Design

Rapid E-Learning

/ Susan Hendrich / 7 Comments

Just the nuggets, please…

The longer I spend in the instructional design world, the more I realize that rapid e-learning really means honing your craft to include a few key questions for SMEs, a few key shapes for your design, and a few key tricks for your creative process.  Check out Tom Kuhlmann’s Rapid E-Learning Blog for some proof. 

So, what are your key questions for SMEs? What two shapes might you choose to thread throughout your next e-learning interface design? And, what new tricks have you added to your repertoire of e-learning magic? 

Share the knowledge wealth!

Susan Hendrich

Quick, think of a name…

/ Susan Hendrich / 1 Comment

hello_my_name_is.jpghello_my_name_is.jpghello_my_name_is.jpghello_my_name_is.jpgWhat’s in a Name?

So, you’re writing a riveting scenario to engage your learners and you want to select names for your characters.  But you only have two minutes to pick names for your cast of virtual beings.  What do you do? 

I know! Go kleimo!

Check out this neat little random name generator, and you’ll be on your way to the worlds of Lenore Flesichmann, Maricela Rozar, Max Sellman, and Allan Jaffee. Here’s kleimo’s simple self-description:

“The random name generator uses data from the US Census to randomly generate male and female names. Use it for screenplays, fake id’s, car rentals, pick-up lines, books, prank calls, movies…”

Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

/ Susan Hendrich / Leave a comment

Coming soon…

PowerPoint Tricks

Five tips for effective storyboarding

1. Set up your palettes

·          Dock ‘em!
Align tool
Distribute tool
Order tool

·          Use the “Relative to Slide.”  

2. Stick with a shape

·          Choose a “threaded shape” – a shape that will repeat throughout your course.

·          Convert straggler shapes (e.g. go from a square to a circle) using “Change autoshape.”

·          Float your text.

o         Right click > Format Autoshape > Text Box > Text anchor point.

o         Right click > Format Autoshape > Text Box > Internal margin.·          Change shape sizes

o         Hold “Shift” button to retain proportions when sizing.

o         Hold “Control” button to retain center point when sizing.

o         Right click > Format Autoshape > Text Box > Resize autoshape to fix text.  

3. Provide a visual road map

·          Carry your colors throughout.

·          Repeat your formula (e.g. “Consider this,” “Quick summary,” “Up next”).   

4. Keep it clean

·          Break up busyness with shape and color.

·          Use your “Set transparent color” tool.

·          Use the “Format painter.”   

5. Hang on to “good stuff”

·          Add your “Color Chart” to all files, then delete at end.

·          Repurpose, borrow, and expand!