ISD | Closing the Gap

While e-Learning has boomed and become a viable training solution, it may not always be the best solution for your client’s needs.  This session will explore how to analyze a client’s needs to determine the most appropriate approach and why instructional designers should be equipped with timeless skillsets rather than pursuing the latest trends.  Participants will work through scenarios of training needs assessment and discuss which solutions work best.

The SME / ID relationship can be complicated. Subject matter experts may not understand what designers do and push back on proposed solutions. Designers may not have the experience or confidence to react to a SME's questioning and rejection. This can make communication between subject matter experts and instructional designers difficult. This session will use real-life examples and improvisational games to teach instructional designers how to effectively communicate with SMEs in difficult or awkward situations

This session examines small but highly effective practices that Course Developers can adopt resulting in big changes that significantly increase the quality and effectiveness of their online courses. Learn how to make your instructors visible and give them space and opportunities to engage and motivate students to be successful in their online courses.

Max has a problem. He's trying to develop instruction that will make an impact on employees, but from his very first conversation with stakeholders, he's missing something: a great story for training. You can help him. In this session, you'll discover how to analyze for stories, use the Story Design model to create characters in conflict and deliver stories using tools you already own.

In this session, participants will learn practical hands-on ways to improve eLearning accessibility when authoring courses. For participants who would like to practice these design techniques alongside Laura Silver, please sign up for a free Lectora Online account ahead of time. Plus, Trivantis will give away a one-year license for Lectora Online's professional plan, valued at $900, to one lucky participant. Note: you must be present to win.

Research shows that visuals in learning materials enhance learners' interest, understanding and retention. But what if we are uncomfortable or untrained in creating and evaluating visual assets for learning? In this virtual workshop I will share a few tips and techniques to help you leverage the visual aspects of your learning materials.

This session will focus on course/training mapping, the Backwards Design Framework, and ways new IDs can use the process to map out and align a course as they begin working towards content design and development. A template will be provided and participants will have an opportunity to practice applying the concepts to a current project. An example will be provided for those that are not currently working on a specific project.

In this session, the facilitator will share a toolkit focused on critical thinking questions that are designed to generate a sharing of ideas amongst workshop participants.  Questions include (but are not limited to) how to consult with SME’s, what are they doing now, how they can perfect it, and ultimately test it with their constituents.