E-Learning Myths Busted

As the world is gradually shifting from traditional classroom to a more connected, global learning network, the term e-learning is gaining recognition all over the world. However, for many people, the fear of the unknown still clouds their vision, and they still view e-learning as an alien concept. Many still look at e-learning with a mixture of worry and trepidation, since most people are not fully aware of its benefits. As with any other nascent idea or concept, e-learning is also underscored by countless myths, which make it hard for newbies to experience virtual learning. The sooner these myths are debunked, the earlier e-learning will attract more people. Here are a few myths that are completely untrue about e-learning:

E-Learning is only about technology

This is a common yet one of the inaccurate myths. The primary objective of e-learning is the transmission of knowledge, concepts, and ideas around a central theme. In this case, technology takes a backseat. It only exists to facilitate the learning process for a student, which means that it acts only as a conduit for the learning process. The content determines how effective and interesting a course is, and addresses the “why’” and “what” of the same for students. In simpler words, technology is concerned with the “how” to present concepts, and doesn’t really have much to do with the “what” of the content. Therefore, the more compelling the content of a course is, the more likely are the chances of people wanting to take up that course. Additionally, the content of an e-learning course is often far more superior than that of a traditional, instructor-led course. Some of these e-courses also offer certifications.

Teachers will be replaced

It is fairly understandable as to why this myth exists in the first place – it could be hard to understand why a teacher is needed at all for a course that is delivered online. Although, it is also worth mentioning that a traditional teacher’s role has now undergone a sea of change along with the various teaching methods. Today, in terms of e-learning, a teacher is expected and required to facilitate online sessions, provide online coaching, guidance, and feedback to students, with the help of video chat and email to understand the needs of students. Another facet of e-learning is something called blended learning, which ensures that teachers are not replaced. Blended learning, as the name goes, aids the blending of teachers with e-learning methods to provide a well-rounded learning experience to students.

E-Learning is impersonal

Today, students all over the world are not only studying, they’re also participating in extra-curricular activities, taking up jobs, gaining work experience, and much more. Amidst the plethora of these activities, these students still feel the need to learn an important skill set, but simply do not have the time to attend another class. In such a case, they turn to e-learning, which is a convenient way to acquire other skills. In any case, e-learning is far from impersonal. On the contrary, it seems to be bringing together like minded students from all over the world. With e-learning, students are collaborating with each other using social networks, and the global scale of the e-learning effort is coming to fruition.

How to improve user experience design for e-learning

Creating successful e-learning content has everything to do with the kind of experience you are offering the user or learner. Why is it important? Because, if you were a user, would you want to read something which is hard to access, dull, or not what you were looking for? Surely not, right? If your e-learning content is just a set of instructional slides, it can be extremely mundane. That is why, it’s crucial to understand how to improve user experience while creating digital content.

• Have your reader in mind at every step while developing the content. Make sure the experience is fun, engaging and simple.
• Write down the content first and then brainstorm about how it can be presented interestingly. Decide on a way that drives the major learning points home.
• Don’t let the user face technological difficulties when it comes to navigating or finding the content. If he or she has to spend most of the time figuring out where to click, then the lesson will lose its appeal soon.
• Building trust and creating an emotional bond with the reader is important. So take into account things like what might be your user’s thoughts, what might be his feelings, or what he might be expecting from your content.
• Assess your modules and designs to check if they are valuable, believable, useful, easy to find and desirable. A good user experience is a medley of all this.
• Keep an open mind and find out what your competitors are doing to enhance user experience. This will give you an idea about the current trend and how you can stay ahead.

You might be interested to know that companies like Magic Software efficiently address the three different aspects of user experience design to help publishers. They look into the following areas before arriving at the media development phase.

• User analysis – Competitive analysis, user research and person as and scenarios
• Interaction design – Design thinking, information architecture, prototyping
• Visual design – Interface design, design guidelines and specifications

This holistic design approach ensures that your users have a great time going through your content. Once the user experience design is in place, your content can easily make use of games, apps, videos or simulations to convey the message it is meant to. So focus on what your user needs and requires, and provide e-learning materials which are sure to be a hit!

Resources  :  http://www.magicsw.com/how-to-improve-user-experience-design-for-e-learning/

Mobile Distribution Platforms to distribute, access and engage information

Smartphones, iPads, and tablets are rapidly becoming the most important items of technology in an individual’s life today. These are the devices that people have all the time with them. And these devices can now perform a number of tasks far beyond simply making a call.  They are used to connect with the world via the Internet. People use them for paying for things, searching information and many other things. But a new use of these devices is on the increase, which is education via a mobile digital publishing platform.

Mobile distribution platform have brought a revolution in the education industry. Researchers, teachers, professors  and others  in the field of science, medical and technical community have found this new technology quite useful. This new innovation allows them to share studies and findings, and collaborate and develop new ideas faster than any other methods.  The students are also leveraging the benefits.

Mobile distribution platforms are emerging with time as there are many benefits of mobile learning.  The top most benefit is portability. You can access content or information easily through a tablet or a smartphone while you are on move. The content for mobile learning is also highly targeted. You can learn or access information on your own pace at a minimal cost. All these reasons will continue to push the popularity of mobile distribution platforms in the coming years.

You need good technology skills in order to leverage  the benefits of these user-friendly platforms. Get in touch with a firm that provides custom technology solutions  to learn more about them. 

Digital Publishing Platforms Proves valuable for a Publisher’s time and Money

Creating and distributing content requires a specific strategy and a well-thought plan.  However, there are many content creators and publishers who are creating or delivering content, paying little mind to taking a systematic approach. They are not leveraging the available technologies and tools including the digital publishing platform. And this is preventing them to keep an edge in the publishing industry. 

Transitioning to digital publishing platforms offers an array of opportunities for content publishers and content producers. It is a cost-effective publishing solution to traditional publishing methods. By producing digital versions of your content, you can substantially cut printing costs. This will leave you with more budget for your other business activities. Digital publishing platforms are sustainable solutions. They help you reach a wider audience immediately without any hassle on Smartphones,iPads and other devices. Not to mention, access is quick, easy, cost-effective and friendlier. 

As a flourishing content producer, you can use digital publishing to create, distribute or sell your content. You will be successful in informing, updating and engaging readers while maintaining costs and ensuring production flexibility and adaptability. You must utilize the services of an expert company that excels in providing consulting, platforms and rich interactive content and technology applications.

Why are Digital Publishing Platforms gaining so much importance?

In the age of stunning displays, fast speed Internet and fast speed processing capabilities, digital publishing platforms have been able to connect audiences at a speed that traditional publishing mediums could never hope to. Studies show that students all over the world spend at least 4 to 5 hours every day on the Internet. They are accessing the Internet to find information relevant to their courses and knowledge enrichment.

The digital publishing platform allow content developers and publishers to combine engaging content and technology to ensure relevant information is provided to the right audience at the right time. They provide limitless opportunities to engage audiences and are far more cost-effective than traditional methods. 

Content publishers are faced with many choices when mapping out their digital publishing strategy. But they have to keep a few trends in mind if they want to reap the real benefits of publishing their content on a digital marketing platform.  If done right, digital publishing can bring you great returns. You need to make sure your content is rich because audiences are looking for content that will add value to the reading and learning experiences. You should introduce content that includes videos, appealing animations, interactive diagrams and illustrations. Premium educational content will be more effective, helping you build a robust online audience.  

The important message to remember is digital publishing market will continue to evolve. You need to stay abreast with the latest updates in this arena if you want to have an edge in your target market.

Software with Universal Design for high Quality Accessibility

Accessibility is an important quality attribute of software and web apps. Unfortunately it is often get neglected when we do system architecture, design and implementation.

In a 2001 survey which evaluated products of 25 award winning companies which produce pre college instructional software, only two companies were aware about accessibility issues. There is lot changed in past 15 years, but still miles to go before we reach at satisfactory level for accessibility issues.

It is a general practice to develop web or normal app by keeping average user's characteristics in mind. But when we design software which satisfy the need of people with wide range of disabilities and abilities, it is called universal design for software.

Universal design are bunch of ideas which can apply in product, building and environment, so they can be easily accessible by older people and people with/without disabilities.

Here we will put light on the process and principle of universal design in context to web apps and general software development. We believe following it will help in increasing our horizon of building better and accessible software.

Universal Software Design Process

 

Process of universal design for software involves high level view of software as well as its components. Few important steps of the process listed below:

(1) Understand Software - Understanding of the application where we wanted to apply the universal design is key for its success.

(2) Define Universe - We should describe the overall population (e.g., users of software), and then describe the diverse characteristics of potential members of the population for which the application is designed (e.g., students, faculty, and staff with diverse characteristics with respect to gender; age; size; ethnicity and race; native language; learning style; and abilities to see, hear, manipulate objects, read, and communicate).

(3) Involve End users - Consider and involve people with diverse characteristics (as identified in Step 2) in all phases of the development, implementation, and evaluation of the application. Also gain perspectives through diversity programs, such as special disability help and support centre. Make these processes known with appropriate signage, publications, and websites.

(4) Identify guidelines & standards - Create or select existing universal design guidelines/standards for web and native app development. Integrate them with other best practices. In some countries following accessibility standard is legal obligation For e.g.. if we are building web application we should follow WAG (Web Accessibility Guideline) and other standards.

(5) Apply guidelines or standards - Apply universal design in software with best practices within the application, as identified in Step 4, to the overall design of the application, all subcomponents of the application, and all ongoing operations (e.g., staff training) to maximize the benefit of the application to individuals with the wide variety of characteristics identified in Step 2.

(6) Plan for accommodations - When we implement software we should provide facility to address accommodation requests (e.g., purchase of assistive technology, arrangement for Braille printers) from individuals for whom the design of the application does not automatically provide access.

(7) Train & Support - Tailor and deliver ongoing training and support to stakeholders  with emphasis on accessibility features.

(8) Evaluate - We should periodically evaluate the implementation of universal design measures. We should involve diverse group of users, and make modifications based on feedback. We should place ways to collect input from users.

  

Universal Software Design Principles

 

Universal design principles for software guide in designing accessible software. Few of the important design principles are listed below:

(1) Equitable use - The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. For example, a website that is designed to be accessible to everyone, including people who are blind and use screen reader technology, employs this principle.

(2) Flexibility in use - The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. For e.g. Video with flexibility to display caption can enable user to listen or read audio.

(3) Simple and Intuitive - Use of the design is easy to understand software, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. For e.g. simple and intuitive control buttons/links in a audio player web app.

(4) Fault Tolerance - The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. An e.g. Software applications that provide guidance when the user makes an inappropriate selection for all kind of users.

We have left out three universal design principles like Perceptible information, low physical effort and size and space for approach and usage. These principals are more suitable to physical products.

Conclusion

Why we are very far from reality in building software which should be accessible to all different kinds of end user?  It is not the lack of theories, principles or standards but it lack of consciences to incorporate those in software development process. Once we will start using design principles like Universal Design we will able to produce better accessible software for differently enabled people.

For more details visit us – www.magicsw.com