The term “Rapid eLearning” is often used to describe the conversion of an expert’s PowerPoint slides into Flash SWF files with a software package like Articulate Presenter. However, the phrase “Rapid Interactivity” hasn’t been as prevalent.
On Wednesday, March 11th at the eLearning Guild’s Annual Gathering breakfast, I will be heading a discussion on ways to increase interactivity. I am looking forward to learning from those bold enough to join me at 7:15 in the morning. Creating eLearning that asks the learner to first think and then do should be the goal of all designers and course developers. It is a journey that needs to travel beyond the matching, sequencing and other standard drag & drop exercises that have become common place.
We have developed an interactivity calculator to help with this discussion. This interactivity calculator looks at variables and components that impact the quality and level of user engagement. Here is a list of the interactivity level components to start your thinking process:
- User Interface
- Simulation Elements
- Graphics & Animation
- Narrative Elements
- Reusability
- Reporting
- Audio and Video Assets
- Expert Knowledge
A discussion centered on the investment in each of these components will help shape the learning object’s complexity. Share with me your ideas on how to increase interactivity in your own eLearning project.