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Some people question the value of web-based training, unfavorably comparing it to
the old correspondence courses popular in the 20th century. But Web-based training
(when done properly) is far more effective at transferring knowledge than the old
correspondence courses, and can be more effective than sitting in a classroom with
an uninvolved teacher.
Good online training has several characteristics which involve the student in the
learning process. First the tutorials must be carefully animated to illustrate the
key points of the material. Animations shouldn't look like the latest television
commercials because commercials are created to titillate and excite in order to
stimulate interest in buying a product. Transferring knowledge is a deeper process
and involves not only keeping the student's attention but visually conveying vital
information.
While tutorial animations shouldn't look like a marketing video, they also can't
be dull either or students will lose interest. While 3D animation may offer the
most visually effective way to create tutorials, unfortunately the expense of 3D
animation makes it cost prohibitive except in the most exceptional circumstances.
Tutorial animations should be interesting and should emphasize or illustrate the
key points in the material.
Other key factors in making effective animated tutorials are voice overs and linear
text. If an online learning course doesn't have a voice-over then it won't effectively
transfer knowledge to students. Why? Because since children we have been taught
to learn while listening to teachers and instructors. Without a voice-over, an online
learning course is little more than a book online, and it's much easier to read
a book than text on a screen. Equally important to having a voiceover is having
a good voiceover. No one wants to listen to a radio commercial or a dull, scratchy
voice for more than a few seconds. Good audio is vital to involving a different
part of the brain.
It is widely accepted in the academic community that there are three primary modalities
in learning: Visual (seeing), auditory (hearing) and kinesthetic (touching). While
online courses will always be somewhat lacking in kinesthetic learning, it is vital
that both visual and auditory modalities are effectively used. So, in addition,
to good animation and voiceover, we recommend adding a textual element to the animations
that calls out key principles or facts in the material. By giving students additional
visual cues provided by text, you increase the protential for comprehension and
understanding.
By its very nature, online education can't be kinesthetic in the true sense of the
word, which is to learn by touching. There's no way to dissect a frog or heat chemicals
online, but you can simulate them. And that is where interactive exercises come
in. Good online training should have interactive exercises or simulations that allow
the student to test the knowledge they've gained through watching a tutorial. These
exercises can take various forms from crossword puzzles to advanced game simulations,
but the whole idea is too use the knowledge rather than simply absorb it.
Assessments also reinforce knowledge and are a a critical component not just to
test whether a student has understood the material (which is important for administrators
and instructoers), but by giving the student quizzes during the course, the student
is once again required to use the information. By using it, it becomes reinforced
in the student's mind and comprehension increases.
Assessments are also important at the end of the course. Major companies can and
do spend millions of dollars on training their employees, but if there are no final
assessments there is no way of knowing whether or not the training was effective.
So assessments don't just test the student, they also test the learning provider
and the online course.
People can be taught on the Web, just like people can learn from books. But by effectively
adding many learning modalities into the online material, students can learn more
and more effectively than they can by stopping by their local bookstore. |