Boost the *Learning* in eLearning with the help of analogies. This is like putting your eLearning design on steroids.

1. Wow…a
Light Bulb
Went On!
How to Use
Analogies in
eLearning

2. What is learning?

3. “Learning is the process whereby
knowledge is created through the
transformation of experience.”
David Kolb (1984)

4. Huh?
Okay. Let’s use an
analogy to explain this.

5. Learning is like making this…

6. …into this.

7. Did you just feel a small “Aha!” moment?
That means a light bulb went on!
(Nice analogy, huh?)

8. Knowledge is created...
Pretend these leaves
are knowledge.

9. …through the transformation of experience.
Collecting sun rays Absorbing water Absorbing nutrients
These experiences helped create the
knowledge (you know, the leaves).

10. Just feel another “Aha!” moment?
Great! You must be getting brighter!
(sorry for the pun)

11. Learning is a process…

12. …and part of this process includes analogies.
(technically, it’s
analogical reasoning)

13. “Learning is the process whereby
knowledge is created through the
transformation of experience.”
David Kolb (1984)
Does this make
better sense now?

14. Yes, thanks! So
analogies really
help me learn?
Yup.

15. More analogies = More learning
More light
bulbs go on!

16. Analogies link new information to
your current knowledge.
(created from
past experiences)

17. Now help your learners’ light bulbs go on by…

18. …using analogies!

19. So let’s put the ‘learning’ into eLearning!

20. When you design an eLearning course, it’s
easy to assume each learner has a…

21. blank mind

22. THAT’S
FALSE.
(Of course, you knew that.)

23. Which means YOU have the opportunity to
use analogies because…
in eLearning

24. … your learners are
LOADED with knowledge!
(Why not link new
information to this???)

25. Got it! So, can I see
some examples of
analogies?
Sure!

26. “This team consolidates
and allocates resources
to ensure the highest
value resources are
designated for the
highest value work.”

27. Say what?

28. “This team consolidates “The Supplier Team
and allocates resources assigns you to tasks with
to ensure the highest the highest value.”
value resources are
designated for the
highest value work.” First rewrite this to
something simpler.

29. Then find an analogy. Hmm…mountains?
Your learners have some
type of experience with
mountains, right?

30. Combine image with text to describe analogy.
…to this task.
We bring you
from this task…
The Supplier Team assigns you to tasks with the highest value.

31. Thanks…a light
bulb went on!

32. Cool. Got another
example?
Of course!

33. “The diversity in our
company must include
thought and experience,
within an environment where
diverse views are welcomed
and where there is a
commonality from working
together to create change.”

34. What?!?

35. “The diversity in our “We welcome ALL
company must include people in our company;
thought and experience, together we make
within an environment where positive change.”
diverse views are welcomed
and where there is a
commonality from working First, get to the point.
together to create change.” Let’s rewrite to make it
easier to read.

36. Then find an analogy. What about buttons?
Your learners
have some
type of
experience
with buttons,
right?

37. Combine buttons with text to describe analogy.
Our people with diverse backgrounds...
…work together
to make this.
We welcome ALL people in our company; together we make positive change.

38. That’s great…thanks!
A light bulb went on!

39. Awesome.
Can I see another
example?
If you insist!
How about one
more?

40. “The 3P (Production
Preparation Process) is part of
a Lean manufacturing design
approach that includes QFD,
design reviews, and post-start
up monitoring by a cross-
functional team to Kaizen any
bugs in the new system.”

41. Zzzzzzzz…

42. “The 3P (Production “The 3P (Production
Preparation Process) is part of Preparation Process) is a
a Lean manufacturing design mock up design method.”
approach that includes QFD,
design reviews, and post-start
up monitoring by a cross- Rewrite after you learn what
functional team to Kaizen any 3P “really” is.
bugs in the new system.”
Just keep it simple.

43. Then find an analogy. How about a house?
Your learners have
some type of
experience being in a
house, right?

44. Combine image with text to describe analogy.
Your truck Put kitchen closest to
with groceries. where groceries come in.
Oops! This
closet will get With 3P, you see what
in the way of you are going to build and
your van! how you’re going to use it!
The 3P (Production Preparation Process) is a mock up design method.

45. That’s cool!
A light bulb went on!

46. Hmm… you got
me thinking more
about analogies.
Thank you!
You’re welcome.
Make sure you use
effective ones.

47. Analogies are just part of
the learning process.
Pick them wisely to tap
into learners’ experiences.

48. Analogies prepare
learners to solve
problems.
Problem solving cannot
occur without analogical
reasoning… because
experience always
intervenes.

49. Thank you!
Coming soon….
Follow me in Slideshare.net to view
upcoming presentations on analogies and
how they can be used in eLearning. Oh, and I have one
thing to ask…

50. Will you contact me?
Great! Click on my email
Parker.Grant@LearningConnects.com Aww…hope
and write to me with your you contact me
analogy ideas! next time!
By the way, isn’t a decision like what
happens after you see a highway sign??

51. By: Parker Grant,
Learning Designer
This slideshow: