Possibilities of making classroom based practical via e-Learning

May 02, 2016

http://www.elearningserv.com/blog/downloads/how-to-tie-a-tie/story.html

I was working on an e-Learning module on how to “tie a knot to restrain load on the vehicle.” Till date, I have developed more than 1500+ hours of courses. But for the first time, I’ve got a situation where I felt as if I was running out of ideas to make the course interactive.

The challenge here was to teach the user how to work around with the ropes. If training was on software simulation, then gamification, scenarios and drag & drop would have made the things interactive. But here it was working with ropes and I was not sure how to make it interactive.

Initially, I used static images with explanatory text to explain the procedure on how to tie a knot. Later, I realised that it was not allowing the learners to practice it in a virtual environment. So, I tried to make multiple choice questions, but again I felt it was not so engaging.

By making the real time video or 2D animation, the content can be presented in a good format but budget will go up. More importantly, the client was expecting an activity which is more near to the reality.

Then I searched on web for ideas which can make my life easy. After browsing many websites and considering the flexibility available in Articulate Storyline, I’ve made an activity which gave a satisfactory output.

The output is interesting, engaging and near to the reality. Using the same methodology, here is an example of what we have developed on “How to tie a Tie?” Please experience the solution and provide your feedback.

22 Replies

Phil Mayor
Hero

almost 8 years ago05/04/16 at 7:18 pm (UTC)

Hi Irshad, I like it, I think it would be nicer if there were ore images that animated as you go through the sliders, more lime micro interactions.

It is a good use of sliders, perhaps changing the colour of the slider or tie so they are not similar, but great job.

Kristin Savko

almost 8 years ago05/04/16 at 7:20 pm (UTC)

Wow- what an awesome idea and execution. I definitely feel as though I retained the information better than if I had looked at a series of images...Well done. :)

Jackie Van Nice
Hero

almost 8 years ago05/04/16 at 7:25 pm (UTC)

I like it too, Irshad! Very clever approach. Phil's idea to make the slider thumb a different color than the tie is a good one.

The other thing I'd add is that since this is assisted practice (with the prompts telling you what to do) - the next logical step would be to have the learner attempt to do it without the prompts. That would be a good test as to the interaction's effectiveness and the learner's ability to process the information and act on it.

Well done and super creative!

Tracy Parish
Hero

almost 8 years ago05/04/16 at 7:49 pm (UTC)

Well done. This is just a brilliant use of taking something that most of us would use in only one manner and repurposing it into something very very different. I love the approach you've taken. I don't mind the slider the same colour as the tie. For me it worked in that in real life I'm not grabbing an knob to move the tie around but the tie itself.

Agree with Jackie, that yes the next step would be to see if they can move through the steps on their own. Very well done. Thanks for sharing this inspiration.

blair parkin

almost 8 years ago05/04/16 at 7:54 pm (UTC)

Very nice Irshad! Adding to Jackie's point, I would've liked to then try it myself without the prompts to see if I could recall the steps.

One thought I had was to replace the default slider thumb with a hand image to reinforce that you are holding onto the tie and moving your hands as you do it.

Mike Jones

almost 8 years ago05/04/16 at 7:58 pm (UTC)

I really like how you've used sliders for this activity, Irshad! One question I have though is, with the act of working with the ropes (or tie, in your example) being a physical task that relies heavily on muscle memory, is dragging in a given direction really going to translate to the learner learning the requisite movements?

I love this as an application activity, but would start out with a series of short video clips or a step-graphic where someone models the sequence, then have the learner try to recall the proper order by putting the steps into sequence, and finishing up with something like you've created here. My concern, and experience, was I was focused on the slider/motion with the tie and completely missed the steps.

almost 8 years ago05/04/16 at 8:10 pm (UTC)

Nice idea on the hand image, Blair!

almost 8 years ago05/04/16 at 8:13 pm (UTC)

I like your idea of getting to know the steps in order first, Michael.

Ashley Chiasson

almost 8 years ago05/04/16 at 8:33 pm (UTC)

You could even add hotspots to prompt certain feedback if the user doesn't interact with the slider in the proper manner.

Mary Cropp

almost 8 years ago05/04/16 at 8:58 pm (UTC)

I like it! In addition to the already helpful feedback above, I would think abut flipping the "try it on your own" element with the slider practice interaction. As an adult learner, I would want an option to try it on my own before I needed to use any of the (helpful!) job aids. If the learner does well, a "you are a pro!" type feedback message pops up. If they struggle, then they go through the slider interaction. Finally once more they are given the "do it on their own" interaction. Rinse and repeat until they can do it with whatever % of error you have predetermined is acceptable.

almost 8 years ago05/05/16 at 5:07 pm (UTC)

audio accompanying the slider movement would seal the deal.....

almost 8 years ago05/10/16 at 11:07 am (UTC)

Hi Phil!

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, images and colors would have made a difference.

almost 8 years ago05/10/16 at 11:09 am (UTC)

Thank you kristin!

almost 8 years ago05/10/16 at 11:14 am (UTC)

Hello Jackie. First of all, thanks for the brilliant idea. Feeling good!

Yes, I completely agree with you on the 'try it on your own' concept. It definitely helps to evaluate the learner on what he had grasped from the interaction.

almost 8 years ago05/10/16 at 11:21 am (UTC)

Thanks for the appreciation Tracy. Agree with you and Jackie!

almost 8 years ago05/10/16 at 11:24 am (UTC)

I totally agree with you Blair and thanks for sharing your views. Nonetheless moving hands instead of the default slider would have made more impact.

almost 8 years ago05/10/16 at 11:33 am (UTC)

Given the fact that it has some kinesthetic learning value, I feel this practice would definitely translate into learning and the learner would be able to retain the info for a long time.

Initially, I thought of showing it as a series of short video clips but I wanted to keep it simple and utilize the resources within the Storyline and make it effective. So I used Storyline slider feature to create this interaction.

almost 8 years ago05/10/16 at 11:34 am (UTC)

Thanks for your recommendations Jason. I would surely implement it!

almost 8 years ago05/10/16 at 11:39 am (UTC)

Thanks for the suggestion Ashley! I thought the red arrow would suffice to prompt the learner to take the next step including the learner instruction.

I welcome your suggestion!