Microlearning is a buzzed-about approach that even people outside the learning and development field might have heard of. But for all that talk, it’s not always clear what this term really me...
Published 9 years ago
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Hi Brian, I was wondering how you go about demonstrating the software to your learners. Do you stick to a recording of the software in action with comments and information on screen or do you find that an on-screen presenter or simply audio over the demonstration work best? Our company is moving away from face to face training to save on expenses etc and will be relying on e-learning and documentation as its sole form of systems training so was just wondering what others approaches are. Thank You.
Shaun.
Shaun.
Hello Shaun,
I would be happy to answer this question. So speaking strictly from a Storyline approach because we use this type of coursework for people who are learning the software for the first time. Our approach is broken into three different offerings within a lesson. There is the actual content that goes over the learning objectives, important concepts, and specific information one needs to know before using the product. There is also a demonstration which takes a business case and applies into using the product. Some lessons also offer a simulation where the learner can complete a series of tasks similar to the business case. Note: This is more than just a click through.
We make the content portion required and the demo and simulation optional. In relation to this article, I think we apply micro-learning into our training in that we cover a topic or learning objective and then have an informal assessment. We repeat this process in the content and eventually do have the formal assessment. The demo is a specific business case that is usually 2-5 minutes long.
I am happy to hear you are moving away from live training. We offer something similar and my team has been urging other departments to move away from this and just have recorded sessions with a live QA once a week or something like that. I hope my response has helped you. One thing I did learn when we revamped our coursework two years is that our learners love screenshots. It is a pain to upkeep but it really helps with the learning of our products. Your learners know best :)
Brian Seaman
I would be happy to answer this question. So speaking strictly from a Storyline approach because we use this type of coursework for people who are learning the software for the first time. Our approach is broken into three different offerings within a lesson. There is the actual content that goes over the learning objectives, important concepts, and specific information one needs to know before using the product. There is also a demonstration which takes a business case and applies into using the product. Some lessons also offer a simulation where the learner can complete a series of tasks similar to the business case. Note: This is more than just a click through.
We make the content portion required and the demo and simulation optional. In relation to this article, I think we apply micro-learning into our training in that we cover a topic or learning objective and then have an informal assessment. We repeat this process in the content and eventually do have the formal assessment. The demo is a specific business case that is usually 2-5 minutes long.
I am happy to hear you are moving away from live training. We offer something similar and my team has been urging other departments to move away from this and just have recorded sessions with a live QA once a week or something like that. I hope my response has helped you. One thing I did learn when we revamped our coursework two years is that our learners love screenshots. It is a pain to upkeep but it really helps with the learning of our products. Your learners know best :)
Brian Seaman
- Thank you for the quick response Brian. Much appreciated. I like the sound of the live QA. I might try and incorporate something similar through our SharePoint site. Yes I agree screenshots are well liked, in documentation and e-learning. We have a lot to maintain and small changes in systems keep us pretty busy. Thanks again. Shaun.
- Hi Brian,
Very interesting, I do software training too and I was wondering how did you do the simulation if not a click through (step by step option in storyline)
Thanks!
