How do you balance live and recorded learning in your e-learning?

I loathe watching recorded teaching, and usually just read the transcripts that works better for me but then this could be an ebook with exercises build in I can download on my e-reader rather than videos.

Recorded eLearning is ok in small doses, but isn't ideal for skill building. Using animation and visuals when they serve to drive home the message vs. distracting from the message is a superior way to develop skills. Also, a great deal of learning can happen asynchronously and it works very well if it is complemented by access to an expert whether in the form of a 1-1 meeting or in a small group. That human contact is necessary to keep us on track and put learning into context.

Live sessions (especially online) can allow for communities of learners to form while enabling people to network, learn from one another and find study peers. Live sessions, in the form of drop-in clinics, can be especially important for connecting with learners who need or want support. These can be recorded for later access or not to foster engagement without the pressure of a recording. In contrast, recorded learning (i.e. videos) can be made interactive by embedding quizzes within videos. These can allow learners to check their learning while learning. This can be especially helpful for longer videos. Videos of 3-10 minutes are ideal, topic dependent. Interweaving activities between these and clearly signposting what is to come is key.

I think live learning works when the teacher is wonderful and people like to engage with this person. Otherwise, it's too long and tedious, and learners are better off with recorded learning that they can skim if necessary - accompanied with a transcript to make it even more skippable. If e-learning doesn't contribute speed and efficiency, why bother with it at all?

Short recorded pieces are fine but for longer ones I find reading the transcripts provides greater accessibility. On the other hand I’d really like to explore the affordances of Watch Parties including with the presenter present. The conversations that can be had …

I think that live zoom meetings create a more collaborative culture. Sometimes a basic recording will do the job but relationships are built when you connect. I teach both asynchronous and synchronous types of classes and we also have an option to meet in person weekly. I think the balance is good to have for all types of learners. Benefits of recordings are that they offer flexibility and balance with live but without the human connection, learning can be lonely and difficult.

Learning absolutely needs to be personalised and don't forget that speed matters. The best eLearning automates, to a large extent, the personalisation of a learning plan. It's best not to boil the ocean as I've seen some companies try to do. Get something that is 80% correct, focusing very closely on only what skills/techniques people truly need to develop and then go after those with determination.

You also need to factor in how responsible and self-motivated you are. Elearning takes a lot of self-discipline to remain focused/successful and would not be very useful to someone who relies on engagement to drive learning.

In my experience as an educator, I emphasize the pivotal role of tailoring teaching to the target audience while considering personal needs. Teaching, for me, is a passion, driven by the desire to create an engaging and enjoyable experience for both learners and educators. It's imperative to craft lessons that resonate with the audience's learning preferences and objectives.

There is a very big difference between training internal learners and training external learners. Know those differences as you search for a platform (that may come with tools). It can make the implementation journey much easier if you factor in that the motions for those audiences will be different and you will somehow need to accommodate all learning pathways.

I don't really agree with what's said in this section as students are not choosing which platform to use, they use whatever the institution they sign up for uses.

In my role as an educator, I place utmost importance on tailoring the selection of e-learning platforms and tools to both the target audience and my own skill set. Recognizing the unique needs and preferences of learners guides the choice of a platform that fosters engagement and interaction. Simultaneously, aligning tools with my proficiency ensures effective implementation and seamless content creation. By harmonizing audience needs and educator skills, the chosen e-learning ecosystem becomes a catalyst for an enriched and impactful learning experience.

This is going to depend a lot on the scale of your program. Are you providing. Training for a small class or an entire business unit or job family within an organization? In this case, we need to consider automation and the ability to create effective and scalable workflows so that administrators or trainers aren’t spending extra time on work that can be automated. Flexibility in setting up said automations are also key. It’s also very important to consider the learner’s experience. Offering solutions that are familiar to them (like through web conferencing tools that they already use or a platform experience that mirrors commonly used websites like YouTube or Netflix) can reduce a good deal of frustration and friction.

Ideally, these decisions should already be made for the students. If the instructor plans correctly and organizes the content appropriately, then learning should be maximized for students taking the e-learning version.

The frequency and duration of sessions should mirror the pace at which learners can effectively absorb and retain information. Flexibility is also crucial; acknowledging that live sessions might not always align with everyone's schedules, while recorded sessions cater to diverse learning speeds. Timing plays a pivotal role. Sessions must be conveniently timed for learners, instructors, and peers across different time zones. This fosters engagement and participation, leading to more interactive and productive sessions. The notion of accessibility resonates deeply, the convenience of accessing materials anywhere enables a fluid learning journey.

For live sessions, I tend to focus on the speaker and the chat. I find the chat incredibly helpful to engage with other attendees of live sessions. This can include sharing ideas, reacting to the contribution of others using emojis and responding/replying by providing opinions and insights, and examples that might include signposting to research and other relevant resources. During live sessions, if there is no chat function, I find it more difficult to engage as there is little 'feedback' that I can see from audience members. The live session, in effect, becomes a recording - a session designed to be conveyed as information rather than as a dialogue.

Engaging in both live & recorded sessions is paramount. This drives motivation, boosts retention, & fosters connections with peers and instructors. During live sessions, utilize communication tools effectively-chat, audio, video to enhance interaction. Prepare by reviewing the agenda & materials beforehand. Post-session, reflect on key points & questions to solidify learning. For recorded content, set goals, maintain a comfortable environment, & pace yourself. After each session, assess progress to gauge achievements and areas needing improvement. Active engagement isn't just attendance; it's an investment in a meaningful learning journey. By immersing yourself fully, the e-learning experience becomes not only enriching but also fulfilling

To actively engage in both live and recorded learning sessions, cultivate focused involvement by taking concise notes, asking thoughtful questions, and contributing to discussions. Actively participate in live sessions by sharing insights, collaborating with peers, and seeking clarification. During recorded content, maintain interaction by completing embedded quizzes and reflecting on key points. Prioritize consistent attendance, seek real-world applications, and leverage supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience, ensuring your active involvement remains seamless and effective while concealing the source of these suggestions.