G.A.S. and Simulations

As your e-learning development skills improve, you may begin to use games, avatars, and scenarios together in different combinations. It's recommended that an e-learning episode begin with a story-line (scenario) that builds and builds all the way to the end of the lesson, taking twists and turns appropriate to the content being provided. The learner becomes involved in the story immediately, before any knowledge content is presented as an experiential learning episode. An avatar may be presented as a coach, providing the knowledge content and feedback to the learner as decisions are being made. A game may be thrown in at the end, instead of a test, if a grade or some form of measurement is needed. A game might also be used as a way to break up the story, sort of like an interactive commercial that tests the knowledge that has been presented up to that point in the lesson. There are a variety of ways to include games, avatars, and scenarios in e-learning opportunities for individual learners.


You may even consider building simulations. On-line simulations are 3D versions of scenarios that sometimes have a game-like feel, and may employ instructor and/or student avatars. A friend of mine explained the difference in scenarios and simulations like this: scenarios are the story, simulations are the event. Simulations use the scenario story line while allowing the learner to engage more fully into the event. Simulations become games when a competitive edge is added. Adding avatars to the simulations, especially when the student's avatar interacts with other avatars, increases the socialization of the e-learning process, which can improve the effectiveness of the learning opportunity since many people learn best in social environments.


There are so many ways to utilize games, avatars, scenarios, and simulations for educational purposes online. Explore the options, experiment with techniques, run pilot tests, and most of all...have a gas!

Games

Games have proven to be effective learning aids in clasrooms. They can also be effective for online learning!

Different games support different types of learning. For instance:

• Jeopardy style games are good for promoting facts, labels, and concrete concepts.
• Arcade style games are good for promoting speed of response and visual processing.
• Adventure style games are good for promoting problem solving and hypothesis testing.

There are two keys for using games effectively

1. Keep the learning objective at the forefront by choosing/building games that provide the type of practice needed to meet the objectives.
2. Do not overload the learner's short term memory.

An online search for "game templates" will yield a variety of opportunties for designers to begin using games quickly. These screen shots came from PowerPoint Games , a web-site which contain free game templates meant for use in a classroom setting but they can be modified slightly for use in an e-learning program. Check out Jane Bozarth's book Better Than Bullet Points for more information on how to modify them for e-learning.

Of course, there are many programs available now for purchase for more games.

As your e-learning development skills improve start building customized games for even greater impact.

Useful books to reference include:

• Ruth Clark & Richard Mayer's book: e-Learning and the Science of Instruction
• William Horton's book: e-learning By Design
• Robin Williams' book: The Non-Designer's Design Book

References for this blog include the books just mentioned, and:

Barkland, J., & Kush, J., (2009). GEARS a 3D virtual learning environment and virtual social and educational world used in online secondary school [Electronic version]. Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 7(3), 215-224.

Landy, S. (2010). Online Learning 101: Part I: Authoring and course development tools. eLearning Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.elearning.org/subpage.cfm?section=articles&article=124-1. (2010, Octover 6).

Shank, P. (2010). Getting started in e-learning: Simulations and games. The eLearning Guild. Retrieved from http://www.elearningguild.com/research/archives/index.cfm?id=144&action=viewonly. (2010, August 2).

Slotte, V., & Herbert, A. (2008) Engaging workers in simulation-based e-learning [Electronic versin]. Journal of Workplace Learning, 20(3), 165-180.

Tools

Someone new to e-learning design may be shocked at the number of tools available and needed. The fact that it often requires several types of tools to construct the masterpiece you've dreamed up can also blow you away. In fact, when I began I became overwhelmed with the number of tools being loaded on my computer and wondered how in the world I would learn to use them all. Honestly, that is still a work in progress for me. (You can see by this table that I need to focus some learning on improving my graphic art skills.) This journey, however, has helped me understand more clearly the types of tools available and when they might be used. Be comforted because many of the tools are user friendly so getting started doesn't take too much time. Here is a short list (not exhaustive in any sense) of types of tools available for e-learning designers.

Good news! Many tools being introduced are like swiss army knives in that they can be used for more than one task. Some of the tools listed here are multipurpose. The way designers use the tools depends on the knowledge and skill of the programmer. Remember to start with what you know and add a little more knowledge and skill with each e-learning module you develop.

Be sure to check out the blogs and links on the right side of this blog page. There is a wealth of knowledge a support about e-learning available.

I'd be interested to know what your favorite tools are and why.

Breathe Easy

I found this terrific book:
Wow, if you already use PowerPoint pretty well, you can start building better e-leaning right away with the information that is in this easy to read book. What a relief!!

Turns out, PowerPoint doesn't always have to be bullet points. There are lots of ways to use pictures, insert movements and videos, and create games that the learners can enjoy engaging in while learning important information. PowerPoint is also capable of supporting branching styles scenarios. If many of the skills you teach are relationship building skills, branching is an important feature for the e-learning tools you should employ. PowerPoint can also be used to create games and simple simulations that move into action on your user's command. These are great ways to quiz learners or show how objects work together for a particular function.

You can order this easy to follow book from Amazon.com.

Your Turn: Anyone else use PowerPoint to build engaging e-learning? Share your story here in Comments!!

There are other useful tools that an eLearning designer can use, so stay tuned...