eLearning Heroes #392: Using Text Variables (Work Out Loud)
Work Out Loud, eLearning Heroes Alison Sollars Work Out Loud, eLearning Heroes Alison Sollars

eLearning Heroes #392: Using Text Variables (Work Out Loud)

I am asked by transitioning teachers and other aspiring instructional designers about my process, and I feel like the “interview answer” doesn’t actually help them grow in their process as much as seeing it. (I have another project coming for that!) So each week, I want to post a new “Work Out Loud” activity of some sort here on the blog with a video where I show my thinking and goals.

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What tool for the job?
Development Exercises Alison Sollars Development Exercises Alison Sollars

What tool for the job?

This was designed as a Storyline sample, meant to practice the tool, so I never questioned, “What is the best medium for this learning?” But I did wonder, even though it only took me about 6 hours to source, edit, and lay out the graphics and another 2 hours to plug it into Storyline (which is pretty rapid for eLearning, even a short one), “Was this all necessarily helping?”

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L&D Book Reviews: The eLearning Design Handbook (Repost from LinkedIn)
Book Reviews Alison Sollars Book Reviews Alison Sollars

L&D Book Reviews: The eLearning Design Handbook (Repost from LinkedIn)

Who I would recommend it to: This is an easy entry level read so anyone can benefit, but it’s probably not the best option or at least starting point for someone who’s focused on Higher Ed (has a corporate focus) or uninterested in development, though it could be a good primer if they’re looking to diversify. It does focus on the whole process, not just eLearning. I’ll also mention the visual examples are Storyline heavy, but so is the industry, and plenty can be cross applied to other applications or used application “agnostic”.

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L&D Book Reviews: The Non-Designer’s Design Book (Repost from LinkedIn)
Book Reviews Alison Sollars Book Reviews Alison Sollars

L&D Book Reviews: The Non-Designer’s Design Book (Repost from LinkedIn)

Who I would recommend it to: This is another "entry level" book, and I'd recommend it especially to anyone who hasn't worked much with graphic design or graphic designers. It won't teach the depth of graphic design, but it's a great entry point, and I would recommend it before deeper graphic design or even UX design reads or courses. It's probably not that useful if you're already really skilled and confident in graphic design!

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L&D Book Reviews: Map It! (Repost from LinkedIn)
Book Reviews Alison Sollars Book Reviews Alison Sollars

L&D Book Reviews: Map It! (Repost from LinkedIn)

Who I would recommend it to: Anyone and everyone who is going to develop training, manage the development of training, measure the development of training, or engage in any way to support human performance efforts in an organization. It is not solely for "entry level" folks, but if you are moving from something like education to a corporate L&D focus, Map It can bring some purpose and business sense into your framework. Honestly, I have already re-read this book once and I will keep re-reading it!

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L&D Book Reviews: Design for How People Learn (Repost from LinkedIn)
Book Reviews Alison Sollars Book Reviews Alison Sollars

L&D Book Reviews: Design for How People Learn (Repost from LinkedIn)

Who I would recommend it to: Anyone in L&D! Understanding learners and how our brains work is so crucial to designing and delivering learning. Though the focus here is on designing, I think it would help folks interested in corporate training as well. I have seen teachers complain it's "review" and they already know this, but that doesn't mean it's not helpful to learn scenarios and how to translate and talk about cognitive science in a new setting.

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