Development and Design in the ID World

          If you put 10 people in a room and say the term “distance learning,” you will likely get 10 different reactions. This is because many people have different perceptions of what distance learning is, what makes it successful for some learners, and what makes it limiting for others. Although distance learning has been around for decades, it has grown significantly in the past five years. Universities, governments, and corporations are seeking to utilize distance learning to help people who are not in the same location to communicate, collaborate, and learn. Although perceptions of distance learning may vary, it is crucial to keep our eyes on the future of distance learning and how we can take strides today that will impact the distance learning of tomorrow. By analyzing these future perceptions and identifying ways to improve societal perceptions, I can be an instructional designer who is a positive force in improving distance learning.     ...

You may have heard of blended learning, but are you ready to convert your program to it? In this post, a best practices guide is provided to assist you in converting your program to a blended learning approach. In the guide, questions that are commonly asked during the conversation process are answered. These questions include: Why should I choose blended learning? What are pre-planning strategies, and why do they matter? How will my training program be enhanced? How will my role as the trainer change? How can I encourage trainees to communicate online? References to the resources used to create the guide are also provided at the end of the guide. Best Practices Guide