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Commlab India
CommLab India helps you design and develop online solutions by converting your ILT material to eLearning curriculums, Flash-based courses to HTML5.
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Commlab India 2021-03-31
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As a training manager you must be facing the urgent need of shifting in-person classroom training to virtual training solutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using existing training content, robust instructional design strategies, agile project management, and rapid authoring tools accelerates the development process, making it possible to rollout eLearning courses quickly.

This is because SMEs:Have the domain knowledge and are the right people to address subject-related queriesValidate the content to be included in the training programPlay an important role in the review of the rapid eLearning courses to ensure the content has been explained correctlyHowever, SMEs are usually hard-pressed for time.

And though SMEs may be excellent at classroom training, they may not be well-versed in instructional design for online training.

Plan in advance and schedule meetings/calls with the SME.

This can help in the effective utilization of time.Using knowledge maps (visual representation mapping the course outline to the relevant content) can make it easier for SMEs to understand the relevance of a question the learning expert might have.

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Commlab India 2021-03-16
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Why should you bother so much about employee onboarding, and why should you consider blended learning for your organization’s onboarding program?

It’s because around 20% of newly hired employees leave within the first 45 days of employment (Forbes).

So, the question is, how do you reduce employee turnover?Creating an Effective Blended Learning Program for Successful OnboardingOnline portal for initial greet-and-meet sessionsVideo-based eLearning modules for brand presentationBlended approach for formal training sessionsScenario-based online training for role clarityMicrolearning nuggets for critical supportBy building an effective onboarding program!According to a Brandon Hall report, organizations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%.

An effective onboarding program ensures your new employees are given enough support during their integration into your organization and remain a great fit in the long run.

All in all, a good onboarding program is critical, and a blended learning approach can offer a mix of different training types to maximize its success.That was all about the “Why?” of blended learning for onboarding training.

Provide an online welcome package on your portal, including:The schedule for the onboarding processContact information of team members, mentors, reporting managersVideo messages from team membersAnswers to FAQs regarding onboardingObjectives and expected deliverables….. or anything else you feel is important from your organization’s perspective.In addition, you can also host a virtual conferencing session to set the ball rolling for interactions – an informal meet to socialize and make the new-hires feel they’re all in this together.This way you’ll ensure your new hires are better prepared and well-supported for their onboarding experience when they come to work.2.

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Commlab India 2021-02-23
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Why Use Rapid eLearning Design for Implementing New-age Instructional Strategy Bases Instruction on Robust Instructional Design PrinciplesUses Agile and Iterative Project Management and Review ProcessesLeverages the Super Powers of Rapid eLearning Authoring ToolsCheck out our free webinar on new-age instructional strategies to improve knowledge retention.What is Rapid eLearning Design?Rapid eLearning design is a set of processes put in place to cut down on the time to design eLearning courses by leveraging the benefits of robust instructional design principles, efficient project management, and the technology of authoring tools.You may be thinking, “Our good old slide-based eLearning courses are good enough, so why go through all this hassle of adopting new-age instructional design strategies?” But the truth is, new-age learning instructional strategies have become a decisive factor in how successful your training program is going to be.

Here are a few reasons:New-age instructional strategies help you create more impactful learning experiences.

It gives them an edutaining learning experience, hooks their attention (believe me, a very difficult task!

Bases Instruction on Robust Instructional Design PrinciplesRapid eLearning design does away with the extraneous media elements and irrelevant interactivities that are a part of conventional eLearning courses.

The focus is primarily on robust instructional design principles.

These performance-based learning objectives, in turn, determine all aspects of eLearning design – the scope of content, instructional design strategy, assessments, cost, and duration of training.With performance-based learning objectives in place, you can easily decide what new-age instructional strategy you are going to use.

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Commlab India 2021-02-04
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In the wake of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, organizations are looking for a quick solution which will allow them to go online with their training, and rapid eLearning is the go-to solution.What is Rapid eLearning?6 Things Every Training Manager Should KnowRapid eLearning does NOT mess with quality and instructional designRapid eLearning does NOT throw creativity out of the windowRapid eLearning leverages the power of authoring toolsRapid eLearning does NOT do away with project managementRapid eLearning takes less time and cost to developRapid eLearning offers immense scopeExplore different aspects of rapid eLearning course development.It is also true that rapid eLearning leverages the power of authoring tools.

Rapid eLearning Does NOT Mess with Quality and Instructional DesignIt is a common belief that rapid eLearning doesn’t involve Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Instructional Designers (IDs).

Though it may not need extensive involvement of SMEs and IDs (unlike in custom eLearning development where they have to create content from scratch), their expertise is still needed to make the content online-ready.Rapid eLearning is created from existing content in the form of ILT materials, PPT decks, and old legacy and Flash-based courses.

This content is often incomplete or outdated, and SMEs need to review it thoroughly, fill gaps, and update relevant information.On the other hand, IDs have to decide on an instructional strategy, chunk the existing content, set learning objectives, decide on the level of interactivity, and plan for formative and summative assessments based on the learning objectives.2.

It does NOT Throw Creativity Out of the Window There is another widely held misconception that when you choose to go for rapid eLearning, you limit yourself to click-next courses.

Rapid courses may do away with the unnecessary bells and whistles, but they do not lack creativity.

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Commlab India 2021-03-24
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‘Old is gold’ or ‘New is always better’?

Let’s go ahead and debunk 6 such myths.6 Common Myths about Blended LearningILT + eLearning = blended learningIt costs more than classroom trainingIt’s just a steppingstone from ILT to eLearningRole of instructors and facilitators becomes superfluousILT is the only facet of offline learningYour employees need to be tech savvy for blended learning to workDebunking 6 Common Myths around Blended LearningMyth #1: ILT + eLearning = Blended LearningBlending learning doesn’t mean having a few classroom sessions followed by a few eLearning courses or vice-versa.

There are many ways of delivering both online and offline training, depending on the learning requirement.You can start with introductory ILT sessions and follow them with eLearning modules to provide in- depth information.You can start with an eLearning pre-assessment and continue with classroom sessions.You can include job shadowing, mentoring, peer coaching, as well as workshops, seminars, and webinars in your blended training programs.You can deliver the entire training in the classroom and provide job-aids through mobile apps for performance support.You can mix and match any format of online and offline learning and come up with a new cocktail of blended learning.

But if you factor in the cost of the venue, traveling and lodging, food, and loss of production time when employees are in training, and the necessity of doing this over and over again every few months, you might want to reconsider your options.

The best thing about blended learning is that it’s an inexpensive way of training your global workforce who can all access the same training from wherever they are, whenever they need.Myth #3: It’s Just a Steppingstone from ILT to eLearningTransitioning your entire training program from ILT to eLearning can be a challenge, and blended learning can help make the process easier as employees can get acclimatized to online training.

But if you include a classroom role-playing session where learners collaborate and learn the art of selling, the training will effectively address both requirements.The fundamental principle behind a blended learning solution is to recognize the best learning format that will provide complete and effective training.Myth #4: There is NO Role for Instructors and Facilitators in Blended LearningNothing can be farther from the truth than the assumption that instructors are not important in a blended learning program.

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Commlab India 2021-03-08
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These are workers who are constantly on-the-go; they could be sales representatives, service technicians on the field, drivers, or warehouse workers who work in shifts and do not have access to desktops or laptops.

Just as in a full-fledged eLearning course, microlearning design too needs careful thought and planning.

7 Characteristics of Microlearning DesignAddresses a single performance-based objectiveLeverages existing contentFollows the minimalist design trendDelivers short bursts of learningUses a variety of formatsAdheres to a mobile-first designProvides intuitive accessWhat are the Characteristics of Effective Microlearning Design?1.

But that’s not possible when you are considering microlearning design, simply because you are looking at a short training time that may probably go up to a maximum of 15 mins.If you need to develop an effective microlearning solution, then address only one performance-based objective per microlearning module.

Microlearning Leverages Existing ContentWhat’s good about microlearning design is that you don’t have to start creating content from scratch.

If the training content in PPTs used for classroom training, manuals, and PDFs are relevant to your learners’ needs, use that information in your microlearning modules.

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Commlab India 2021-02-12
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A Market research firm, Global Industry Analysts predicted that eLearning would reach $107 Billion in 2015.

7 tips to choose the right eLearning vendorEnsure eLearning development is the core businessCheck how long they have been in the businessCheck samples of their workEnsure they have a well-defined development processEnsure they have a strong background in instructional designReview the experiences of their existing clientsEnsure they can keep up with the latest trendsCustom eLearning vendors design, develop, and deliver eLearning courses, ensuring they are learner-centric by incorporating the right Instructional Design strategies, Adult Learning Principles, and using appropriate authoring tools.With the eLearning market flooded with vendors, and a huge number of custom eLearning vendors mushrooming every day, how do you make the right choice?

Wondering why this matters?Well, an eLearning vendor whose core business is not eLearning development might not be able to dedicate themselves completely to your project.

In fact, if eLearning is just a small part of their offerings, their primary focus will be on their biggest offering.

Vendors who have been in this industry for a long time would have witnessed the various changes happening in this industry and will be able to understand the technical updates and how far they can be applied to meet the needs of modern learners.They will also have specialized skillsets required for eLearning design and development such as project managers, instructional designers, visual designers, and authoring tool experts.But sometimes, age can turn out be just a number.

I want to see, walk through, climb stairs, open doors, look out of windows, and flush the toilet in a house they actually built,” says Kevin Thorne an LMS administrator of Autozone, Inc.This is exactly what you need to do before choosing an eLearning vendor too – check samples of their work.

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Commlab India 2021-02-01
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LMSs today are no longer mere catalogs for eLearning courses; they are the primary platform for planning, delivering, and measuring the impact of training experiences (both online and offline).Learn more about LMS administrations and support and how outsourcing can ease your workload.So, is it time to let go of the traditional LMS and embrace a more modern learning platform?Absolutely!Here are a few things to look for while choosing a modern LMS.5 Features to Look for in a Modern LMS1.

Personalized Learning PathsWhen it comes to adult learning, especially corporate training, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work because learners prefer learning at their own pace, based on their learning needs and interests.The modern LMS makes it possible to personalize online training as it offers learners individual learning paths that are tailored to their requirements and preferences, instead of just assigning courses according to their job role.Modern LMSs also allow integration with adaptive learning engines that can track learners’ activities and responses in real-time and offer highly customized learning paths.Taking a key from streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify, LMSs today offer course recommendations to learners by tracking their areas of interest, thereby opening up more opportunities for learning.2.

Rewards can be customized to reflect various achievements of each learner throughout the learning journey.Unlike elements like ‘Progress’ and ‘Levels’ that are only visible to individual learners, leaderboard scores (displaying a ranking of learners) can be seen by everyone.

LMSs now have in-built chatrooms and online forums, giving learners the opportunity to interact with peers, mentors, and experts.Discussion boards are also a source of user-generated content which often help learners get instant information and answers to queries.

From ordering food, clothes, and cabs to monitoring your sleep and physical activities, we have an app for it all.

They help evaluate learners’ progress, find opportunities for interventions and support, and also provide compliance data.But the fact is, it is no longer enough to just produce reports on completion.

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Commlab India 2021-03-23
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Once a month, week, or every day?

You would rather skip reading and watch something online.

So much so that videos will account for 82% of global IP traffic by 2022 (Cisco).

5 Popular Microlearning Video Formats Kinetic typography videos (Text-based)Whiteboard animationsWebcasts or live demosInteractive videosUser-generated videosYou can use microlearning videos to meet diverse requirements in your organization such as:Introducing concepts, factsSupplementing formal learning sessionsOffering performance supportSpreading awareness and marketing online learning internallyLet’s now explore the different types of microlearning videos you can use for online training.5 Popular Types of Microlearning Videos1.

If you’re going for audio narration, ensure it is synced with the onscreen text.Ensuring shapes and graphics are indicative of what the onscreen text is saying.

The minimalist design of these videos allows learners to concentrate on the content being presented.

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Commlab India 2021-02-24
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The recent testing times have proven that rapid eLearning is the undisputed champion in the arena of corporate training.

4 Traits that Make Rapid eLearning the Undisputed Corporate Training ChampionFast and budget friendly design and development – Rapid eLearning uses existing content, rapid authoring tools, and customizable predetermined templates for courseware creation.Quick conversion and translation solutions – Rapid eLearning can help convert classroom ILT (instructor-led training) to Virtual ILT, Flash courses to HTML5, and even provide multilingual translation.No compromise on quality – Rapid eLearning upholds course quality of traditional eLearning course, by following AGILE process of eLearning development.Support for all training types – Rapid eLearning supports all possible training types and needs.Rapid eLearning has changed the entire eLearning geography, delivering fast business results by increasing employee efficiency and compliance – all that you as a training manager could have hoped for.

It makes it possible to roll out critical courses within tight budgets and short timelines.In this article, I have listed four features that make rapid eLearning the go-to training strategy for 2020.Rapid eLearning, as the name itself suggests, is a process of efficient eLearning course design and development in the minimum possible time.

With COVID-19 showing no signs of departing anytime soon, 44% of global companies are going for eLearning and virtual employee training.

Given that such a massive requirement cannot be met in-house, most organizations are looking towards eLearning vendors for outsourcing their corporate training courses.But what makes rapid eLearning wear the champion’s belt with pride?

This is achieved by:Using existing content: Rapid eLearning development primarily uses existing material (classroom and other resources) after it is checked for accuracy and relevance by the SMEs – PPTs, manuals, facilitator guides, etc.

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Commlab India 2021-02-08
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6 Popular Rapid Authoring Tools for Corporate Training Articulate Storyline 360Articulate Rise 360Adobe Captivate 2019Lectora Inspire 19iSpring 9.7EasygeneratorExplore new-age instructional design practices for eLearning development.Top Features of 6 Most Popular Rapid eLearning Authoring Tools1.

Storyline 360 will certainly appeal to you if you wish to develop highly interactive courses, as it:Has a library of 6 million free stock multimedia assets – characters, images, interactivities, and templates – for developers’ use.Has a myriad of built-in customizable interactive templates (gamified, scenario-based or assessment templates) that can be reused time and again in your courses.Can create high-quality animations using ten different motion paths and triggers.Offers a responsive player that can automatically adapt the screen layout to all mobile devices –smartphones and tablets.

Articulate Rise 360The Articulate suite actually comes with two authoring tools – Storyline 360 is the high-end desktop version while Rise 360 is the versatile easy-to-use cloud version.

All you need to do is put your training content in these boxes.Has access to Articulate suite’s stock multimedia library, enabling developers to create visually attractive courses easily without looking for images or videos in external sites.Most importantly, it creates fully responsive eLearning courses that can fit themselves to the screen size of any mobile device without needing any tweaks or alignments.3.

Adobe Captivate 2019Flash may be leaving the race by the end of 2020, but Adobe is still in the competition for the title of ‘Best Authoring Tool’ with its latest version – Captivate 2019.

From developing mobile responsive courses to Flash to HTML5 conversions to simulations, Captivate is the tool for rapid eLearning development to provide a highly interactive and immersive training experience.Here are a few features that make Adobe Captivate worth your choice.It can provide learners an immersive learning experience by using 360° images and virtual reality.

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Commlab India 2020-12-25
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There’s just around a week left before the midnight bell rings in 2021 and you run out of time to convert your legacy courses from Flash to HTML5.

All those eLearning courses that you have developed over the years by investing so much time, money, and effort will no longer work.

And if you fail to convert your courses in the next few days, you might not get another shot at it again.

Explore a one-stop handy guide on eLearning authoring tools for all your training needs.If you’re thinking, “It’s too late.

There’s just too many courses and too little time”, I want to give you some good news!

And this is where we can leverage rapid eLearning development strategy and authoring tools.

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Commlab India 2021-03-16
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Concepts such as ‘lockdowns’, ‘social distancing’, ‘mask mandates’ were unknown to most of us.

Today, they are part of our everyday language.

For corporate learning and development, social distancing meant disrupting the traditional way (in-person classrooms) organizations operate and train their employees.

But this also meant that rapid eLearning development came into vogue.

An All-in-one guide to convert classroom training materials into online training.Organizations levering in-person training methods – classroom, on-the-job, workshops, and so on – were compelled to opt for online training methods, be it eLearning (asynchronous) or Virtual Instructor-led Training/VILT (synchronous).

And when you need to shift your classroom training materials to eLearning, within a limited time and budget; can there be a better solution than rapid eLearning?

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Commlab India 2021-02-23
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What are your biggest challenges as a training manager in your organization?Training budgets?

Tight timelines?Dwindling budgets and ever-reducing timelines will continue to be with you, especially now with the global pandemic raging around us.

But before we move on to the tips, let’s first define rapid eLearning.5 Tricks to Reduce Cost and Time with Rapid eLearningBe smart with SME timeUse online review toolsFollow the iterative SAM processLeverage the right eLearning authoring toolStandardize templates and elementsWhat is Rapid eLearning?Rapid eLearning, as the term suggests, ensures eLearning course development (the process of developing eLearning courses) in minimum time.

That’s where rapid eLearning comes in handy – to convert your existing classroom materials into eLearning courses quickly and effectively.Without further ado, let’s take a detailed look at some of the ways rapid eLearning reduces time and cost.

Be Smart with SME Time Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) play an important role in building good eLearning courses.

However, SMEs are also very busy people – whose primary job is not training – who usually do not have much time to spend on training.

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Commlab India 2021-02-05
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His company is releasing a new television into the market at the end of next month.

Patrick’s boss asked him to develop an online course about the product, for the service technicians of the company.

How can companies develop technology-enabled materials quickly to meet their fast-emerging training needs?

As corporate L budgets continue to get slim in real terms with each passing year, rapid e-learning development has emerged the best choice to meet dynamic learning needs fast, without burning a hole in the pocket.How to make the best use of rapid e-learning development?

You need to follow a 5-step process to use the methodology effectively for developing high quality online courses quickly.Step 1: Set clear, realistic training goalsThis is the most important (and unfortunately, the least focused) step in the rapid e-learning development process.

Many instructor-led resources are not organized in a proper sequence i.e.

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Commlab India 2020-12-23
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21 CFR Part 11 RegulationsWhat Should an LMS Offer to be Compliant?Restricted data access and a robust user authentication processSecure electronic signaturesAudit trail trackingCourse versioningReport generation for inspectionHave you heard of it?Explore an all-new rapid, plug n play customizable LMS – Effectus.What is 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance Regulation?21 CFR Part 11…sounds like a cryptic message from a James Bond movie.

A missile launch-code or perhaps the code to a secret vault.

21 CFR Part 11 is the FDA’s (Food and Drug Administration) regulations for electronic documentation and electronic signatures.You may think, “What has that got to do with training?”Well, for the past two decades, corporate L has been gradually but steadily shifting from classroom to online training.

Today, most employee compliance training in the Food and Pharmaceutical Industries on SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and other required certification training is done through eLearning.Since food and pharmaceutical and other clinical and life sciences-related industries come under the FDA, the LMSs used by organizations in these fields have to comply with the 21 CFR Part 11 regulations.

Their access to the LMS should be controlled and limited to their roles as learners, authors, managers, and admins so that after signing in, each can access the features available to their assigned role.Another way of ensuring LMS security is through a robust user authentication process.

You can do that by:Creating strong usernames and passwords for every userAdopting a verified password recovery processAssigning a unique e-signature for every userUsing an API for Single Sign-on (SSO)2.

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Commlab India 2021-03-31
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As a training manager you must be facing the urgent need of shifting in-person classroom training to virtual training solutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using existing training content, robust instructional design strategies, agile project management, and rapid authoring tools accelerates the development process, making it possible to rollout eLearning courses quickly.

This is because SMEs:Have the domain knowledge and are the right people to address subject-related queriesValidate the content to be included in the training programPlay an important role in the review of the rapid eLearning courses to ensure the content has been explained correctlyHowever, SMEs are usually hard-pressed for time.

And though SMEs may be excellent at classroom training, they may not be well-versed in instructional design for online training.

Plan in advance and schedule meetings/calls with the SME.

This can help in the effective utilization of time.Using knowledge maps (visual representation mapping the course outline to the relevant content) can make it easier for SMEs to understand the relevance of a question the learning expert might have.

Commlab India 2021-03-23
img

Once a month, week, or every day?

You would rather skip reading and watch something online.

So much so that videos will account for 82% of global IP traffic by 2022 (Cisco).

5 Popular Microlearning Video Formats Kinetic typography videos (Text-based)Whiteboard animationsWebcasts or live demosInteractive videosUser-generated videosYou can use microlearning videos to meet diverse requirements in your organization such as:Introducing concepts, factsSupplementing formal learning sessionsOffering performance supportSpreading awareness and marketing online learning internallyLet’s now explore the different types of microlearning videos you can use for online training.5 Popular Types of Microlearning Videos1.

If you’re going for audio narration, ensure it is synced with the onscreen text.Ensuring shapes and graphics are indicative of what the onscreen text is saying.

The minimalist design of these videos allows learners to concentrate on the content being presented.

Commlab India 2021-03-16
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Why should you bother so much about employee onboarding, and why should you consider blended learning for your organization’s onboarding program?

It’s because around 20% of newly hired employees leave within the first 45 days of employment (Forbes).

So, the question is, how do you reduce employee turnover?Creating an Effective Blended Learning Program for Successful OnboardingOnline portal for initial greet-and-meet sessionsVideo-based eLearning modules for brand presentationBlended approach for formal training sessionsScenario-based online training for role clarityMicrolearning nuggets for critical supportBy building an effective onboarding program!According to a Brandon Hall report, organizations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%.

An effective onboarding program ensures your new employees are given enough support during their integration into your organization and remain a great fit in the long run.

All in all, a good onboarding program is critical, and a blended learning approach can offer a mix of different training types to maximize its success.That was all about the “Why?” of blended learning for onboarding training.

Provide an online welcome package on your portal, including:The schedule for the onboarding processContact information of team members, mentors, reporting managersVideo messages from team membersAnswers to FAQs regarding onboardingObjectives and expected deliverables….. or anything else you feel is important from your organization’s perspective.In addition, you can also host a virtual conferencing session to set the ball rolling for interactions – an informal meet to socialize and make the new-hires feel they’re all in this together.This way you’ll ensure your new hires are better prepared and well-supported for their onboarding experience when they come to work.2.

Commlab India 2021-02-24
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The recent testing times have proven that rapid eLearning is the undisputed champion in the arena of corporate training.

4 Traits that Make Rapid eLearning the Undisputed Corporate Training ChampionFast and budget friendly design and development – Rapid eLearning uses existing content, rapid authoring tools, and customizable predetermined templates for courseware creation.Quick conversion and translation solutions – Rapid eLearning can help convert classroom ILT (instructor-led training) to Virtual ILT, Flash courses to HTML5, and even provide multilingual translation.No compromise on quality – Rapid eLearning upholds course quality of traditional eLearning course, by following AGILE process of eLearning development.Support for all training types – Rapid eLearning supports all possible training types and needs.Rapid eLearning has changed the entire eLearning geography, delivering fast business results by increasing employee efficiency and compliance – all that you as a training manager could have hoped for.

It makes it possible to roll out critical courses within tight budgets and short timelines.In this article, I have listed four features that make rapid eLearning the go-to training strategy for 2020.Rapid eLearning, as the name itself suggests, is a process of efficient eLearning course design and development in the minimum possible time.

With COVID-19 showing no signs of departing anytime soon, 44% of global companies are going for eLearning and virtual employee training.

Given that such a massive requirement cannot be met in-house, most organizations are looking towards eLearning vendors for outsourcing their corporate training courses.But what makes rapid eLearning wear the champion’s belt with pride?

This is achieved by:Using existing content: Rapid eLearning development primarily uses existing material (classroom and other resources) after it is checked for accuracy and relevance by the SMEs – PPTs, manuals, facilitator guides, etc.

Commlab India 2021-02-23
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Why Use Rapid eLearning Design for Implementing New-age Instructional Strategy Bases Instruction on Robust Instructional Design PrinciplesUses Agile and Iterative Project Management and Review ProcessesLeverages the Super Powers of Rapid eLearning Authoring ToolsCheck out our free webinar on new-age instructional strategies to improve knowledge retention.What is Rapid eLearning Design?Rapid eLearning design is a set of processes put in place to cut down on the time to design eLearning courses by leveraging the benefits of robust instructional design principles, efficient project management, and the technology of authoring tools.You may be thinking, “Our good old slide-based eLearning courses are good enough, so why go through all this hassle of adopting new-age instructional design strategies?” But the truth is, new-age learning instructional strategies have become a decisive factor in how successful your training program is going to be.

Here are a few reasons:New-age instructional strategies help you create more impactful learning experiences.

It gives them an edutaining learning experience, hooks their attention (believe me, a very difficult task!

Bases Instruction on Robust Instructional Design PrinciplesRapid eLearning design does away with the extraneous media elements and irrelevant interactivities that are a part of conventional eLearning courses.

The focus is primarily on robust instructional design principles.

These performance-based learning objectives, in turn, determine all aspects of eLearning design – the scope of content, instructional design strategy, assessments, cost, and duration of training.With performance-based learning objectives in place, you can easily decide what new-age instructional strategy you are going to use.

Commlab India 2021-02-08
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6 Popular Rapid Authoring Tools for Corporate Training Articulate Storyline 360Articulate Rise 360Adobe Captivate 2019Lectora Inspire 19iSpring 9.7EasygeneratorExplore new-age instructional design practices for eLearning development.Top Features of 6 Most Popular Rapid eLearning Authoring Tools1.

Storyline 360 will certainly appeal to you if you wish to develop highly interactive courses, as it:Has a library of 6 million free stock multimedia assets – characters, images, interactivities, and templates – for developers’ use.Has a myriad of built-in customizable interactive templates (gamified, scenario-based or assessment templates) that can be reused time and again in your courses.Can create high-quality animations using ten different motion paths and triggers.Offers a responsive player that can automatically adapt the screen layout to all mobile devices –smartphones and tablets.

Articulate Rise 360The Articulate suite actually comes with two authoring tools – Storyline 360 is the high-end desktop version while Rise 360 is the versatile easy-to-use cloud version.

All you need to do is put your training content in these boxes.Has access to Articulate suite’s stock multimedia library, enabling developers to create visually attractive courses easily without looking for images or videos in external sites.Most importantly, it creates fully responsive eLearning courses that can fit themselves to the screen size of any mobile device without needing any tweaks or alignments.3.

Adobe Captivate 2019Flash may be leaving the race by the end of 2020, but Adobe is still in the competition for the title of ‘Best Authoring Tool’ with its latest version – Captivate 2019.

From developing mobile responsive courses to Flash to HTML5 conversions to simulations, Captivate is the tool for rapid eLearning development to provide a highly interactive and immersive training experience.Here are a few features that make Adobe Captivate worth your choice.It can provide learners an immersive learning experience by using 360° images and virtual reality.

Commlab India 2021-02-04
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In the wake of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, organizations are looking for a quick solution which will allow them to go online with their training, and rapid eLearning is the go-to solution.What is Rapid eLearning?6 Things Every Training Manager Should KnowRapid eLearning does NOT mess with quality and instructional designRapid eLearning does NOT throw creativity out of the windowRapid eLearning leverages the power of authoring toolsRapid eLearning does NOT do away with project managementRapid eLearning takes less time and cost to developRapid eLearning offers immense scopeExplore different aspects of rapid eLearning course development.It is also true that rapid eLearning leverages the power of authoring tools.

Rapid eLearning Does NOT Mess with Quality and Instructional DesignIt is a common belief that rapid eLearning doesn’t involve Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Instructional Designers (IDs).

Though it may not need extensive involvement of SMEs and IDs (unlike in custom eLearning development where they have to create content from scratch), their expertise is still needed to make the content online-ready.Rapid eLearning is created from existing content in the form of ILT materials, PPT decks, and old legacy and Flash-based courses.

This content is often incomplete or outdated, and SMEs need to review it thoroughly, fill gaps, and update relevant information.On the other hand, IDs have to decide on an instructional strategy, chunk the existing content, set learning objectives, decide on the level of interactivity, and plan for formative and summative assessments based on the learning objectives.2.

It does NOT Throw Creativity Out of the Window There is another widely held misconception that when you choose to go for rapid eLearning, you limit yourself to click-next courses.

Rapid courses may do away with the unnecessary bells and whistles, but they do not lack creativity.

Commlab India 2020-12-25
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There’s just around a week left before the midnight bell rings in 2021 and you run out of time to convert your legacy courses from Flash to HTML5.

All those eLearning courses that you have developed over the years by investing so much time, money, and effort will no longer work.

And if you fail to convert your courses in the next few days, you might not get another shot at it again.

Explore a one-stop handy guide on eLearning authoring tools for all your training needs.If you’re thinking, “It’s too late.

There’s just too many courses and too little time”, I want to give you some good news!

And this is where we can leverage rapid eLearning development strategy and authoring tools.

Commlab India 2021-03-24
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‘Old is gold’ or ‘New is always better’?

Let’s go ahead and debunk 6 such myths.6 Common Myths about Blended LearningILT + eLearning = blended learningIt costs more than classroom trainingIt’s just a steppingstone from ILT to eLearningRole of instructors and facilitators becomes superfluousILT is the only facet of offline learningYour employees need to be tech savvy for blended learning to workDebunking 6 Common Myths around Blended LearningMyth #1: ILT + eLearning = Blended LearningBlending learning doesn’t mean having a few classroom sessions followed by a few eLearning courses or vice-versa.

There are many ways of delivering both online and offline training, depending on the learning requirement.You can start with introductory ILT sessions and follow them with eLearning modules to provide in- depth information.You can start with an eLearning pre-assessment and continue with classroom sessions.You can include job shadowing, mentoring, peer coaching, as well as workshops, seminars, and webinars in your blended training programs.You can deliver the entire training in the classroom and provide job-aids through mobile apps for performance support.You can mix and match any format of online and offline learning and come up with a new cocktail of blended learning.

But if you factor in the cost of the venue, traveling and lodging, food, and loss of production time when employees are in training, and the necessity of doing this over and over again every few months, you might want to reconsider your options.

The best thing about blended learning is that it’s an inexpensive way of training your global workforce who can all access the same training from wherever they are, whenever they need.Myth #3: It’s Just a Steppingstone from ILT to eLearningTransitioning your entire training program from ILT to eLearning can be a challenge, and blended learning can help make the process easier as employees can get acclimatized to online training.

But if you include a classroom role-playing session where learners collaborate and learn the art of selling, the training will effectively address both requirements.The fundamental principle behind a blended learning solution is to recognize the best learning format that will provide complete and effective training.Myth #4: There is NO Role for Instructors and Facilitators in Blended LearningNothing can be farther from the truth than the assumption that instructors are not important in a blended learning program.

Commlab India 2021-03-16
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Concepts such as ‘lockdowns’, ‘social distancing’, ‘mask mandates’ were unknown to most of us.

Today, they are part of our everyday language.

For corporate learning and development, social distancing meant disrupting the traditional way (in-person classrooms) organizations operate and train their employees.

But this also meant that rapid eLearning development came into vogue.

An All-in-one guide to convert classroom training materials into online training.Organizations levering in-person training methods – classroom, on-the-job, workshops, and so on – were compelled to opt for online training methods, be it eLearning (asynchronous) or Virtual Instructor-led Training/VILT (synchronous).

And when you need to shift your classroom training materials to eLearning, within a limited time and budget; can there be a better solution than rapid eLearning?

Commlab India 2021-03-08
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These are workers who are constantly on-the-go; they could be sales representatives, service technicians on the field, drivers, or warehouse workers who work in shifts and do not have access to desktops or laptops.

Just as in a full-fledged eLearning course, microlearning design too needs careful thought and planning.

7 Characteristics of Microlearning DesignAddresses a single performance-based objectiveLeverages existing contentFollows the minimalist design trendDelivers short bursts of learningUses a variety of formatsAdheres to a mobile-first designProvides intuitive accessWhat are the Characteristics of Effective Microlearning Design?1.

But that’s not possible when you are considering microlearning design, simply because you are looking at a short training time that may probably go up to a maximum of 15 mins.If you need to develop an effective microlearning solution, then address only one performance-based objective per microlearning module.

Microlearning Leverages Existing ContentWhat’s good about microlearning design is that you don’t have to start creating content from scratch.

If the training content in PPTs used for classroom training, manuals, and PDFs are relevant to your learners’ needs, use that information in your microlearning modules.

Commlab India 2021-02-23
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What are your biggest challenges as a training manager in your organization?Training budgets?

Tight timelines?Dwindling budgets and ever-reducing timelines will continue to be with you, especially now with the global pandemic raging around us.

But before we move on to the tips, let’s first define rapid eLearning.5 Tricks to Reduce Cost and Time with Rapid eLearningBe smart with SME timeUse online review toolsFollow the iterative SAM processLeverage the right eLearning authoring toolStandardize templates and elementsWhat is Rapid eLearning?Rapid eLearning, as the term suggests, ensures eLearning course development (the process of developing eLearning courses) in minimum time.

That’s where rapid eLearning comes in handy – to convert your existing classroom materials into eLearning courses quickly and effectively.Without further ado, let’s take a detailed look at some of the ways rapid eLearning reduces time and cost.

Be Smart with SME Time Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) play an important role in building good eLearning courses.

However, SMEs are also very busy people – whose primary job is not training – who usually do not have much time to spend on training.

Commlab India 2021-02-12
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A Market research firm, Global Industry Analysts predicted that eLearning would reach $107 Billion in 2015.

7 tips to choose the right eLearning vendorEnsure eLearning development is the core businessCheck how long they have been in the businessCheck samples of their workEnsure they have a well-defined development processEnsure they have a strong background in instructional designReview the experiences of their existing clientsEnsure they can keep up with the latest trendsCustom eLearning vendors design, develop, and deliver eLearning courses, ensuring they are learner-centric by incorporating the right Instructional Design strategies, Adult Learning Principles, and using appropriate authoring tools.With the eLearning market flooded with vendors, and a huge number of custom eLearning vendors mushrooming every day, how do you make the right choice?

Wondering why this matters?Well, an eLearning vendor whose core business is not eLearning development might not be able to dedicate themselves completely to your project.

In fact, if eLearning is just a small part of their offerings, their primary focus will be on their biggest offering.

Vendors who have been in this industry for a long time would have witnessed the various changes happening in this industry and will be able to understand the technical updates and how far they can be applied to meet the needs of modern learners.They will also have specialized skillsets required for eLearning design and development such as project managers, instructional designers, visual designers, and authoring tool experts.But sometimes, age can turn out be just a number.

I want to see, walk through, climb stairs, open doors, look out of windows, and flush the toilet in a house they actually built,” says Kevin Thorne an LMS administrator of Autozone, Inc.This is exactly what you need to do before choosing an eLearning vendor too – check samples of their work.

Commlab India 2021-02-05
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His company is releasing a new television into the market at the end of next month.

Patrick’s boss asked him to develop an online course about the product, for the service technicians of the company.

How can companies develop technology-enabled materials quickly to meet their fast-emerging training needs?

As corporate L budgets continue to get slim in real terms with each passing year, rapid e-learning development has emerged the best choice to meet dynamic learning needs fast, without burning a hole in the pocket.How to make the best use of rapid e-learning development?

You need to follow a 5-step process to use the methodology effectively for developing high quality online courses quickly.Step 1: Set clear, realistic training goalsThis is the most important (and unfortunately, the least focused) step in the rapid e-learning development process.

Many instructor-led resources are not organized in a proper sequence i.e.

Commlab India 2021-02-01
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LMSs today are no longer mere catalogs for eLearning courses; they are the primary platform for planning, delivering, and measuring the impact of training experiences (both online and offline).Learn more about LMS administrations and support and how outsourcing can ease your workload.So, is it time to let go of the traditional LMS and embrace a more modern learning platform?Absolutely!Here are a few things to look for while choosing a modern LMS.5 Features to Look for in a Modern LMS1.

Personalized Learning PathsWhen it comes to adult learning, especially corporate training, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work because learners prefer learning at their own pace, based on their learning needs and interests.The modern LMS makes it possible to personalize online training as it offers learners individual learning paths that are tailored to their requirements and preferences, instead of just assigning courses according to their job role.Modern LMSs also allow integration with adaptive learning engines that can track learners’ activities and responses in real-time and offer highly customized learning paths.Taking a key from streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify, LMSs today offer course recommendations to learners by tracking their areas of interest, thereby opening up more opportunities for learning.2.

Rewards can be customized to reflect various achievements of each learner throughout the learning journey.Unlike elements like ‘Progress’ and ‘Levels’ that are only visible to individual learners, leaderboard scores (displaying a ranking of learners) can be seen by everyone.

LMSs now have in-built chatrooms and online forums, giving learners the opportunity to interact with peers, mentors, and experts.Discussion boards are also a source of user-generated content which often help learners get instant information and answers to queries.

From ordering food, clothes, and cabs to monitoring your sleep and physical activities, we have an app for it all.

They help evaluate learners’ progress, find opportunities for interventions and support, and also provide compliance data.But the fact is, it is no longer enough to just produce reports on completion.

Commlab India 2020-12-23
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21 CFR Part 11 RegulationsWhat Should an LMS Offer to be Compliant?Restricted data access and a robust user authentication processSecure electronic signaturesAudit trail trackingCourse versioningReport generation for inspectionHave you heard of it?Explore an all-new rapid, plug n play customizable LMS – Effectus.What is 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance Regulation?21 CFR Part 11…sounds like a cryptic message from a James Bond movie.

A missile launch-code or perhaps the code to a secret vault.

21 CFR Part 11 is the FDA’s (Food and Drug Administration) regulations for electronic documentation and electronic signatures.You may think, “What has that got to do with training?”Well, for the past two decades, corporate L has been gradually but steadily shifting from classroom to online training.

Today, most employee compliance training in the Food and Pharmaceutical Industries on SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and other required certification training is done through eLearning.Since food and pharmaceutical and other clinical and life sciences-related industries come under the FDA, the LMSs used by organizations in these fields have to comply with the 21 CFR Part 11 regulations.

Their access to the LMS should be controlled and limited to their roles as learners, authors, managers, and admins so that after signing in, each can access the features available to their assigned role.Another way of ensuring LMS security is through a robust user authentication process.

You can do that by:Creating strong usernames and passwords for every userAdopting a verified password recovery processAssigning a unique e-signature for every userUsing an API for Single Sign-on (SSO)2.