Creating engaging e-learning

A couple of months ago I used the delightful Prezi tool to do a presentation at the e-learning Network, in London, on how to make e-learning engaging. (Thanks to Clive Shepherd and Rob Hubbard for setting this up).

Well, actually it was more a personal account of the journey I've been through (over 26 years!!!) in trying to figure out how to engage people in learning experiences - mainly, but not exclusively, in the area of learning with technology.

For the purposes of the presentation, I divided my journey into four phases, each reflecting a particular emphasis. Of course, it's not be quite a neat as that, but see what you think.

Comments

[Mark Fletcher]

Hi Patrick,

This is a fantastic presentation, cannot thank you enough for sharing this information.

Regards - Mark

[Brown]

In truth, immediately i didn't understand the essence. But after re-reading all at once became clear.

[Jane Brotchie]

Enlightening! I have always thought of myself as an author but I now realise what I do is design. Thanks for these insights.

[Richard]

Fantastic presentation.
Have recommended itto others
cheers.
Richard

[Ian]

Many thanks for a excellent presentation.

[Chris Brannigan]

Wow Patrick, a deeply meant thank you for sharing this work. It’s a great synthesis for all of us.

Your thoughts on design process resonate highly with me. In designing Immersive Sims we have moved from the linear based approach to an agile iterative process that uses many of the principles you describe. The linear approach gave clients a great document and gave us credibility in getting projects, but in practice was completely unsuited to producing an effective experience. The agile methodology, the use of prototypes, continual playtesting has turned this on its head. Instead of a monstrous design document, the client gets prototypes that are then continually added to, refined and tested through a specific cycle of iterations that deliver the agreed outcomes.
The process delivers much better solutions, its faster and clients prefer it as it involves them much more in a creative process, its much more flexible and they see progress much sooner. We needed tools to make this really work, but once we had them then the dyke burst and a move to the agile process was inevitable.