Cheryl Lockett Zuback

1. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 1
Cheri Lockett Zubak
Work Write, Inc.
A Rapid E-learning
Primer for Technical
Communicators
Who am I?
• Call me Cheri
• President of Work Write, Inc.
(suburban Philadelphia)
• More than 25 years as a user assistance
consultant and educator

2. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 2
What will we cover?
• What is rapid e-learning?
• Lots of demos (view & deconstruct)
• Rapid e-learning tools
• Rapid e-learning skills
What is rapid e-learning?
- Definition
- Why is it important?

3. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 3
What is rapid e-learning?
“The ability to produce, deliver,
and quantify quality interactive
material to learners in a timely
and cost effective manner”
Bradley Mersereau
Contest winner, Articulate.com
Rapid e-learning is not an online
book, whose purpose is reference

4. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 4
Rapid e-learning characteristics
• Easy, quick authoring
• Interactivity
• Guided learning experience
• Specific goals
• Online
“Water cooler” learning
75% of the learning taking
place in organizations
Talking, observing others,
trial-and-error, and simply
working with other people
Informal Learning
Pfeiffer, 2006
Informal learning
is key

5. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 5
Risk takers
Computer experts
Great multitaskers
Social
Team players
Loyal
Visual and auditor learners
Trial and error learners
Understand the importance
of failure on the road to
success
Got Game - Pfeiffer, 2004
Gadgets, Games, and Gizmos for
Learning – Pfeiffer, 2007
Coming soon: The
gamer generation
Other influences
• Skills development for traditional CBT
• Time to market
• Working with SMEs to co-author
courseware
• Web 2.0

6. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 6
What does rapid
e-learning look like?
- Example: Demo
- Example: Branched
Scenario
- Example: Video instruction
First, a personal story

7. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 7
Demos and simulations
• Demos – a recording of exactly what
is happening on the screen
• Simulation – allows the learner to
interact with a simulated product,
perform certain procedures or tasks
and get feedback
Demos and simulations
http://www.debugmode.com/wink/

8. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 8
Branched scenario
• A story (scenario) sets up the
problem or issue
• The learner makes choices and
provided feedback based on those
choices
Branched scenario
http://www.articulate.com/community/showcase.php

9. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 9
Video instruction
• Just what it sounds like!
• An expert (shown or just voice)
informs, teaches, or entertains on a
subject
• In the software world, often
includes demos
Video instruction
http://www.ehow.com/video_2970_tie-tie.html

10. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 10
How is rapid
e-learning created?
- Processes
- Tools
Tools you know already
• Powerpoint (yes, really!)
• HTML (any web editor)

11. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 11
Demo and simulation tools
• Camtasia (TechSmith)
• Captivate (Adobe)
• Wink (DebugMode - free)
Demo and simulation tools
http://www.google.com/trends?q=authorware%2Ccamtasia%2Clectora%2Ccaptivate%2Ctoolbook

12. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 12
Viewer and Flash conversion tools
• What do these tools do?
– Convert to Flash
– Provide navigation
– Provide extra tools (e.g., notes)
• Examples
– Camtasia and Captivate
– Adobe Presenter/Breeze (Adobe)
– Articulate Studio (Articulate Software)
Graphics tools
• What tools do you use now?
– PaintShop Pro
– Fireworks
– PhotoShop
– PhotoShop Express
– SnagIt
– GIMP

13. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 13
Audio tools
• Built into capture tools
• Sound Forge
• Audacity (free)
• Hardware (microphone, digital
recorder)
The process
Step 1. Author and assemble

14. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 14
The process
Step 2. Convert to
Flash and refine
What skills do you already have?
• Self-assessment?
• Content development
• Foundation tools (presentation,
graphics)
• Instructional design

15. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 15
What skills might you need to learn?
• Self-assessment?
• Streamlining content and
incorporating other media
• Multimedia creation (audio,
video)
• Story development
Some elaborate
examples
- View
- Deconstruct

16. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 16
More elaborate examples
• Combine a variety of methods
and technologies
– Informational
– Branched choices
– Quizzes
– Demos
Dictionary with avatars
http://www.vcom3d.com/signsmith.php

17. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 17
Product overview with story
http://www.jingproject.com/
Conversational demo
http://www.fogcreek.com/FogBugz/

18. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 18
E-learning with quizzes
http://www.articulate.com/community/showcase.php
A new kind of demo
http://www.commoncraft.com

19. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 19
Questions, comments,
quandaries?
- Q&A
Questions, comments,
quandaries?
• Ask now
• Or ask later:
– +1 215.357.3453
– workwrite.inc@verizon.net
• If you have questions later, send them
my way!

20. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 20
Resources
- Web
- Print
A Few Good Websites
Rapid Elearning Blog: http://www.articulate.com/blog/
Presentation Zen Blog: http://www.presentationzen.com
E-learning Guild: http://www.elearningguild.com/
E-learning Magazine: http://www.elearning.b2bmediaco.com/
E-learning Technology Blog: http://elearningtech.blogspot.com/
Corporate elearning Strategies Blog: http://elearndev.blogspot.com/
Learning Visions Blog: http://learningvisions.blogspot.com/
Karl Kapp website: http://www.karlkapp.com/
Digitales: http://www.digitales.us/index.php
Ten Best Places to Find How-to Videos:
http://mashable.com/2007/05/14/video-howtos/
Center for Digital Storytelling: http://www.storycenter.org/index1.html

21. A Rapid e-Learning Primer for Technical Communicators
Presenter: Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Copyright 2008, Work Write, Inc. – page 21
A Few Good Books
Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft® Office PowerPoint®
2007 to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate, and
Inspire, by Cliff Atkinson (Microsoft Press, 2007)
e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines
for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning, by
Ruth Colvin Clark (Pfeiffer, 2004)
Gadgets, Games and Gizmos for Learning: Tools and
Techniques for Transferring Know-How from Boomers to
Gamers, by Karl Kapp (Pfeiffer, 2007)
Got Game: How the Gamer Generation Is Reshaping Business
Forever, by John Beck (Pfeiffer, 2004)
Informal Learning: Rediscovering the Natural Pathways That
Inspire Innovation and Performance, by Jay Cross (Pfeiffer,
2006)