Using Interactive Job Aids in E-Learning #17

Challenge of the week

This week your challenge is to show us how to use job aids in e-learning. You can share examples of job aids that were used in place of courses, integrated into courses, or offered as course alternatives.

Blended learning examples

One of my favorite examples of how job aids can be used with asynchronous courses is the Van Valen’s Gold Rush Journey project.

The linear course format will be familiar to most course designers. What makes this course so effective is the remarkable way it includes job aids to guide the student’s historical thinking on Westward Expansion.

Tools

You can use Articulate Storyline, Articulate Studio ’09, Articulate Studio ’13, Microsoft Word or PowerPoint to show your e-learning job aids.

Resources

Here are some community resources to get you started.

Blogs

• How to Avoid Building Online Training That Wastes Time
• What We Can Learn About Instructional Design from Post-it™ Notes
• Job Aids as Spoilers in E-learning Courses

Tutorials

• How to create job aids using: Articulate Storyline and Word and using PowerPoint and Word
• How to build interactive job aids in Articulate Engage

Discussions

• Ideas for designing quick and effective job aids
• Suggestions needed for an interactive job aid
• When is e-learning not the solution?
• What do you do when it's not an elearning course?
• Repetitive worksheets in a course

Last week’s challenge

You guys sure dragged out some amazing examples for our last weekly challenge. One of the things I love about these challenges is the supportive way you build upon each other’s ideas.

This was our biggest challenge to date, so take some time to check out the inspirational examples your fellow community members shared over the past two weeks:

• Ana Lucia Barguil kicked off the year’s final challenge with three drag-and-drop games inspired by one of Tom’s free templates. As always, Ana shared her Storyline source files. Thanks, Ana!
• Rıdvan Saglam spent more than 30 seconds on his creative drag-and drop game but we think every second—or minute or hour—was worth it. Not to let time slip by, Ridvan shared an updated version.
• Kimberly Bourque her day job to create interactive map demo that was inspired by a recent challenge entry from Montse Anderson.
• Rameez Hendricks introduced himself to the community with a drag-and-drop example that will ensure we always remember his face. Well done, Rameez!
• Jeff Kortenbosch found a unique angle for drag-and-drop by sharing his menu navigation example. Thanks for the creative ideas and source file, Jeff!
• Joseph Ramanui proved that the only thing better than doughnuts is a Simpsons-inspired drag-and-drop game. Joseph then took things in a different direction with his Zombie Maze Game. Don’t be scared to check out the source file he shared. Thanks, Joseph!
• David Lindenberg shared a more peaceful interaction with his character-based drag-and-drop timeline. Great example, David!
• Ari Avivi shared an out-of-the-box example that lets learners practice their radio codes.
• Paul Alders shared a colorful drag-and-drop interaction designed to teach children to recognize important colors. Lots of possibilities for this type of interaction. Great job, Paul!

Note:

The weekly challenges are ongoing opportunities to learn, share, and build your e-learning portfolios. You can jump into any or all of the previous challenges anytime you want. We’ll feature your work and provide feedback if you request it.

Have a gr-aid week, E-Learning Heroes!

Even if you’re using a trial version of Studio '13 or Storyline, you can absolutely publish your challenge files. Just sign up for a fully functional, free 30-day trial, and have at it. And remember to post your questions and comments in the forums; we're here to help. For more e-learning tips, examples, and downloads, follow us on Twitter.