How To Overcome 5 Common Problems Faced By Students In eLearning eLearning, being the latest wave of education, is already having a fair show despite posing challenges for both instructors and students. While instructors need to put in intensive work and time to design the instruction, students need to equip themselves with technical proficiency to decode the course material. There are 5 common problems faced by students in eLearning classes and which they need to be solved through proper initiatives for the students’ future benefits: Adaptability Struggle.   Switching from traditional classroom and face to face instructor training to computer-based training in a virtual classroom makes the learning experience entirely different for students. Their resistance to change doesn’t allow them to adapt to the online learning environment, whereas it takes time for them to get accustomed to Course Management Systems (CMS) and the methods of computer-based education. While passive listening and notes taking are expected in a traditional classroom, online discussions or creating a web page demand springing into action. Students with a "traditional" mindset find it difficult to adapt; however, they need to accept the new learning circumstances with an open mind and heart. Understanding the benefits of eLearning and even discussing them with their peers may change this mindset and better prepare students for online classes. Technical Issues. Many students are not provided with the high bandwidth or the strong internet connection that online courses require, and thus fail to catch up with their virtual classmates: Their weak monitors make it hard to follow the Course Management System and their learning experience becomes problematic. Moreover, most of them live off campus and find it difficult to keep in tune with the technical requirements of the chosen course. Some of them don’t even own computers and seek help in Learning Resource Centers for technical assistance. The only solution to this problem is knowing exactly what kind of technological support they will need for a certain course before enrolling in it, as well as properly equipping themselves for the course’s successful completion. Computer Literacy. Although students are generally tech savvy, and thus able to manage computers well, lack of computer literacy is a major issue among students today. Many of them cannot operate basic programs such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and therefore are not able to handle their files. Furthermore, many students find fixing basic computer problems troublesome, as they have no knowledge in this area. However, technological proficiency is a must for following online courses, as it enables students to manage their assignments and courseware in an organized manner without struggling. Basic courses in computer literacy enhance students’ knowledge in the field; having a fundamental knowledge of computer hardware would help them participate in online classes without interruptions and hindrances. Time Management. Time management is a difficult task for eLearners, as online courses require a lot of time and intensive work. Furthermore, whereas it is mostly adults who prefer web-based learning programs for their place and time flexibility, they rarely have the time to take the courses due to their various everyday commitments. A regular schedule planner would be a significant help to these learners, as they could even set reminders for their courses and assignments. Self-Motivation. Self-motivation is an eLearning essential requirement; however, many online learners lack it, much to their surprise. After enrolling in distance learning courses, many learners fall behind and nurture the idea of giving up, as difficulties in handling a technological medium also seem insurmountable. Students need to find the motivation to follow the new educational trends and also properly equip themselves for future challenges in their education and careers. Only a positive attitude will help them overcome the challenges in eLearning; though this is hard to practice, students need to understand that it is necessary in order to reap the eLearning’s benefits in the future. eLearning is good news, but at its initial stage it poses certain threats to students. Attitude change and technological literacy would help them gain confidence in order to succeed in their courses with a positive vibe. This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

The eLearning Salary Forecast: What eLearning Professionals Should Know If only there were a crystal ball exclusively for eLearning professionals, where we could gaze into the future of the eLearning industry, spot upcoming trends, and find out what the eLearning salary might be like 5 years from now. Luckily, we don’t need a fortune teller to predict the pay rate of tomorrow, as the today’s statistics and overall career outlook can tell us what the future might hold for eLearning pros. In order to better understand where the eLearning industry is we must take a closer look at where it stands today. According to the eLearning Guild’s 2015 Global eLearning Salary & Compensation Report, the average global base salary for eLearning professionals is about $78,310, which is a 2.5% increase from 2013 [1]. In the United States this number is around $81,079 per year, which is 2.7% higher than the average in 2013 [1]. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that expects 18,500 Instructional Design Coordinator jobs will be added to the eLearning industry between the years 2012 and 2022, which is a 13% increase over the course of the decade [3]. All of these numbers lead to one conclusion: the eLearning industry is growing at a rapid rate, and the salaries of qualified eLearning professionals is growing right along with it. The eLearning salary increase is expected to continue at the same pace (2.5%) over the course of the next five years [1]. There are, however, a few factors that may influence your personal eLearning salary forecast. 6 Factors That May Affect Your Future eLearning Salary Location. Where you work actually has a significant impact on how much you can expect to make 5 years from now. Based upon the findings of The eLearning Guild’s 2015 Global eLearning Salary & Compensation Report, the salary of eLearning professionals in Australia was an average high of $105,610. eLearning pros in India, however, had an average low of in $29,236 per year [1]. Even the salaries within the United States, itself, vary greatly. For example, those in the San Francisco metro area may earn as much as $101,410 per year, on average, while those in the Detroit area might expect to bring in about $65,249 annually [1]. Tech knowledge. The tools and technologies of the trade are always changing and evolving. Those who stay on top of trends and learn about the newest eLearning tools are more likely to earn higher salaries now and in the future. For example, eLearning professionals who are familiar with HTML5 and cloud-based authoring tools are probably going to have the upper hand, as the eLearning industry is headed in this direction. This is why it’s so essential to learn about the newest trends and technologies. It not only gives you the opportunity to develop better eLearning experiences for your learners, but also to negotiate a better eLearning salary. Experience level. According to PayScale.com, which is an online salary database, Instructional Designers earned a median salary of $59,878 in 2015 [2]. They also note that entry-level Instructional Designers in the United States had a median salary of $53,295, but experienced Instructional Designers had a median annual salary of $68,727 [2]. Experience typically equals better pay, as employers are more likely to increase your salary if you have developed the necessary skill sets and have a proven track record in the field. For this very reason, it’s always a good idea to seize every opportunity to gain experience, such as attending workshops or volunteering for projects that can help develop specific skills. Position. The position you hold is one of the most significant determinants of your future eLearning salary. If you are in a leadership role, such as a manager of an Learning and Development team at a corporation, you will typically earn more than those who do not have a leadership position. You will, however, also have more responsibilities to go along with your higher pay. The road to becoming a manager does require advance planning. For example, if you want to lead an eLearning team in your current organization, consider taking leadership classes or attending communication courses to prepare yourself for the corporate ladder climb. Education. Typically eLearning professionals, who have higher degrees in Instructional Design such as doctorate and master’s degrees, earn more than those who do not. Not only does the degree carry weight, but the experience and knowledge that come along with it. Those who are willing to pursue degrees show that they are determined, focused, and ready to take the initiative. They want to learn everything they can about the eLearning industry, and employers will usually pay more for their expertise. Specialty. Finding a specialty that ideally suits your interests and talents can significantly increase your eLearning salary over the course of the next five years, and beyond. Specialists stand out from eLearning professionals because they have mastered a particular platform or industry. These eLearning professionals are sought after by companies who are looking for a particular set of skills, which means that they can also charge more for their services. You have the power to write your own paycheck five years from now by planning your course of action today. Take these eLearning salary factors into consideration when you’re creating your professional goals to ensure the future success of your eLearning career. As is the case with most professions, over the course of time a variety of myths, exaggerations and misconceptions surface about the pay involved. In the article, 5 Common Misconceptions About Instructional Designer Salaries, I’ll shed some light on the most common misconceptions about instructional designer salaries, all instructional designers involved in the eLearning Industry should be aware of. References The eLearning Guild Releases 2015 Global eLearning Salary & Compensation Report Instructional Designer Salary (United States) Bureau of Labor Statistics: Instructional Coordinators This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

PowToon Video Tutorial: How To Use PowToon In eLearning Video 3- Make It Memorable This PowToon Video Tutorial presents some tips on how to make a cartoon memorable. PowToon is a free animated presentation software and a free animated video maker. The post PowToon Video Tutorial: How To Use PowToon In eLearning Video 3- Make It Memorable appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

Prezi Video Tutorial: Setting Your Path This Prezi Video Tutorial shows you how to create and edit your prezi’s path. With Prezi’s path, you choose how your story will unfold when you present. The post Prezi Video Tutorial: Setting Your Path appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

PowToon Video Tutorial: How To Use PowToon In eLearning Video 4- Cartoon Visuals This PowToon Video Tutorial presents three design concepts to add comic book or cartoon authenticity to your PowToon. PowToon is a free animated presentation software and a free animated video maker. The post PowToon Video Tutorial: How To Use PowToon In eLearning Video 4- Cartoon Visuals appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

Prezi Video Tutorial: Using Themes In Prezi This Prezi Video Tutorial shows you how easy it is to change the look and feel of your presentation with Prezi’s customized themes or Theme Wizard. Check out this video to learn more. The post Prezi Video Tutorial: Using Themes In Prezi appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

PowToon Video Tutorial: How To Use PowToon In eLearning Video 5- Less Is More This PowToon Video Tutorial highlights the importance of keeping in mind the purpose of a Powtoon when placed into eLearning. PowToon is a free animated presentation software and a free animated video maker. The post PowToon Video Tutorial: How To Use PowToon In eLearning Video 5- Less Is More appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

How To Reduce Cognitive Load In eLearning You’ve heard the saying: you can’t see the trees for the forest. We live in the information age and most of us are swamped from the moment we wake up, so it’s important that your eLearning doesn’t add more stress, leaving learners drowning in the information forest. Fear not: Here at PulseLearning we have put together some useful ways to reduce cognitive load in eLearning. One concept per page. Make this your mantra. Presenting one key learning concept per page will reduce cognitive load and stop you from creating an information forest. Make it clear what the key learning concept is rather than allowing it to become lost in translation. Remove non-relevant items. At the end of the day, the goal of eLearning is to educate the audience, not entertain them. Reduce cognitive load by removing media elements not relevant to learning, and be selective when you do choose to use media elements - they should support and add to the learning experiences. Clear, concise writing style. Ok, so it doesn’t have to be clinical, but make sure the writing style is clear and on point, yet retains a human aspect. Remove excess words and statements that don’t relate directly to the topic. When using anecdotes, keep them short and be sure to create strong links back to learning concepts. Information access. Clever chunking of content helps to reduce cognitive load by providing learners with smaller, bite-sized pieces of information easily committed to memory. Using pop-ups or click-to-reveal mechanisms will allow learners to drill down and discover content one step at a time. These techniques also reduce the amount of visible content on the screen at any one time. Consolidate key learning. Tell them what you’re going to teach them, repeat it, and then tell them again. Consolidating key learning points at the end of each topic or module will increase knowledge retention. Consider consolidating processes into quick-reference guides as a way to reduce content in the learning module. Delivery variety. Cognitive load is reduced when information is absorbed through multiple mediums, for example, text supported with visuals that further demonstrate the concept. This technique is more successful than relying on one medium alone (especially text!) to get your point across and remembered. Use consistent structure. It’s ok to switch some parts of the brain to snooze mode. Through consistent structure and user experience throughout eLearning, learners will not need to continuously readjust to the experience, leaving more cognitive load available for information assimilation. Link back to learning objectives. Always create strong links back to learning objectives to reinforce key learning. Strengthening the links will make it easier for learners to grasp key learning points, therefore reducing brain power required to create these links. This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Prezi Video Tutorial: Fade-In Animation This Prezi Video Tutorial shows how you can use Prezi’s fade-in animation tool to fade in your content, instead of revealing all of it at once. The post Prezi Video Tutorial: Fade-In Animation appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

PowToon Video Tutorial: How To Use PowToon In eLearning Video 6- The 3 Parts Of eLearning This PowToon Video Tutorial presents the 3 parts of eLearning and why PowToon is an excellent tool for creating short and focused business scenarios. PowToon is a free animated presentation software and a free animated video maker. The post PowToon Video Tutorial: How To Use PowToon In eLearning Video 6- The 3 Parts Of eLearning appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.