A reader wrote in to me with the following question:
I’d like to develop an understanding of the core principles of e-Learning in order to begin applying my programming/UI Design/graphic design skills to this field. Just what books, articles, resources are best to do this, given that I’m not able to go back to school to study it in depth? Is it critical to learn how to conduct workshops with subject matter experts? Are there essential, perhaps unexpected skills needed to be even moderately successful?
Again, I understand the history and complexity of the e-Learning field, so I’m not suggesting I can fathom it in a matter of months. I’m looking for a manageable framework with which to create e-Learning products for smaller clients.
A corollary to this question would be what services would larger e-Learning firms appreciate from a designer/developer such as myself working as a third party? e.g. custom Flash simulations specific to a certain subject matter to be used in online presentations.
My own feeling is that a good distance learning course in the topic might be best for him, since (a) it gives him some depth and (presumably) some practice exercises and (b) I feel strongly that if you’re designing e-learning courses you should take a few. But I haven’t looked for these particular sorts of resources in quite a while so I don’t have any good suggestions for him. Do you? Any courses you can recommend? Any books? If so, please help him out by posting a comment with the info.
Thanks.
