How to Write Cost- Effective Modular Learning Content

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "How to Write Cost- Effective Modular Learning Content"

Winfred Farmer
5 years ago
Views:

1 401 How to Write Cost- Effective Modular Learning Content Deborah Produced by Designing & Developing Modular & Reusable e-learning Content

2 How to Write Cost-Effective Modular Learning Content Presented by Debbie November 10, 2006 Phone: Web: Objective Write modular learning content that can be easily assembled, reassembled and repurposed to meet the needs of different audiences. 2 Page 1

3 Agenda What is Modular Learning Content? The Value of Modular Learning Content Challenges of Modular Learning Content How to Create Modular Learning Content Demonstration: Reusing Modular Content Top 10 Things Writers Need to Know About Modular Content Questions and Discussion 3 What is Modular Content? Type your thoughts in the Chat pod. 4 Page 2

4 Do you currently create modular content? 5 Do you currently reuse content across multiple courses or learning platforms? 6 Page 3

5 What are the attributes of Modular Content? Type your thoughts in the Chat pod. 7 Attributes of Modular Content Consistent Usable Reusable Flexible Manageable Compatible 8 Page 4

6 Consistent Rules-Based Hierarchical Standards for style, language, vocabulary content structure tools and versions tagging, and layout and appearance of the information. 9 Usable Accessible Organized Accurate Complete Easy to find Prioritized Chunked logically 10 Page 5

7 Reusable Topic-based Chunked in to manageable units Independent content stands on its own 11 Flexible Media independent Online On paper On PC On Palm On pocket PC On mobile phone On anything! Software independent Windows, Mac, Linux Word, WordPerfect Documentum, OpenText User independent New learners Experts Auditors Different roles and responsibilities 12 Page 6

8 Manageable Updates Additions Version control Localization Translation 13 Compatible Content Management Systems Learning Management Systems Microsoft Exchange Server SQL Other Applications 14 Page 7

9 What are some of the benefits of creating modular content? Type your thoughts in the Chat pod. 15 The Value of Modular Content Improves information effectiveness Facilitates translation and customization Enforces standards Increases information sharing and reuse Makes information easier to manage and maintain Saves money and time 16 Page 8

10 The Promise of Modular Content 17 The Reality of Modular Content 18 Page 9

11 The Wall of Words 19 What challenges are you experiencing (or do you anticipate) writing modular content? Type your thoughts in the Chat pod. 20 Page 10

12 Challenges for Writers Writing content that stands alone Writing for multiple audiences and purposes Writing for different media Making content easy to find, use, and manage Determining what content is reusable Agreeing to and enforcing standards Using complex authoring tools Tagging content effectively 21 What we need A new way of capturing and sharing content that is Standardized Systematic Effective, and Easy to learn. 22 Page 11

13 What can help Cognitive Psychology Learning Theory Instructional Design Human Factors Engineering Communication Effectiveness Message Design Usability Media Selection 23 The Information Mapping Method A systematic way of creating modular content Analyze Analyze and plan the content Organize Present Identify and organize the content Develop, tag, publish, and store the content 24 Page 12

14 Analyze and Plan the Content Purpose & Scope Audience Content Technology 25 Purpose and Scope Share your ideas in the Chat pod. 26 Page 13

15 Purpose and Scope Purpose Desired response Management goals Type of communication(s) Available resources Timeframe 27 Audience Analysis Share your ideas in the Chat pod. 28 Page 14

16 Audience Analysis Job responsibilities Knowledge of subject matter What they need to know and do Local or global Language Laws, regulations Method of access; technologies Educational background, skill level Access and use requirements Special needs Other demographics 29 Content Analysis Share your ideas in the Chat pod. 30 Page 15

17 Content Analysis Types/purpose Status Accuracy and completeness Content duplicated Location Owners Media and format Maintenance requirements Consistency 31 Technology Analysis Share your ideas in the Chat pod. 32 Page 16

18 Technology Analysis Creation Storage Retrieval Content management Display 33 Tools of The Method Integrated Graphics Hierarchy Accessible Detail Chunking Relevance Labeling Consistency Analyze Organize Present 6 Types of Info Procedure Process Structure Concept Principle Fact BLOCK MAP Navigation Types of Labels Generic Content Combination Text Graphics 34 Page 17

19 The Information Types Procedure Process Principle How do I do it? How does it work? What must be done? Concept Structure Fact What is it? What does it look like? What is true? 35 Procedure How to Assemble the Chair 36 Page 18

20 Process Trees are cut down Logs are transported Logs are cut SOLD Glue Chairs are sold Chairs are varnished Pieces are glued 37 Principle Do not use the chair within 24 hours of gluing. Use only all natural wood polish for the best shine. 38 Page 19

21 Fact The Snooza-lounger 2100 comes in three colors. The first recliner was built in 1306 in England. Beach chairs are collapsible. 39 Concept A chair is a piece of furniture consisting of a seat, legs, back, and often arms, that accommodates one person. 40 Page 20

22 The Research-Based Principles Chunking Relevance Labeling Consistency Integrated Graphics Accessible Detail Hierarchy 41 The Chunking Principle Group information into small, manageable units. 42 Page 21

23 How many words on the next slide can you memorize in 20 seconds? 43 Before Chunking field hockey brake polo truth clutch baseball alternator rugby axiom metaphysics engine pedal gasket existentialism soccer aesthetics logic basketball starter teleology lacrosse 44 Page 22

24 How many words did you remember? Write down the words you remember and then type the total in the Chat pod. 45 After Chunking truth Polo Baseball Clutch Lacrosse Starter Axiom alternator metaphysic soccer existentialism logic basketball pedal brake teleology gasket engine field hockey rugby aesthetics 46 Page 23

25 The Relevance Principle Place like things together. Eliminate unrelated items. 47 After Relevance rugby polo baseball field hockey lacrosse basketball soccer truth metaphysic axiom existentialism logic teleology aesthetics brake clutch gasket engine alternator starter pedal 48 Page 24

26 The Labeling Principle Label each relevant chunk of information. 49 After Labeling Team Sports rugby polo baseball field hockey lacrosse basketball soccer Philosophical Terms truth metaphysic axiom existentialism logic teleology aesthetics Parts of a Car brake clutch gasket engine alternator starter pedal 50 Page 25

27 The Consistency Principle Use similar words, labels, formats, organizations, and sequences. 51 Integrated Graphics Principle Use graphics as an integral part of the text. Place graphics and text in close proximity. 52 Page 26

28 The Accessible Detail Principle Provide all the detail readers need in such a way that those who need it can easily find it, and those who do not need it can easily skip it. 53 Hierarchy of Chunking and Labeling Principle Organize small, relevant units of information into a hierarchy. Label each level of the hierarchy. 54 Page 27

29 Who can provide a definition of a paragraph? Type your definition in the Chat pod. Several departments will be responsible for implementing a Hearing Conservation Program, including the Medical Department, Process Engineering Department, Production Section, Safety and Environmental Affairs Section, and the Occupational Health Committee. The objective of the program is to prevent hearing loss caused by exposure to noise in the workplace, and all staff will be impacted. The program consists of systematic noise-hazard evaluation, noisehazardous areas and equipment labeling, requirements for hearing protection devices, audiometric testing and evaluation, and employee health education, supervision, and discipline. 55 New Units of Information Need a new way to organize information in modular units that include only one information type, and comply with the design principles. 56 Page 28

30 Information Block A manageable chunk of related information. Label One main idea Sentence(s), list, table, graphic or multimedia Program components The Hearing Conservation Program consists of systematic noise-hazard evaluation noise-hazardous areas and equipment labeling requirements for hearing protection devices audiometric testing and evaluation, and employee health education, supervision, and discipline. Separators 57 Information Map A collection of related Blocks with a title. Title The Hearing Conservation Program Objective The objective of the Hearing Conservation Program is to prevent hearing loss caused by exposure to noise in the work place. Blocks Program components The Hearing Conservation Program consists of systematic noise-hazard evaluation noise-hazardous areas and equipment labeling requirements for hearing protection devices audiometric testing and evaluation, and employee health education, supervision, and discipline. Impact The Hearing Conservation Program applies to all staff. Responsible departments The following departments are responsible for implementing the Hearing Conservation Program: Medical Department Process Engineering Department Production Section Safety and Environmental Affairs Section, and Occupational Health Committee. 58 Page 29

31 Maps and Blocks Are modular, reusable information chunks that focus on a single idea or topic make it simple to apply the Research-Based Principles, and Information Types, and provide an easy way to structure and reuse content. 59 Tips for Developing Modular Content Understand the audience Use defined information modules Don t mix information types Determine what can stand alone and what can t Write content-specific labels Focus on content vs. context 60 Page 30

32 Developing Modular Content Analysis Organization Modular Content Presentation 61 Demonstration: Reusing Modular Content 62 Page 31

33 Top 10 Things Writers Need to Know About Modular Content 10. It s all about the users 9. You ll create content, not documents 8. Your content may be viewed by multiple audiences in multiple formats 7. You ll need to be a team player 6. Careful audience analysis is critical 63 Thank you for participating! Debbie Kenny dkenny@infomap.com INFOMAP ( ) x3129 Page 32

Document and Web design has five goals:

Document and Web design has five goals: to make a good impression on readers to help readers understand the structure and hierarchy of the information to help readers find the information they need to