Hi from another newbie

Welcome to the community! You might want to check out these similar threads here and here. And here are some tips on how to get started with eLearning development.

Oh wow, that's great thanks. I did try searching for similar topics but whatever I typed it just said none found.

Luke,

Welcome to eLearning Heroes! There are a number of programs and degrees. There is no universally agreed-upon name for our field, but most university programs usually go by something in this list:

• Instructional systems (IS)
• Instructional systems design (ISD)
• Instructional technology (IT)
• Educational technology
• Learning technology
• Learning systems

I'm a proud graduate of the Instructional Systems program at Florida State University, so I encourage you to check it out. The program offers online and face-to-face degrees, as well as professional certificates. You also might qualify for a reduced tuition rate under a new initiative that was recently introduced for out-of-state graduate students. If you'd like to learn more, let me know.

http://explorefsucoe.com/is

Thanks for the info Robert, I should've mentioned I'm in the UK but I'll take a look at what you've posted.

Hi Luke,

Welcome to the community! Like many others here, I fell into e-learning. I never planned it, I never dreamed of it, and I don't have a degree for it. For me, I ended up in a training-type job and had access to Articulate Studio. I started creating stuff, realized I like it, and beefed-up my experience and portfolio. After a couple of years, I was working in Storyline, I had some good experience under my belt and a comprehensive portfolio.

You absolutely DON'T need a degree in instructional design or anything to be successful in e-learning. You just need a portfolio to show your work. I would suggest building your skills by creating some stuff on your own. Once you have some good examples, build an online portfolio.

Tom Kuhlmann has a great post about NOT needing an instructional design degree.

Best of luck!

I also feel into elearning after a few years as a technical trainer. I also don't have a degree, but I am working on it. I do recommend getting yours if you have time and resources. While it isn't necessary, it will knock down a huge barrier (the HR machine) that will prevent you from getting a job.

But don't let this let you down. Work on a portfolio, develop some skills, read Tom Kuhlmann's posts and keep submitting those resumes. And if you have any more questions, this community is always willing to help.

Welcome Luke!

I also fell into elearning, but then went and completed a Masters in Online Education. Like with many fields, degrees do help, BUT, I absolutely agree with Tim that you don't needone. I agree that a good portfolio will speak much louder than a degree. I am in Australia, and while many elearning jobs do ask for a degree, it is totally possible to get a good gig if you can prove you can do the job, and a good portfolio can do that.

Best of luck!

Veronica

Thanks for the info guys, I really do appreciate it. It's very encouraging to hear that so many people just happened to come across eLearning and didn't set out in life to do it.

As it happens, I've been producing eLearning content properly for a couple of years now for my employer in my spare time. It was just something I offered to them one day and they loved the idea. The only issue is that it is very part time, I find I only get to do it in my own spare time in the evenings/weekends, which is fine but I really want to get into a full time position.

I do actually have an e-portfolio, I created it a couple of weeks ago to send to employers, but as I said, I've not had a single reply to any vacancies I've applied for. Here's my portfolio, would you say it's up to scratch? http://lhlearning.wordpress.com/

Sorry to bombard you all with questions, I just really want to get it right!

Thanks again

Luke

Hi Luke,

First of all - just keep trying to get in. One way is to get a role in HR, and grow the role from there, as "Instructional Design" in the UK/Europe is still a very young industry, which relies more on proven experience that degrees to get on.

I've had a look at the portfolio. There is some very good work there - but I think there's a fundamental flaw....(frequent readers will recognise what I am about to say...)

There's a lot of "text", text about "you", and text about the technology. Normally - and this may sound a bit harsh - employers do not really care about either. You need to get rid of the filler. People head to your Portfolio, then get a whole page that tells them to had over to the portfolio.. That's one "wasted click". On your "about" page, in effect you tell people you do something else for a living. Then there's a lot of "blah". Look at the content - is it content you would LIKE to have in there, or content that will HELP YOU GET A JOB? Sell the sizzle - not the steak.

All of the descriptions are very "tech heavy". I would really focus HEAVILY on the initial problem, and the benefits. Corporate training is only EVER about increasing profits, reducing losses, and/or reducing personal/business risk. Nothing else. Try and view what you did from those perspectives, even if they were school projects.

Do not use "doubt" words like "old school". Corporates/HR may read that as "old fashioned and now irrelevant...", and move onto the next candidate. Do they REALLY care AT THIS STAGE that it was developed in Flash5/AS3? Possibly not.

You possess two skills that will help you succeed in this field - you have great visuals, and you know how to write. Your writing is clear, crisp, concise and very "step-by-step"....an EXCELLENT skill for being an ID. Well done.

So - what I would say is this - get "business" focused rather than "IT focused" - because that is what being an ID is all about.

Ccreate more examples, enter David's weekly challenges, and above all read the HUGE Freelancers post at http://community.articulate.com/forums/t/16452.aspx

Hope that helps. Good luck.

Thank you very much Graham, that's brilliant. I completely understand your comments about there being a lot of text, another project I would like to produce is a short illustrated video, rather than just a wall of text as you've said.

I'll take your comments on board and I'll modify the portfolio when I get a chance.

Thanks again