Flash and Powerpoint Tutorials
eLearning Rule #1: Know Thy Audience
eLearning Rule #2: Never Forget Rule #1
Effective learning can take place only when those being taught are interested in learning. Remember the boring teachers during your school years? Some students couldn’t wait to get out of class. Things aren’t much different today.
Authors have to know exactly who they are trying to reach and teach. Male, female, their age, whether they might already have some knowledge of the topic. Any number of factors help tailor the writing style to both the subject matter and the intended audience. Speaking to the learner on their level makes learning as effortless as possible.
Some e-learners prefer listening to a subject matter expert rather than a professional narrator because they feel an expert conveys a level of comfort and confidence with the material that narrators do not. While an expert may know the material best, however, he or she probably won’t have the skill to communicate with the audience on their level. Equally important, they may not have the most pleasant voice or speaking style to listen to for extended periods. Anyone can read aloud. But making learning interesting is what skilled speakers do. A savvy narrator can digest and deliver material so that it’s effortlessly absorbed much more easily than an expert can be turned into an effective, engaging speaker.
And there’s the quality of the sound. Because many experienced narrators have their own studio, they’re also highly skilled at recording and editing. Your narration will be free of distracting background noise, and hum caused by less-than quality gear. And you most definitely will save money, too, because the professional will complete the recording in much less time, thereby having to spend less time editing. In fact, as there sometimes can be updates to a course, professional talent can make those changes seamlessly, weeks or even months down the road. Plus, because animations are frequently used for role-play and other scenarios, many professional voice talents can also provide character voices.
Credibility is key. The efficacy of learning is judged by what is retained and later applied: Knowledge, skill and enthusiasm your employees will put back into your business. If cost-saving measures are necessary, avoid taking them where the future success of your company grows.
