Rapid e-Learning Grows Up

Rapid e-Learning tools such as Breeze, Captivate and Articulate were made to take the developer out of developing online training modules. But as these tools become easier, it allows anyone to click a few buttons, enter in some text and ta-dah... instant online training module.

We all remember the web sites of those who just got a WYSIWYG HTML editor; the blinking text, numerous font styles, horrid patterned backgrounds. Just because the tools were there, it doesn't make one a web designer.

Joe Fournier writes in his article "Rapid e-Learning Grows Up", SMEs and Intructional Designers should form partnerships to produce more effective learning with rapid e-learning tools.

Subject matter experts many times don’t know how to teach; they just know their subject...The SMEs may produce the source content—in PowerPoint or Office format—but that base material gets greatly enhanced when a professional instructional designer adds interactions and edits the material.