The Importance Of Learning Objects: What eLearning Professionals Need To Know A learning object is defined as "a collection of content items, practice items, and assessment items that are combined based on a single learning objective" [3]. Although the term originates from "object-oriented" programming, its use is completely different in eLearning, and has definitely nothing to do with programming languages and code [2]. eLearning professionals should  think of learning objects as small sharable "knowledge packages" that include all related learning material needed to cover a specific learning objective of the eLearning course. The greatest benefit of working with learning objects is, without any doubt, reusability. As learning objects thoroughly cover a single learning objective in every way, that is information, eLearning activities for practice, and assessment, they consist by definition autonomous learning units that can be used in multiple eLearning courses, as long as the same learning objective needs to be covered. Whether being incorporated into an eLearning course addressing to novices, or presented to advanced learners for revision purposes, they offer eLearning professionals the benefit that they only need to be created once. This has a significant impact on both eLearning development time and budget. Technically speaking, thinking of learning objects as SCORM files seems to be a good practice. In other words, eLearning professionals may consider them as packaged learning resources, each one of which can be uploaded as a single file, aggregating all necessary information to cover a single learning objective of the eLearning course. Although, it is a common practice for learning objects also to include assessment, personally, I wouldn’t recommend it, as I’d rather prefer to keep assessment separately of the eLearning object for reusability purposes. Components Of Learning Objects In Instructional Design For eLearning When working with learning objects, keep in mind that they are composed of the following parts: Title. The title of the learning object to be used should grab learners’ attention from the very beginning. A catchy title will raise learners’ eagerness to learn more about the specific topic under consideration. Subtitle(s). Although not absolutely necessary, it’s a great idea to also add subtitles in your learning objects, as they provide learners with further information about the content of the eLearning session they are going to attend, and they set learners’ expectation of what exactly the eLearning content is going to be about. Learning objective to be covered. Apart from arising attention, it crucial for learners to know in advance what they will be able to achieve at the end of the eLearning course, as well as how this particular learning objective is related to the rest of the eLearning course. Keep in mind that the entire concept of working with learning objects implies that only one learning objective must be presented at a time. However, it’s a good practice to show learners how much of the entire eLearning course they have covered so far, as well as how the particular learning objects fits the "big picture". Overview of eLearning activities. Provide learners with an overview of what exactly will be covered, that is presentation of theory, examples, as well as the corresponding eLearning activities for practice. Finally, it is always a good idea to provide learners with information about the time they will  need to complete the eLearning activity. This is crucial when the eLearning course is also designed with mobile learning in mind. eLearning content. This is the actual eLearning content to be presented to the learners for acquiring the necessary information they need to master in order to proceed to the following topic of the eLearning course. Metadata. This part of information has nothing to do with the learner. Metadata is information of descriptive nature, added to the file for easier retrieval purposes in case of future use. It is a necessary component in case learning object repositories, such as the MERLOT repository of learning objects, are used [1]. All Learning Management Systems used today for eLearning, have some sort of designated resource management area for learning objects, that serves as learning object repository. Last, but not least, learning objects have nothing to do with the instructional design approach to be used, whether behavioral, cognitive, constructivist or mixed, or with the way information and eLearning activities are presented to learners. Their content may range from plain text to online presentation with audio to case studies, interactive branching scenarios and project-based learning through collaborative eLearning activities. Whether in  text or in multimedia format, this makes no difference as long as they cover a single learning objective of the eLearning course. The variety of alternative media they can be presented with, also makes them ideal for adaptive presentation of content in eLearning. 4 Tips To Use Learning Objects In Instructional Design For eLearning Here are some practical tips to follow in order to design and develop effective learning objects. Make them small. Always have in mind that learning objects are reusable online resources. Make them as small as possible in order to be used again and again and to fit a variety of eLearning courses. Making them small and to the point, that is meaningful, also means that it will be easier for learners to assimilate the information presented and stay focused to the intended learning goal. Make the information section either completely context-free or very context-specific. Despite the fact that we all agree on the importance of context in learning, surprisingly enough, there are two approaches you can follow with learning objects. Either make them completely context-free, by isolating the information to be presented from the context to be applied, for reusability purposes, or create multiple versions of the same learning object, each one very context-specific in accordance to the needs of the specific audience you are addressing to. If time and budget allows, I would strongly advise for the second option. Set lower-level learning objects as prerequisites for higher-level ones. Set learning objects of lower-level cognitive processes such as remembering and understanding as prerequisite requirements in order for the eLearning course to allow learners to proceed to other learning objects covering higher-level order skills such as applying, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and creating. This gives learners the opportunity to keep practicing already acquired knowledge and guarantees that they have mastered lower-level learning objectives before proceeding to more advanced ones. Human cognition is a well-structured process, and so your eLearning content should be. Offer variety by creating multiple examples of learning objects for the same learning objective. Developing extra learning objects for the same learning objective to be covered each time you revise your eLearning course may prove to be a good practice. Especially for an instructional design for eLearning based on a cognitive approach, this may be quite helpful as your learners will definitely need extra practice of prerequisite knowledge they should have, in most cases for revision purposes, before being presented with higher-order learning objects. Instead of presenting them with the same eLearning content they have already attended, surprise them and offer them variety. They will really appreciate it and you will enrich you eLearning course in a process of ongoing improvement. Get used to the idea of thinking about you instructional design for eLearning in terms of learning objects. Use the above tips to create effective and reusable eLearning courses, taking advantage of the opportunity to enrich your eLearning course each time you revise it, maximizing at the same time your learners’ satisfaction from their eLearning experience. Want to learn more about different approaches of Instructional Design for eLearning? Do you perceive behaviorism as old-fashioned and by no means applicable in today’s digitalized world? Read the article Behaviorism In Instructional Design For eLearning: When And How To Use to find out all you need to know about behaviorism in instructional design for eLearning, as well as in which cases it may be the most appropriate instructional design approach for your eLearning course. References Cohen, E. B. & Nycz, M. (2006), Learning Objects and E-Learning: an Informing Science Perspective. Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge and LearningObjects, 2, 23-34. Retrieved on June 5th, 2015 from: http://www.ijklo.org/Volume2/v2p023-034Cohen32.pdf Nash, S. S. (2005). Learning objects, learning object repositories, and learning theory: Preliminary best practices for online courses. Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge and Learning Objects, 1, 217-228. Retrieved on June 5th, 2015 from: http://ijklo.org/Volume1/v1p217-228Nash.pdf Wikipedia (2015), Learning object, Retrieved on June 5th, 2015 from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_object This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Raptivity Video Tutorial: Introduction To Raptivity In this Raptivity Video Tutorial you will learn what Raptivity is, and how it fits into your current elearning courses. The post Raptivity Video Tutorial: Introduction To Raptivity appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

Prezi Video Tutorial: Using The Left Sidebar In this Prezi Video Tutorial you will learn all about what you can do with the left sidebar in Prezi. When you’re creating a prezi, you’ll find yourself using the left sidebar…a lot. The post Prezi Video Tutorial: Using The Left Sidebar appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

Prezi Video Tutorial: Getting To Know The Prezi Editor In this Prezi Video Tutorial you will learn about all of the editor’s features. Once you’re familiar with Prezi’s editor, you’ll be able to create your presentation with ease. The post Prezi Video Tutorial: Getting To Know The Prezi Editor appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

Raptivity Video Tutorial: Online Activation of Raptivity This Raptivity Video Tutorial depicts step by step the online activation process of Raptivity. The post Raptivity Video Tutorial: Online Activation of Raptivity appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

Prezi Video Tutorial: Navigating The Prezi Canvas This Prezi Video Tutorial explains how you can navigate in both Edit and Present mode. Prezi puts you in the driver’s seat as you pan or zoom all around the canvas. The post Prezi Video Tutorial: Navigating The Prezi Canvas appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

Hierarchy Of 5 Key eLearning Challenges  Analyzing our recent consulting projects on optimizing eLearning processes I realized that all of them have some common denominators. eLearning challenges faced by our clients could be brought to several extensive conclusions. Here is some kind of hierarchical approach on taking 5 key eLearning challenges into account while thinking about improving eLearning processes in the organization. Let's take a look at all of these 5 layers in bigger detail: Availability. In every single consulting project we found some business spaces within the organization in which employees (eLearning users) were completely unsatisfied with the availability of eLearning courses. There were many reasons for that; low bandwidth at the ends of the network, lack of constant and easy access to the computer in the workplace, media inadequate to the workplace, etc. Technical availability is the foundation of the eLearning process. If it doesn't work? Well, nothing else is as important. Even the best of breed eLearning courses are useless when learners have a problem with either reaching to them or using them smoothly. Quality. I am not talking about Instructional Design here - in this discussion I take for granted that it is good. Our experience leads us to point out eLearning challenges with much more fundamental understanding of an eLearning course’s quality. Every training process should be founded on accurate, up-to-date information. This information should be consistent among all information channels used within an organization. Every eLearning course should be not only double-checked within the Quality Assurance (QA) process while being created, but also constantly curated while being used. In such learning material there is no place for mistakes, errors, and outdated information. Aesthetics. The biggest problem when talking about aesthetics of eLearning courses is taking into account the personal preferences (subjective judgment) of the project’s sponsors. They used to think that their preferences should be treated as a benchmark for the whole organization; but considering that the target group is huge and not homogeneous, this is of course not right. We try to convince our business partners that it is better to have a visual eLearning design which seems just OK to everybody than to design a learning solution which is loved by one part of the target group and hated by another part. The visual layer of the course should build a positive learning climate reinforcing the process and not distracting learners with unnecessary multimedia elements. Engagement. Many clients narrow their thinking about eLearners’ engagement to providing them with clickable elements (pop-ups, interactive animations), exercises, quizzes, etc.  Some of them think about simple gamification methods like earning points or collect badges during the eLearning process. First of all: These elements should be used deliberately and not mechanically. An eLearning course with 10 interactions is not twice as good as a course with 5 interactions. Interactive elements should be treated as a way of building flow during the eLearning process (see Flow In eLearning: How To Create A Flow In An eLearning Course?), and not only as a kinesthetic way of preventing boredom in an eLearning course. Secondly: eLearners will become more engaged when we propose tasks or challenges to be completed in collaboration or in competition with other learners. Human Touch. The biggest eLearning challenge that we see in every single training process is to transfer declarative competence gained during learning intervention to the workplace. Trainees return from the best workshops or complete excellent eLearning courses and... nothing changes in their professional activities.  There are many reasons for that, but the most important is lack of support. To make an eLearning process successful we have to take care of eLearners. Their supervisors should make a contract with them. Such a contract should emphasize the importance of eLearning intervention; show that the manager will not only demand new behaviors on the job, but also will support eLearners in improving them. eLearning facilitators (remote trainers) should also help eLearners to reach their learning goals. Summary Availability is the most important issue in eLearning process; if it fails, everything goes wrong. When you are sure that your eLearning course is fully available, you have to double-check for errors. Aesthetics are important when you secure both availability and accurateness of your eLearning course. Interactive elements (both inside and outside of the eLearning course) influence engagement of eLearners. If you want to create an effective eLearning course, you have to support your learners. This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Prezi Video Tutorial: Using Templates In Prezi This Prezi Video Tutorial presents Prezi templates. Prezi has an array of uniquely designed templates that are designed to help you organize your presentation. Which template are you going to choose? The post Prezi Video Tutorial: Using Templates In Prezi appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

Raptivity Video Tutorial: Webinar Recording - Create Learning Arcs Using Raptivity Linker Raptivity Video Tutorial. In this webinar you will learn how to create learning arcs using Raptivity Linker. The post Raptivity Video Tutorial: Webinar Recording - Create Learning Arcs Using Raptivity Linker appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

Why You Are Selling Your eLearning Content Short As a fledgling freelance eLearning consultant, a huge part of my day is spent trolling social media platforms for potential leads. I have joined several freelance forums and forums for entrepreneurs, I join any periscope or webinar that mentions eLearning, I obsessively check Twitter and LinkedIn for any opening for me to dive in with a golden eLearning nugget. I have established a few relationships that give me hope, but I have really started generating a ton of business yet. Having all this free time on my hands has given me lots of time to think about the state of the eLearning market, especially the for-profit courses not affiliated with academia or corporate training departments. I have seen several companies that advertise themselves in social media or marketing consultants who sell courses on how to write courses for profit or to grow an audience. There are over 1,500 courses on Udemy on how to write a course! As I learn more about the companies generating this content, I have yet to find one that has an Instructional Designer on staff (or anyone with any kind of education background at all, really). I reach out to the contact person for these companies and ask them about this, and without fail, every single one of them has seemed sort of surprised that I would think that they need a relationship with an Instructional Designer. You see, in their mind, they are not teaching Instructional Design in their "How to Create a Course" classes, they are teaching marketing. And they are marketing experts, so why would they need to shell out the bucks for an Instructional Designer to consult with on the creation of marketing products? But many of these companies are having the same problem: student retention. For a marketing person, that is a problem because their audience isn’t sticking around, which means their core mission is not happening. They are getting the money from the student for the "How to Create a Course" and then they are never seeing that student again. Or, even worse, the student never finishes the course and asks for a refund! For an Instructional Designer, there is a fairly simple solution to this. Not only would the application of instructional system development best practices improve the student experience in the "How to Write a Course" course, it would also improve the eLearning content! While I do see that the course is a form of marketing for these companies and Udemy instructors, they are doing themselves a disservice by not taking advantage of the years and years of academic and corporate research and case studies scrutinizing how people learn, and the science of student retention, and the Instructional Design process. So, What Do We do? Well, asking these marketers and entrepreneurs to study ADDIE and complete training needs assessments to identify the learning gap seems a little ridiculous. However, a less formal analysis of the problem the class is trying to solve is always a good idea. Sometime the water is so muddied with grand marketing plans that the simple question of "What does success look like at the end of this class" is never asked and there is a huge hole in the training. Or there is no clear objective for the course other than the course title. These are mistakes that eLearning designers would never make, but eLearning designers are not being brought into the process at all. Why Not? Usually the simplest answer is the right one, and in this case, the simplest answer is that the marketing folks writing these classes don’t realize that Instructional Designers are even a thing. They didn’t look to hire an eLearning consultant because they didn’t realize they exist, or if they did realize they existed, they think we are solely university employees converting classes to on-line and putting tenured professors out of work, or corporate wonks writing boring sexual harassment and timecard training. People outside of the Instructional Design industry really don’t understand what we do in the Instructional Design industry! How Do We Fix It? I think the first step is helping to define their classes as eLearning instead of marketing. Then they need to treat it like eLearning, following Instructional Design standards to produce higher-quality, sticky eLearning content. To start, as eLearning Designers, we can help these course generators to apply the most rudimentary Instructional System Design (ISD) principles to their training. I do this by personally reaching out to every marketing company I come across that offers classes on writing classes. I also ask to guest blog about Instructional Design basics on any entrepreneurial and marketing site that will let me. I have written several articles on Guerilla eLearning for eLearning Industry, but I am preaching to the choir here. We need to find a way to get the message to the masses. Once the content generators see what a difference applying the simplest eLearning design theories make on the quality of their final product, they will be chomping at the bit to work with an eLearning Consultant and really treat their course like an eLearning event, and give it the respect it deserves. As eLearning professionals, we all know the impact that well thought out, well-designed eLearning content can have on a student. I also see the marketing potential in offering good eLearning content. Now the trick is to close the knowledge gap between the Instructional Designers out there and the marketing professionals who want to use eLearning as a marketing technique. This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Prezi Video Tutorial: Importing From PowerPoint This Prezi Video Tutorial presents how you can transform any PowerPoint presentation into a zooming prezi in just a few clicks. Reuse your PowerPoint files to create amazing prezis. The post Prezi Video Tutorial: Importing From PowerPoint appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

The 3 Roles Of Feedback In eLearning Good feedback is the most powerful part of an eLearning course; even when thinking about more sophisticated forms of eLearning (i.e. simulations, games, role-plays, etc.), deep understanding of the subject is usually being provided by some form of feedback. Designing good feedback should be an important part of Instructional Design; however, it is distressing to see in how many eLearning productions this part is totally neglected. Feedback plays many roles in an eLearning course; here are the 3 most important ones: Educational. Motivational. Appreciative. Let us have an analytical look at each one. The Educational Role Of Feedback In eLearning. Feedback should not only provide information about whether the exercise has been completed successfully or not: What do you do if you don’t know the answer to the question posed? I bet you just try to guess the correct answer. However, even assuming that you guessed it right, what will you learn from the feedback "Bravo!"? Feedback should explain "Why": "Why" I failed or why I succeeded. Feedback should be explanatory and not simply offer information about failure or success. Don’t assume that the correct answer is a result of a deliberate intellectual process. And don’t assume that when eLearners give the right answer they are at the same time competent to provide it. As eLearners are frequently participating in eLearning courses while in the rush, we have to find ways to make them stop for a while and have a moment of reflection. Feedback is the best part in an eLearning course for that. The Motivational Role Of Feedback In eLearning. After all the well-prepared exercises and quizzes have been placed in an eLearning course, we can expect to have a substantial group of eLearners who failed and succeeded. The motivational role of feedback concerns the ones who were not successful. As Instructional Designers, we must take special care of them: Our goal is not only to persuade unsuccessful learners to make another try, but also to prepare them once more for the exercise in order to help them learn. The educational message of feedback is important, but sometimes it is not sufficient to understand the issue. Unsuccessful learners very often need to be redirected to the certain part of the eLearning module with a motivational message that helps them engage once again in reaching the competence required to complete the exercise. The Appreciating Role Of Feedback In eLearning. Positive feedback should also appreciate all efforts to reach goals in an exercise. It is important not only to inform eLearners about accomplishing the challenge, but also to make them feel like winners. The words are important here, but their tone is also a crucial part of the feedback message. For instance, it is not very appreciative to read "You managed to answer all questions". Providing right answers and delivering good results in a challenge is usually more connected with high engagement than with luck; so let’s not diminish learners’ success by setting an improper tone in the message. Summary  When using advanced eLearning authoring tools we are sometimes tempted to follow a mechanistic approach to designing feedback. It is easy to use templates or just to copy and paste automatic feedback comments in quizzes. However, we should remember that proper feedback can be a very influential mechanism with an ability to improve people’s competencies. To use the full power and potential of feedback in eLearning we need to spend much more time on designing it and just forget about doing simplified work on it. This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Prezi Video Tutorial: Using Frames (slides) In Prezi This Prezi Video Tutorial shows you how to use frames, so you can start adding your content in no time. Prezi’s frames are designed to help you organize your content. The post Prezi Video Tutorial: Using Frames (slides) In Prezi appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

PowToon Video Tutorial: Using PowToon In Online Learning This PowToon Video Tutorial presents some tips on how to make your online learning more effective and engaging for your learners. PowToon is a free animated presentation software and a free animated video maker. The post PowToon Video Tutorial: Using PowToon In Online Learning appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

Prezi Video Tutorial: Inserting An Image This Prezi Video Tutorial shows you how to add an image using Google Images, and you don’t even have to leave the Prezi editor! Adding an image to your Prezi only takes a few clicks. The post Prezi Video Tutorial: Inserting An Image appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

PowToon Video Tutorial: How To Use PowToon In eLearning Video 2 This PowToon Video Tutorial presents some tips on how to introcduce some movement and interest to your course. 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 2 appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

ICEEE2015 will be held over three days, with presentations delivered by researchers from the international community, including presentations from keynote speakers and state-of-the-art lectures. ICEEE2015 will cover a wide range of topics such as: Distance Education Distance and E-Learning in a Global Context E-Learning Hardware and Software E-Learning Platforms, Portals E-Learning Success Cases E-Testing and new Test Theories E-learning in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and information engineering Educating the Educators Errors in E-Learnings Mobile Learning (M-learning) Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning Technology Enhanced Learning Technology Support for Pervasive Learning Theoretical Bases of E-Learning Environments Virtual Labs and Virtual Classrooms Web-based Learning, Wikis and Blogs All registered papers will be published in SDIWC Digital Library, and in the proceedings of the conference. The 4th International Conference on E-Learning and E-Technologies in Education (ICEEE2015) will be held at Surya University, Indonesia on September 10-12, 2015.   This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Prezi Video Tutorial: Inserting A Hyperlink This Prezi Video Tutorial shows you, in less than a minute, how to insert a hyperlink into your presentation that your audience can click on, even while you’re presenting! The post Prezi Video Tutorial: Inserting A Hyperlink appeared first on VivaeLearning: The Best Free Video Tutorials Online.

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.