So how difficult is it to create online learning modules?

It is very true that creating online learning is more difficult than creating stand-up didactic lesson. There is the software to learn and fight with, uploads of resources, and everything that you want to communicate has to be in writing. Like anything, though, the more you do the easier it gets.

Time is probably the biggest factor in the creation of online learning modules. The first ones that you create will take a lot longer since you are trying new things, figuring out the software, and putting your ideas on paper.

So is it something that an instructor can do? Sure. If you know how to use the basic software packages and can understand how to get around the web, you are already well on your way. Instructors can apply their classroom lessons to the web, and even add a few tricks.

Try it. You may like it.

k

Back in the mid-nineties, I was running a not-for-profit subsidiary for an association. My group was responsible for providing training opportunities for the membership and the industry with which it served. We not only saw training as a member benefit, but also as a membership recruiting tool. We never charged a "member" vs "non-member" price, although maybe we should have.

Around 1994 is when the internet really started to hit the mainstream. Netscape Navigator was king, and Windows '95 was on the horizon. The association upgraded its network to a whole one gigabyte hard drive for all 40 employees - and it was mirrored with another one gig drive. Wow...that was wonderful.

Our membership was national and getting to be international. So once we had a website up and running, we made the decision to try to teach online. In 1996 we opened our web school with a total of nine courses. These were similar courses to what we had in the traditional classroom, but those who could not travel now had access. That school is still running today.

The reason for the school hasn't changed, either. People belong to an association for many reasons, not the least being that they want to keep up with the latest information. Going to classes and conferences is a big part of information gathering, but travel costs keep a lot of folks from getting up and going away. Online solves that.

Your association can train online. Can you run virtual conferences online, too? More on that later.

Control is everything, so they say.

Why are companies, associations and others hesitant to enter into the world of online learning? There are a couple of reasons. First, it is new and foreign territory, and it's a pretty scary jungle out there. Second, there isn't anyone around who can grab the flag and run with it. And third, they know that they need it, so they take the short cut.

Write the check.

They buy someone else's generic lessons and run with it. Even though they don't really address their own issues. Even though they apply to anyone. Even though they really don't work well. But it's online, and that is what everyone is doing.

At TrainingOnTheWeb.com, we have a different approach. We come at this issue in two ways. First, we provide you with a platform from which you can create and maintain your own stuff. Then we also put together the International Association of Online Training Professionals (IAOTP.org) where we teach you how to design for the online environment, how to conduct courses, and put you in touch with each other.

Yea, it takes more time and effort, but it is worth it.

Control...a nice thing.

k

When we think about online learning, we always think "classes." Well, it can be much more than that when we get outside of the traditional definitions. I like to think that in the business world, online learning should be "online learning and resources".

When you prepare your plan for online learning, remember to keep in mind that just-in-time and on-demand training includes just-in-time and on-demand resources, too. Need a little refresher in that procedure that you learned, but maybe didn't retain as well as you should? A just-in-time resource can provide that little refresher training to be sure that you do it right the first time.

The possibilities are varied, but tagging them as "endless" is not too far from the truth. Use your imagination...and design what will work.

The International Association for Online Training Professionals (free membership...)
IAOTP.org Check it out!

Yea, not online learning - online TRAINING! The college folks have pretty much taken over the online school industry. Professors (yea, I am a college professor too, teaching online!)

When you try to find out things like best practices, design strategies, budget issues, or other information about online learning for the non-college environment, the list of resources is pretty short. The models that are out there assume that the students are taking organized courses on a set schedule. They are created to meet a laundry list of requirements that may or may not apply to our needs as non-college trainers. They lack the flexibility needed to create what we need to train our employees, customers, members and associates. They just don't work for us.

That is why we created IAOTP...to create a central site where you can get the information that you need, when you need it. We provide online training to learn design, teaching methods and other skills needed for the non-college online environment.

Check us out. You can join for free and take advantage of what we have to offer. We are a new organization and are working hard to build a place for you.

I will use this space to talk about what is happening with TrainingOnTheWeb and our online training and resource efforts. It seems that there is a big gap in the online learning world that has cut off the folks who need it most - business, industry, government agencies and not-for-profit associations. We need to change that.

Watch for news...