Designing Successful E-Learning March 24, 2008 Michael Allen's Online Learning Library: Forget
What You Know About Instructional Design and
Do Something Interesting (Pfeiffer, $35)
By Jane Bozarth
"Is it possible that the determination to create easily measured objectives has caused designers to stray away from teaching behaviors that matter?"
Those familiar with Michael Allen's work (see www.alleni.com/ for demos) know he defines quality e learning. In this second of six in his "e-learning library" series, he offers a common-sense understanding of instructional design (ID), deconstructing theory with plenty of examples and anecdotes. What to forget about instructional design (as the title instructs)? For starters, the linearity of traditional ID approaches, our preconceived notions about ordering, and our focus on developing for enabling objectives at the expense of terminal ones (what are people supposed to actually do back on the job? What should they remember?). He fleshes out the "fabulous four": putting instruction in context; providing a meaningful challenge; realistic activities; and feedback that focuses the learner on successful performance rather than winning approval. Allen's conversational style supports his message: Find an engaging treatment; design meaningful learning events; and focus on success-based, rather than completion-driven, design. Wrapping up with a nice self assessment tool, Allen helps even experienced e learning designers think about new ways of creating online training programs with lasting impact.
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