Author: kellya701

The Importance of Accessibility in E-Learnings

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Kelly Andrzejczak, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

High performing organizations are making accessibility a top priority when they design e-learnings. These organizations recognize how making courses more accessible can create a positive impact for learners and for the organization. Improving accessibility includes a variety of considerations: descriptive language, high contrast colors, keyboard navigation, closed captioning, screen reader options, and more. Efforts to improve accessibility benefit everyone and make e-learnings experiences more effective for participants. Accessible accommodations are an important consideration to increase organizational performance and ensure you are meeting learner needs.

This article is helpful for individuals who create learning experiences and want to ensure their e-learnings are accommodating and accessible for all learners. This article highlights the benefits that these accommodations can have on individuals with disabilities, but also how they can positively impact everyone. Author, Alex Moore, provides data and examples of what high performing organizations used to improve their accessibility efforts in e-learnings. This information can be found on ATD, the largest association for talent development.

References

Moore, A. (2020, October 15). Don’t overlook accessibility in E-learning | ATD. https://www.td.org/magazines/ctdo-magazine/dont-overlook-accessibility-in-e-learning

To Survey or Not to Survey?

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Kelly Andrzejczak, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Author, Tim Slade (2021), helps answer that question. While well-intended, post-course surveys can often miss the mark, Slade (2021) discusses the important of reflecting on three considerations when determining if an evaluation survey is appropriate: what will I do with the data? Are learners qualified to evaluate the thing you’re asking? Is it too early for learners to evaluate their reactions? Reflecting on these questions helps with designing strategy and determining what you hope to accomplish through the evaluation process.

Instructional designers would benefit from reading through this blog. The content reiterates the importance of ensuring that the evaluation asks the right questions of the appropriate audience to better understand the impact and effectiveness of the course. This blog was found through “Ask a Trainer” on ATD, the world’s largest association for talent development and written by speaker, author, and award-winning e-learning designer, Tim Slade.

References

Slade, T. (2021, October 22). Ask a trainer: Post-course evaluations | ATD. Main. https://td.org/atd-blog/ask-a-trainer-post-course-evaluations

Creating Design Strategies through Mind Mapping

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Kelly Andrzejczak, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Take advantage of the brains ability to make connections through mind mapping. This technique allows learners to brain dump all of their related thoughts, ideas, and concepts into a visual process that can be constantly edited. Once you feel you’ve captured every idea into the map, you can begin to make sense of what you’re trying to accomplish with the information or end result. In the instructional design process, mind mapping addresses the needs assessment by providing space to answer the who, what, where, when, why, and how. Then use this information to build out your goals, objectives, and proposed outcome.

This process is helpful for instructional designers who are looking for ways to capture all of their thoughts and ideas in one place. It can be hard to know where to start in instructional design and this technique breaks down the process in a way that lets you free your brain of all of your ideas to explore which will be most effective. This resource was found through ATD, the world’s largest association for talent development, so it comes with a great reputation. The article is equipped with five steps to get started making this an easy resource to use.

Marrapodi, J. (2019, May 1). Mind mapping for better instructional design | ATD. https://www.td.org/magazines/td-magazine/mind-mapping-for-better-instructional-design

Wellbeing Resources at your Fingertips

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Kelly Andrzejczak, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Technology resources that support mental health are addressing a high demand by providing convenience and accessibility. From apps that track moods to online therapy to mindfulness tools, the sky is the limit to the support that technology can provide to employee wellbeing. Employers that promote digital mental health resources play an important role in addressing & overcoming the stigma around asking for help. Embracing digital technology to support employee wellbeing can provide analytical tools and measurements to build better processes for employee wellbeing and simultaneously boost company productivity.

This information can be helpful for leaders who are trying to care for their employees as a whole person. Wellbeing is being closely looked at right now, especially post pandemic, and managers could benefit from exploring the options available to supporting their team’s mental health and wellbeing. I think this article is great at a high level and providing evidence of the benefits; I would like to see additional information or a follow up from employers that have implemented digital mental health resources and what has worked well and any lessons learned.

Using digital tech to support employees’ mental health and resilience. (2021, July 8). McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/using-digital-tech-to-support-employees-mental-health-and-resilience