Sidebar: Tools for Developing e-Learning

Elliott Masie

Editors Note: Two items of particular interest for Distance Learning practitioners appeared in Dr. Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS #197

1. Integrate Classrooms into e-Learning Strategy:  In a recent review of several Corporate e-Learning Strategies, we were struck by the absence of the mention of the classroom.  While it makes sense that an "e" strategy would focus primarily on the electronic delivery of training resources, the reality in the field is that classrooms are not disappearing (though they are changing their footprint and role) and that an organization cannot afford to have a Learning Strategy AND an e-Learning Strategy without tighter integration.  There are key ways in which technology can EXTEND the footprint and impact of the classroom.  And, there are similar needs to leverage classrooms, in old and new formats, to EXTEND the power of web delivered training and learning resources.   Caution!!!

2. Results of e-Learning Authoring Survey:  We recently conducted a TechLearn TRENDS and Learning Decisions Survey on e-Learning Authoring tools and approaches.  1,615 responses were recorded the week of January 15th.  Here are the results: When a unit of e-Learning content is being developed internally, which tools are you using: (In order of use)*

TOOLS USED FOR DEVELOPING e-LEARNING	Weighted Score
Document Creation Tools (e.g. PowerPoint and Word Processing)	85*
Web Development Tools (e.g. Dreamweaver or FrontPage)	71*
Learning Specific Authoring Tools (e.g. Authorware or Toolbook)	52*
Programming Tools (e.g. Visual Basic, C++)	47*
Authoring within a Learning Management System (e.g. Blackboard or Learning Space)	38

We are tracking a trend towards more and more of e-Learning content being authored with everyday document tools.

About the Author: Elliott Masie is Director of the Masie Center. He may be reached at <masie@masie.com>. This research is reprinted with permission from Elliott Masie.