Choosing an LMS can be wrought with peril. There are many decisions that go into selecting the system that provides the best fit for your company, and there seem to be no end of things waiting to trip you up on your path to your new system. But if you know what to look for, you can avoid the hazards!

In this session, you’ll learn all the places where you can go wrong in your selection process. From knowing what types of systems are available to knowing the difference between good and bad requirements, we’ll walk through some of the larger mistakes that can get made and how to navigate around them. At the end of the session, you’ll have a better idea of what the LMS vendors need so you can help them help you!

In this session, you will learn:

• How to tell a good requirement from a bad one
• How to tell the difference between a problem with the LMS and a problem with your process
• Why you may want to bring in a consultant, and what consultant you may need
• If an LMS even the right decision for your situation

Audience:
Novice and intermediate designers, developers, managers, and directors.

Technology discussed in this session:
Learning management systems.

Your learning ecosystem already exists in the resources scattered across your intranet and beyond, but your learners don’t know how to find them. When they are able to access this wealth of information, they are often overwhelmed, leaving the resources underutilized and the employees frustrated and still unable to meet their performance improvement needs. Many organizations have platforms such as an LMS and the content that they want to highlight, but they lack middleware and associated processes to connect the dots.

In this case study session, you will learn how Nielsen addressed the issue by building a dynamic portal—with the help of Sealworks Interactive—that solves the two problems of finding learning resources and being directed to learning opportunities. You will see how the portal solution leverages the LMS and the tacit knowledge of content owners to create an environment where learners can get to what they need fast.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to integrate a portal with other systems: LMS, ESN, TMS, and DMS
• How to integrate a portal with third party content providers
• How to maximize searching
• How to create learning paths
• How to measure the success of a portal

Audience:
Novice and intermediate designers, developers, and managers.

Technology discussed in this session:
Python on the Django platform.

Participant technology requirements:
N/A

The struggle of managers to identify the best candidates for the roles within their learning and development (L&D) ecosystem is always an issue, as is cultivating the development of valuable skills and knowledge within the existing ecosystem. The problem can be addressed by detailing the capabilities and competencies that are of the most value and importance in the L&D ecosystem, given the range of experience, degrees (formal education), and certifications available for professional development within the industry.

In this session, you will learn a new perspective on evaluating candidates. In addition, you will learn about helping current professionals within the L&D ecosystem determine the best fit and desire for ongoing professional development. You’ll explore the value of one master’s degree program compared to another, and which professional certifications offer the most value to your team.

In this session, you will learn:

• How professionals with varying levels of formal education add value and strengthen the overall L&D ecosystem
• How different master’s programs are structured from a curriculum and development perspective
• About the relative value of different professional certifications
• About opportunities to develop the skills and education of your existing team

Audience:
Intermediate and advanced managers and directors.

Technology discussed in this session:
N/A

There’s lots of talk about replacing training with performance support, and in many cases, it’s a great idea. But what about the times when you need both? How do you incorporate performance support within a training context? How do you use instructional design to get the best of both worlds, and why should you do it? Ideally, your clients should be clamoring for performance support. But in reality, if an independent strategy can’t get traction, perhaps it’s time for a more unified approach.

In this session, you’ll explore the rationale and key approaches to improve performance support adoption through a more cohesive instructional design framework. You’ll learn about key instructional design principles for incorporating performance support into training and various scenarios for using training to support performance support. You’ll also explore the potential pitfalls you could encounter in this journey.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to take the best advantage of the sweet spot between performance support and training
• Six instructional design principles for incorporating performance support into training
• Six scenarios for using training to support performance support
• Six pitfalls to avoid when linking performance support and training

Audience:
Intermediate and advanced designers, developers, managers, and directors.

Technology discussed in this session:
N/A

Conventional learning methods were quite simply not working for Bloomingdale’s. The learning tactics at Bloomingdale’s were not driving the correct behavior with their 15,000 associates, and as a result the company turned to microlearning as a way to change behavior and drive bottom line results.

In this session, you will learn why Bloomingdale’s decided to break away from conventional practices and try microlearning in 2012—before microlearning was a known term. You will explore the issues the company faced when it was decided to take the organization down the microlearning path and what the dramatic results have been. You will learn from the pitfalls and successes that were encountered along the way. For some, this session will provide a wake-up call for how learning professionals need to adapt their approaches to better meet the needs of a business and its employees. For others, it will help them gain a better perspective on the true benefits of taking a microlearning approach.

In this session, you will learn:

• Why traditional learning practices were not working at Bloomingdale’s
• Why Bloomingdale’s took a microlearning approach
• What Bloomingdale’s learned during their three-plus year journey with microlearning
• The ingredients of an effective microlearning strategy
• The results that Bloomingdale’s has achieved: a $2.2 million a year impact

Audience:
Designers, developers, project managers, and directors.

Technology discussed in this session:
N/A

Most organizations operating in the modern training space ask many irrelevant and/or misdirected questions about mobile and social learning, e.g., “Will this be on an iPad, iPhone, or Android?” This question leads to discussions about screen real estate, etc., but misses the critical point relating to the learner experience in mobile and the equivalence of experience for others in non-mobile environments.

In this session, you will explore a host of important elements for an instructional program, such as: long-term learner engagement, non-traditional sequencing and delivery, learning environments, and communities of practice. In today’s hyper-networked and mobile workplace, organizations often turn to the virtual classroom. You’ll also explore mobile technologies and social media as a means to provide rich resources for informal learning outside of the classroom, as well as supplemental learning within the classroom. You’ll learn how to use these tools to build community and continue the learning conversation started in the classroom.

In this session, you will learn:

• To identify why, when, and how participants will be utilizing the mobile virtual classroom
• How to apply design strategies that maximize the live, mobile environment
• How to incorporate social media tools and networks into a virtual learning experience to accomplish formal and informal learning
• How to integrate social media into a virtual classroom design during live sessions and in-between live sessions

Audience:
Intermediate designers and developers.

Technology discussed in this session:
Mobile technologies and social media that can be incorporated into a live virtual classroom event.

Technology has completely changed the way we live, work, and learn. Technology has brought us the Internet, smartphones, tablets, and many more tools that have changed our lives forever. Of course, these same technologies have also brought us memes like Socially Awkward Penguin, Success Kid, and yes, Grumpy Cat.

These two worlds collide as four industry experts use today’s memes to explore the innovative world of learning. The rules of each presentation are simple: Each speaker’s presentation has 20 slides that automatically advance every 20 seconds. That provides each speaker with six minutes and 40 seconds to share their vision of how learning is being innovated. And there’s one last rule—slides can use only common Internet memes for visuals. Join us for what is sure to be a fun and informative session.

In this session, you will learn:

• How learning is being innovated
• How Ignite session formats can create unique learning opportunities
• What learning might look like years from now
• Way more about Internet memes than you ever thought possible

Audience:
Novice to advanced designers, project managers, and managers.

Technology discussed in this session:
Various.

Learning in an eLearning module is generally assessed through multiple choice questions, rather than measuring demonstrations of target behaviors. When you design eLearning, you build in knowledge checks. All too often, these quizzes are reading comprehension tests rather than authentic assessments of skills. You need to test the target objectives to ensure you meet the goal of the program.

In this session, you will look at aligning assessments with intended outcomes and designing activities that measure skill gains. You will learn about alternatives like scenario-based activities that allow users to practice decision-making skills they will need to apply to their new learning on the job. You’ll also learn about self-check assessments and rubrics that learners and reviewers can objectively evaluate. You will learn how to create assessments that reflect measurable gains and help designers like you demonstrate ROI on projects, and help learners better master the subject at hand.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to align assessments to outcomes
• How to build authentic assessments
• How to build a rubric
• How to create online scenario-based assessment activities
• Why multiple choice questions don’t effectively assess skills

Audience:
Novice to advanced designers, managers, and directors.

Technology discussed in this session:
N/A

There is plenty of research about the increasing use of video to engage learners and drive performance. The thirst for video content is effectively shown in some startling stats: YouTube is the second-most used search engine with over 1 billion-plus unique users every month; and online video is forecast to account for 60 percent of all web data by 2020. When video is the most popular, shareable form of media content, how can you explore the learning opportunities the technology affords?

In this session, you will explore various techniques and practical insights learned from working with this technology. You will also explore concepts from learning and instructional design, psychology, and technology. You will learn how certain forms of video narrative and interactive enhancement lend themselves to certain learning requirements, such as how flow states can be induced in learners through certain techniques. You will leave the session understanding how these elements interact to create rich, engaging learning experiences.

In this session, you will learn:

• About advances in technology that let L&D professionals enhance the learning potential of instructional videos with interactive technology
• What types of interactive video are suitable for certain types of learning need
• How certain situational cues can be manipulated via interactive video to induce flow states in the learner
• How to create an immersive learning environment, combining both storytelling and games
• How to employ game development processes, such as pace, scoring, video/graphical interactions, and fun
• How to use storytelling techniques and how to create a production process distinct to interactive narratives

Audience:
Intermediate to advanced designers, developers, project managers, managers, and directors.

Technology discussed in this session:
N/A

If you look at the learning solutions that are being produced today, there is still an issue with the solutions hitting the mark and moving the needle for a learner. You need to take a step back and focus on the learner, the experience you want them to have, and how to convey the information in a way that moves a learner to action outside of the learning event.

In this hands-on and active session, you will learn about the key design framework to help learning practitioners think beyond the content or information they are given to build a course, and really consider how to make it meaningful to learners. You will explore learner profiles, stories, and contextual themes to keep the learner top of mind, even when the stakeholder is focused on the information. This session will provide you with a collaborative and creative outlet to explore new ways of putting content together, and give you the tools to help explain the value that this approach produces.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to step back from the information and content, and build an effective performance-changing solution for your stakeholders
• What learner experience is and how to ensure you are designing around it
• How to create learner profiles and keep them front of mind
• How to enhance the quality of your courses, regardless of the eLearning tool
• Tips and techniques to add more engagement in your learning solutions
• How to navigate through a content/information dump session and steer the conversation back to the outcomes for the learners
• The top five things that are essential to do when you are designing your courses for learner experience

Audience:
Novice to advanced designers, developers, project managers, managers, and directors.

Technology discussed in this session:
N/A

How often are you faced with the dilemma and the questions: “Can I use this?” or “Where can I find images, video, music, and audio I can actually use without violating copyright?” With so many media assets, such as images, video, and audio readily available online, it can be a headache to figure out what you can use for a project and what is restricted by copyright. How can you ensure you are working within the legal guidelines, but still get the job done?

In this session, you’ll take a high-level overview of copyright and intellectual property and focus on the practical application of finding works you can use. With a primary emphasis on usability rather than the restrictive nature of copyright, you will be empowered to find high quality, legally compliant resources. You’ll walk away with resources, including a decision-making flow chart, and websites that have already approved the use of their content.

In this session, you will learn:

• The differences between copyright as it applies to non-profit and commercial entities
• When you can re-use something found online and when additional permission is needed
• What Creative Commons licensing is and why it’s important to you
• How to find Creative Commons-licensed works
• How to properly provide attribution when using a Creative Commons-licensed work
• About websites and resources that provide open access and public domain works available for free use

Audience:
Novice and intermediate designers and developers.

Technology discussed in this session:
Open Attribute plugin.

Shrinking budgets and accelerated production schedules can make it difficult to leave room for professional voiceover narration for eLearning projects, and it’s often one of the first things cut. Unfortunately, skimping on quality narration can leave learners confused or distracted, which has a direct negative impact on their attention and retention.

In this session, you will explore the problems of costly and time-consuming professional voiceover narration by teaching you the skills you need to improve your performance. You will be able to provide quality narration in-house. You will learn that switching to in-house production results in significant money and time savings. Whether you are doing the eLearning narration or your employees are, this session teaches essential skills to improve performance. And freelancers will gain the skills and knowledge to offer professional-quality narration, allowing them to provide an all-in-one product to clients with no outsourcing.

In this session, you will learn:

• About the importance of breathing and techniques to improve it
• The best ways to warm up
• About enunciation, volume, tone, and inflection, and how it affects the end result
• Exercises you can do for just a few minutes every day that will improve your narration
• Three simple secrets that practically guarantee you’ll see an improvement in your narration in just two to three weeks

Audience:
Novice and intermediate designers, developers, project managers, and managers.

Technology discussed in this session:
N/A

The difference between a novice and an expert Captivate developer primarily falls in knowing things like when and how to create user variables, system variables, and shared actions. Impossible, you say? You’ll never be able to wrap your head around these topics?

Don’t be frightened. Even if you’re new to Captivate, or using prior versions of the tool, come and learn! That big impenetrable wall you seem to see has a door in it that you can just walk through if you have the key to unlock it. In this hands-on session you will gain a deeper understanding of these activities and functions and be provided with real example files and additional resources. Come with your questions, and if you don’t know what to ask, come anyway and just soak it all in!

In this session, you will learn:

• When and how to create user variables and system variables
• When to use simple actions and how to create standard advanced actions
• When and how to create conditional advanced actions
• When and how to create shared actions
• When and how to use JavaScript in Captivate

Audience:
Novice and intermediate designers and developers.

Technology discussed in this session:
Adobe Captivate 9.

Participant technology requirements:
Adobe Captivate.

Video can be a highly effective form of media for learning. However, adding video to an eLearning course has historically been expensive and something that required a large amount of time and skill to create. That’s not the case today, with the tools for creating and editing video becoming both easier to use and less expensive.

In this session, you’ll see how easy it is to create high-quality video for eLearning. You’ll also learn how course creators are integrating video to create more engaging learning experiences.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to create video-based quizzes
• To develop branching video scenarios
• To spot the common hazards with quizzes
• How to conduct video interviews

Audience:
Intermediate and advanced designers and developers.

Technology discussed in this session:
Various emerging technologies.

Participant technology requirements:
Installed version of Articulate Storyline Version 2 (at least a trial version).