E-learning – making to transition from classroom to electronic learning

Following my presentation to the BCS special interest learning group last month, I was involved in a discussion about the use of visuals in learning.

The question was posed – What techniques are ‘in’ and which are ‘out’ ?

My immediate reaction was nothing and everything – it’s not what you do but the way that you do it – anything works as long as it is congruent with the style, context and learning need.

But this got me thinking in the wider sense.

In a classroom the ‘screen’ pr PowerPoint presentation is ‘in the room’ – when it comes to e-learning the screen is not the screen but the room – this is an important factor for designers as we need to keep people involved. What works as a presentation in a classroom just will not work in ILO (Instructor led online) or e-learning environments.

In effect we also need to take into account that the screen is not just the ‘room’ but the viewer/ participant is in a room (their space) watching/ interacting with the room – in other words they will have additional distractions – both other people and interruptions such as email ‘pings’ etc. So our content and delivery needs to be very engaging.

How do you plan the ‘room inside the room‘?