Designing Successful E-Learning
by Michael Allen
Published by Pfeiffer Publishing
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Reviewed by Richard Stultz
Subtitled: Forget what you know about instructional design and do something interesting
The second book in Michael Allen’s series on E-Learning jumps right into the design aspect of E-Learning. The book assumes that you have read the first book in the series and is taking you along the path to the next logical step. It goes into more depth on the skills necessary not only to design a successful E-Learning program but any training or instructional program.
The author is writes in a very familiar style and tone. Reading the book feels more like a conversation with the author than a standard instructional text, which, in keeping with the theme of the book, makes a certain amount of sense. It takes a little getting used to, but once past the feeling of familiarity, the ideas were presented very well.
The subtitle: Forget what you know about instructional design and do something interesting, is the key aspect of the book. The author gives many examples of the tried-and-true and boring training and instructional programs that are used today. There are several key elements necessary in effective Instructional Design. The author suggest, and rightly so, that instructional programs need to be Meaningful, Memorable, and Motivational. Within each element there are four factors involved: feedback, activity, challenge, and context. When the design encompasses all of these elements and factors, it is useful, functioning design. Instructional programs that fail in any one category tend to fail overall.
Several real-world examples are used to help the reader understand the concepts that are being conveyed. The author gives examples of each key and factor throughout the book to drive home the concepts presented on Instructional Design.
As a basic book on training and instructional design, this book does a good job in getting key points across and holds some components and interesting ideas in training and development, applicable to E-learning and other areas.
Armchair Interviews says: Good basic information.