean shaven and grow their best moustache (mo’ or ‘stache). They then reach out asking family, friends, and their communities to donate.
This is my second year joining the event and thought I’d put my online learning skills to use and create a fun quiz to go along with it.
If you feel inclined, please visit my Movember page to learn more and donate!

Play Name That Mo’!

From the online learning perspective…I created this game/quiz using Quizmaker with the help of PowerPoint to create the background graphics.
Instead of enabling the automatic pass/fail feedback for each question the user is taken directly to a slide with the answer. This can be just as effective, if not more effective when providing learning checks along the way in a course or, in this case, a fun quiz/game. I probably wouldn’t use this technique when creating a more formal learning assessment though.

Check it out and have fun!

Cheers,
James

October 3, 2012

How to Create a “Tablet” in PowerPoint (w/ a social networking twist)

I’ve created some modules recently where I use a launch page to allow users to go to the different sections of the course, see the objectives, and go to the end. Instead of providing the objectives in a linear fashion in the beginning, this allows the learner to see the objectives as often or as little as they want.

In this example I wanted to have the objectives be displayed on something that was part of the launch page environment…in this case, the office desk setting. I had created what was originally going to be a picture frame and thought, “why can’t it be a tablet/ipad?” So I went with it. The learner clicks on the tablet/ipad and the objectives are shown with a familiar social networking app look to them.

Check it out here and let me know what you think.

Cheers.