You're looking to advance your career. What are the most important skills to learn in E-Learning?

Il faut développer des compétences nombreuses dans le domaine de la conception. Outre les compétences en matières de pédagogie (théorie avec les grands courants, mais aussi outils comment rédiger des objectifs, élaborer une progression, évaluer...) il faut développer des compétences en matière de neurosciences appliquée à l'apprentissages, en matière de gestion de la motivation, d'expérience utilisateurs, de scénarisation et de rythme, mais aussi des compétences techniques minimum pour concevoir des parcours "réalisables" avec les outils dont on dispose. Il faut également travailler les compétences relationnelles pour gérer les relations avec les experts du contenus.

In instructional design, mastering the principles and methodologies of designing effective online courses is essential. This involves understanding learning theories, such as behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism, and how they apply to e-learning environments. Additionally, proficiency in instructional design models like ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) or SAM (Successive Approximation Model) is crucial for creating structured and impactful courses.

Learning how to tie interactive activities to content in a meaningful way is also so important. Gamifying a quiz for no reason can be insulting and dismissive. If you're teaching about warehouse safety, playing a timed game with a "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" theme is so off topic that it will be distracting and come off as completely out of touch, or worse, communicate that the content is a game because it isn't important. Instead, providing warehouse safety content in the form of a "treasure hunt" makes so much more sense as it relates to the skills. A manager would never "phone a friend" about warehouse safety during their day, but they do need to be able to look at a warehouse scene, and be able to spot issues, errors, and problems.

Content creation is the skill of producing and presenting course materials in a clear, concise, and captivating manner. This involves writing engaging text, creating visually appealing graphics, and developing interactive multimedia elements to enhance learning experiences. Effective content creation also requires organizing information logically, structuring modules or lessons for easy comprehension, and adapting content to various learning styles and preferences. Additionally, proficiency in content authoring tools, graphic design software, and multimedia editing platforms is essential for crafting high-quality e-learning materials.

E-learning is project-heavy. To effectively plan, execute, and monitor e-learning projects from start to finish you must master project management skills. Learn how to manage timelines, budgets, resources, and stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery.

Cet aspect du métier est un peu négligé. Mais les projets e-learning sont de petits projets complexes. Il est donc nécessaire que les professionnels développe des compétences en gestion de projets : conduite du projet, analyse de risques, évaluation, animation des l'équipe projet, maitrise des outils de planification, de suivi, et de reporting, aide à la décision, méthodes alternatives (AGILE,SAM...)... La culture projet n'est pas très présente dans le monde de la formation. Ce sont souvent des compétences nouvelles pour les acteurs. Une formation est souvent nécessaire.

Be the lifelong learner. Walk the talk and be a good example for others to emulate. For this moment walk in my moccasins. Have big shoes to fill, learn to have future possibilities and captivating ideas to share. “Boldly go where no one has gone before”

I believe the most important skill that can help me advance in my career as an instructional designer and e-learning developer, is the continuous upgradation of not only my technical skills but also my soft skills. In addition to learning more and more about the ever-emerging technologies in the field of e-learning, I focus on understanding how I can better collaborate and communicate with my team members. Besides, I believe, it is equally important to have some bit of understanding of the overall policies and technologies that impact our working environment such as how AI is going to impact my work, what employee-friendly policies my government has defined etc, etc.

Digital Literacy: Mastering various e-learning platforms and tools is crucial. This includes navigating learning management systems, virtual collaboration tools, and multimedia editing software. Time Management: E-learning demands self-discipline. Learning to prioritize tasks, set deadlines, and manage your schedule efficiently is indispensable. Adaptability: With the rapid evolution of technology, staying adaptable is key. Embrace new tools, formats, and learning methodologies to stay relevant. Communication Skills: Effective communication is vital in virtual environments. Develop skills in written communication, online etiquette, and virtual presentation to effectively convey your ideas and collaborate with others.

In e-learning, mastering technical skills like proficiency in learning management systems (LMS), content creation tools, and digital collaboration platforms is crucial. Additionally, honing soft skills such as effective communication, time management, adaptability, and problem-solving enhances your ability to navigate virtual environments successfully. Moreover, cultivating self-discipline and a growth mindset fosters continuous learning and professional development. Finally, understanding instructional design principles and staying abreast of emerging e-learning trends ensures you can deliver engaging and effective online education experiences.

Okay, so E-learning is a vast ocean where you are expected to do a lot of things simultaneously and develop your skills along the way. But the top skills that can help you get into the industry and thrive are: 1. Creativity and strong communication 2. Storyboarding 3. Ariculate 360 suite