YOU, THE BUYER
PART THREE — “The Media Review”
December 16, 2015
Six years ago, I wrote a series of blogs designed to aid the buyer in navigating the purchasing process. With new edits and rewriting to bring them up-to-date, here they are again —- written from your point of view. This one is Part Three, “the media review.”
Confucius is credited with the following:
“I HEAR AND I FORGET,
I SEE AND I REMEMBER,
I DO AND I UNDERSTAND.”
So it is with modern media training. While the “doing” is mostly vicarious, the learning results are close to ideal. And that is because multiple media will be absolutely necessary for effective communication. And, without communication precious little learning will result.
Yet, if the programs you are evaluating for purchase have the right mix of audio and video — with a minimum emphasis on the written word — all of your trainees will have an opportunity to learn.
Recognizing that “Content Accuracy and Completeness” plus “A Real-time Environment” are the universal requirements of any valid training program, “Full Motion Video” (and/or animated graphics) plus “Optional Word-for-Word Audio” are the essential qualities that make up effective e-Learning.
You want your trainees to learn, retain, and apply the information you present. You already know that nearly half of your workforce is not reading-fluent (cannot sufficiently comprehend anything written above a fourth grade reading level). And yet, all of your trainees are capable and want to learn.
They’ve grown up with televisions, computers, smartphones and tablets so they more readily understand media. And, full-motion media is what you should give them.
In addition, optional word-for-word audio gives everyone the same opportunity that, traditionally, only the reading proficient have had.
Everyone needs to have the same access to all the information and learning you present. All need to have the same opportunity for improved retention and better on-the-job performance. So, why not level the playing field for everyone? Good training should be inclusive — not exclusive.
Of course, we do not want to slow down or bore the reading-proficient. And, that’s where the “optional” audio button comes into play.
In a well designed e-Learning course, the word-for-word audio can be turned “off” or “on” depending on the learning culture and desires of the individual.
If an individual learns best by reading, then “goodbye” audio. But, if an individual learns best by listening, then “hello” audio, a big advantage when you select the e-Learning that is designed to include everyone in the learning process.
So, in addition to full-motion video or animations, when evaluating e-Learning avoid any programs that either verbally paraphrase the written words on the screen or force all trainees to listen to all of the audio.
Full-motion video and graphic animations accompanied by optional word-for-word audio is the only way to go!
As Thomas Jefferson once said, “What we learn to do, we learn by doing.”
More on Monday – – –
— Bill Walton, co-Founder, ITC Learning
www.itclearning.com/blog/ (Mondays & Wednesdays)