I am starting a Masters Degree in e-learning design and development shortly and although final project is not until May, I really wanted to get a headstart on brainstorming ideas.
Just wondered if any one out there had any genius ideas?!
I realize this is a bit vague and lacking information but just looking for an idea that I can build on!
If the canvas is blank then I would recommend your subject matter be something you're passionate about. You could start there and brainstorm about possible ways to utilize training/elearning to educate an audience on that subject.
If you post some of those passions here then you might get more feedback from the community as well. I know I've seen some great ideas from members when approached with more than a blank canvas. It helps trigger the creative juices.
Some things I am passionate about are beauty (cosmetics, skincare etc), Im an avid golfer, have an interest in travelling, love the concept of vlogging and youtube. Hopefully that helps a little!
So, based on your responses the obvious things to me are how-tos.
For instance, with beauty you could do some education on skincare, followed by specific things to keep your skin in top shape. You could make it a narrow focus (product, cleaning, etc.) or make it more comprehensive with sections (foods for glowing skin, importance of water, how to cleanse your skin, how to exfoliate, what not to do, etc.).
A how-to for golf could be how to perfect your swing (I know, it's obvious) which could include everything from swing mechanics (with nice graphics and animations), to how to find a good instructor. You could always attack another, more neglected aspect of the game, like how to get out of the rough. Or--one not so neglected, but one that provides some additional interest since in training we deal so much with how the mind works--the mental side of the game.
I would go a different way. What part of instructional design drives your passion for the subject? What practices bother you the most? For instance, are all steps of Gagne's Steps of Instruction required? How big should "chunks" of learning be? How should navigational elements be displayed. Do learning improve if there is a how to use this elearning course screen?
If you want to develop a learning project I wouldn't go with a subject that you an expert at. This isn't a realistic experience as a instructional designer, rarely am I an expert on what I am developing. Besides, even as experts we can only communicate a small percentage of what we know. Develop a complete project from start to finish on something you know nothing about. Do your needs/task analysis, develop objectives and learning experiences. Maybe do it once using a Gagne Nine Steps and again using Merrill's First Principles.
Hi, Laura: Congratulations on beginning a very exciting level of learning in a Master’s Degree Program! Please consider combining the information from the above suggestions since they both are great suggestions. You could be your own expert while building your design - after all you are still learning the elearning field. For instance, in your golf world, you know there is a process and you no doubt are passionate about it, so apply the mechanics of needs assessment, Gagne and/or Knowles and/or Piaget and maybe a little Skinner along with Kirkpatrick. Try to envision the end-user throughout. My favorite method is to provide a non-linear style to the design so that if the end-user is brand new to the topic, then there is information for that person. And if the end-user is more advanced, then that person can skip the basics. There are wonderful examples of awesome training templates here at the e-Heros site and I am sure that once you view them you will know the direction that you want to take your design. Good luck in your educational endeavors!
Thank you all for the suggestions, super helpful! One thing is clear, I have a lot of research to do. I may come back here when I have a clearer idea of what I am going to do.
But for sure you have all got the creative juices stirring! Thanks again :)
6 Replies
If the canvas is blank then I would recommend your subject matter be something you're passionate about. You could start there and brainstorm about possible ways to utilize training/elearning to educate an audience on that subject.
If you post some of those passions here then you might get more feedback from the community as well. I know I've seen some great ideas from members when approached with more than a blank canvas. It helps trigger the creative juices.
Thanks Michael, your absolutely right!
Some things I am passionate about are beauty (cosmetics, skincare etc), Im an avid golfer, have an interest in travelling, love the concept of vlogging and youtube. Hopefully that helps a little!
So, based on your responses the obvious things to me are how-tos.
For instance, with beauty you could do some education on skincare, followed by specific things to keep your skin in top shape. You could make it a narrow focus (product, cleaning, etc.) or make it more comprehensive with sections (foods for glowing skin, importance of water, how to cleanse your skin, how to exfoliate, what not to do, etc.).
A how-to for golf could be how to perfect your swing (I know, it's obvious) which could include everything from swing mechanics (with nice graphics and animations), to how to find a good instructor. You could always attack another, more neglected aspect of the game, like how to get out of the rough. Or--one not so neglected, but one that provides some additional interest since in training we deal so much with how the mind works--the mental side of the game.
I would go a different way. What part of instructional design drives your passion for the subject? What practices bother you the most? For instance, are all steps of Gagne's Steps of Instruction required? How big should "chunks" of learning be? How should navigational elements be displayed. Do learning improve if there is a how to use this elearning course screen?
If you want to develop a learning project I wouldn't go with a subject that you an expert at. This isn't a realistic experience as a instructional designer, rarely am I an expert on what I am developing. Besides, even as experts we can only communicate a small percentage of what we know. Develop a complete project from start to finish on something you know nothing about. Do your needs/task analysis, develop objectives and learning experiences. Maybe do it once using a Gagne Nine Steps and again using Merrill's First Principles.
Hi, Laura: Congratulations on beginning a very exciting level of learning in a Master’s Degree Program! Please consider combining the information from the above suggestions since they both are great suggestions. You could be your own expert while building your design - after all you are still learning the elearning field. For instance, in your golf world, you know there is a process and you no doubt are passionate about it, so apply the mechanics of needs assessment, Gagne and/or Knowles and/or Piaget and maybe a little Skinner along with Kirkpatrick. Try to envision the end-user throughout. My favorite method is to provide a non-linear style to the design so that if the end-user is brand new to the topic, then there is information for that person. And if the end-user is more advanced, then that person can skip the basics. There are wonderful examples of awesome training templates here at the e-Heros site and I am sure that once you view them you will know the direction that you want to take your design. Good luck in your educational endeavors!
Thank you all for the suggestions, super helpful! One thing is clear, I have a lot of research to do. I may come back here when I have a clearer idea of what I am going to do.
But for sure you have all got the creative juices stirring! Thanks again :)
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