Session Schedule Available
You'll be able to choose from 22 breakout sessions in 4 time slots. See the session descriptions below and this year's session schedule to start planning your day. Please keep in mind that although this schedule is as accurate as possible, it may be subject to change.
Keynote Session
David Kelly, Executive Vice President & Executive Director, The eLearning Guild | Bio
The Now & Next of Learning & Technology
Technology continues to change how we live and interact with the world around us. Today’s learning professionals face the challenge of tracking the technologies that are shaping the future of organizational learning while recognizing technologies that may be more of a passing fad. In this keynote, you will explore the changing face of the learning technology landscape. You will discuss the various technologies that have shifted the landscape of organizational learning. You will examine the common characteristics of these shifts so that you are better equipped to recognize which emerging technologies have the potential to disrupt organizational learning, as opposed to those that are just hype.
Educational Breakout Sessions
Design
Tim Buteyn, President, ThinkingKap Learning Solutions, Inc. | Bio
Becky Lucas, CPT, Director of Instructional Strategy, ThinkingKap Learning Solutions, Inc. | Bio
Maximize eLearning Engagement by Converting Narration Scripts into Interactive Dialog
What’s more engrossing, someone talking TO you, or someone talking WITH you? We all feel more engaged when we’re part of the conversation. Typical elearning feels like the narrator is talking TO the learner. Not with interactive conversations! A well-implemented interactive conversation allows learners to forget they’re interacting with a computer. Constructing a presenter that seems “aware” is key to this illusion. In this session, we will discuss the principles of constructing believable conversations, how critical tone is to maintaining the illusion, and how this approach personalizes the learning experience. We’ll finish by helping everyone convert some standard monologue into an interactive dialog.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Identify the tone and narrative flow required to create the illusion of a real conversation
- Convert “monologue” style narration into interactive “dialog”
- Structure courses to support personalization through learner choices within the conversation
Stephanie Daul, Independent Learning Consultant | Bio
Got Game? Starting Gaming in Your Organization
This session addresses how instructional designers and learning professionals can develop a gamification culture in their organization. By describing and experiencing the difference between gamification and gaming, you will learn how to incorporate gaming techniques into traditional elearning designs. Don’t have the budget to develop elaborate graphics and interaction? We’ll use rapid development tools, like Articulate Studio and Storyline, to develop engaging gamified learning solutions. We’ll also address how to start your design thinking with gamification, including a technique for up-skilling instructional designers.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Explain the difference between games and gamification
- Identify and create gamification elements in learning solutions
- Develop simple solutions using your current rapid development tools
Jennifer De Vries, CPT, President & Chief Solutions Architect, BlueStreak Learning, LLC | Bio
Instructional Design: Essentials for eLearning Projects
Professionals get into elearning from a variety of backgrounds, including trainers, media and web developers, and subject experts. They may not fully understand what “instructional design” (ID) is or how it can help them. During this session, we’ll review elearning examples and define “quality elearning.” Then, we’ll explore why using ID principles and processes improves quality, ROI, user satisfaction, and success rates. We’ll discuss why needs assessment is important, and based on audience needs, you’ll write measurable, behavioral objectives. You’ll see examples of course design documents and storyboards and receive a list of resources to help you grow your elearning skills.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Distinguish between high- and-low quality elearning courses
- Adapt the ADDIE model for elearning projects
- List the skill sets needed for developing high-quality elearning and how to obtain them
Peter Fogarty, Lead Instructional Designer, Relativity | Bio
Simon Tanzman, Instructional Design Specialist, Relativity | Bio
Make It Fun! Bringing Creativity to Technical Skills Training
It’s all too easy to get stuck creating dry, lifeless training content that follows a tried-and-true blueprint. At Relativity, we realized our systematic approach to developing software training often left our users disinterested or intimidated. How could we reimagine our design philosophy and find new ways to engage and stimulate learners without losing focus on the technical details that are critical to their success? In this session, you’ll learn how Relativity and other like-minded software companies have embraced games, puzzles, compelling stories, and relevant cultural touchpoints to create captivating experiences that fully engage learners’ brains.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Expand your design methodologies to employ innovative approaches to technical skills training
- Leverage learning technology to capture learners’ imaginations and fully engage their brains
- Maximize your background, passions, and experiences to captivate audiences and make your job a lot more fun
Pete Hybert, CPT, Consultant, PRH Consulting Inc. | Bio
Learn-to-Do: Using an Upside-Down Instructional Model
Too often, elearning and traditional instructional programs make learners sit through a lot of content. Designers build “interactions” or games to keep people engaged, but what about performance? This session features a design approach that targets performance and provides learners the shortest path to get there. Performers do the task (or an approximation of it) and ask for tips or instruction as needed. Learning is oriented around performing rather than “content.” This is the upside-down instructional model.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Describe the upside-down instructional model and why it benefits learners and the larger organization
- Explain the “performance-centered” design structure and the impact on content and exercise “chunking”
- Identify how to change your design and development approach to implement this model
Becky Lucas, CPT, Director of Instructional Strategy, ThinkingKap Learning Solutions, Inc. | Bio
Tim Buteyn, President, ThinkingKap Learning Solutions, Inc. | Bio
Fun Compliance Training: More Than Just Checking the Box
Reading policies and page-turning compliance elearning can be a snooze fest. That’s why we’ve taken a fresh look at compliance training. Presentiing policies and regulations in the context of stories, consequences, and interactive dialog draws the learner in. In this session, we’ll explore challenges that organizations face when developing compliance training. Then, we’ll provide examples of elearning techniques that we have used in recent projects to address these challenges. We’ll wrap up by asking, “What are you doing to turn compliance training into something more than just checking the box?”
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Recognize 10 design techniques to keep compliance training fresh and engaging
- Use specific design techniques to overcome challenges of compliance training
Bruce Mabee, CPLP, Managing Partner, Milestone Partners, LLC | Bio
Zooming-In to Humanity: How Do You Create Strategic Learning Webinars That Engage People into Action & Shift Company Culture?
You’re in a webinar with participants in boxes on your screen: 2 have trouble un-muting, and another has a barking dog! But something else is more important—are they engaged? Do they kick into action and make progress on a key business problem? Platforms such as Zoom, GoToMeeting, and Skype save significant costs, but they also offer much greater potential. In this session, you’ll critique 2 cases of webinars that built engagement and strategic teamwork—and broke key barriers that their organizations faced. You will learn skills to immediately expand your impact with technology. Please—before the robots take over!
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Achieve strategic learning and follow-through, using familiar webinar platforms (Zoom, GoToMeeting, etc.)
- Shape online designs to engage the deeper humanity of participants
- Engage executive clients in thinking bigger about the strategic opportunities of learning media
Scott McCormick, CEO, Emergent Enterprise Consulting | Bio
Designing Effective User Experience in the Digital Age
In this session, we will rise above the clutter of buzzy trends and hyperbolic learning solution promises and look closely at what makes superior user experience (UX). We will explore how to leverage technology to deliver information in a frictionless way. By spotlighting design thinking practices, we will elevate the learner to key stakeholder. We will cover how the UX is affected by a wide variety of influences, including context, the technology being used, and learner behavior. I will showcase the UX design processes of industry leaders and share real-world examples of powerful enterprise training UX.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Build a user experience strategy that allows you to empathize with and understand the needs of your leaning audience
- Apply design thinking to the development of a training objective
- Evaluate new and emerging technologies for training initiatives that can enhance and improve learning
Ken Phillips, CEO & Founder, Phillips Associates | Bio
Crack the Code of Test Question Design: Creating eLearning Quizzes & Assessments
Quizzes and tests are used extensively in elearning to reinforce learning and test for knowledge, but poorly constructed test questions do neither. Writing valid test questions is an art and science, and, unfortunately, many learning and development professionals don’t possess those skills. Consequently, they create test questions that are either too simple or too difficult or that unintentionally provide clues to the correct answer. These problems result in tests that miss the mark and may measure nothing. In this session, you will analyze mistakes commonly made when creating elearning quizzes and assessments, and discover 15 tips for overcoming these mistakes.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Analyze the common mistakes made by many learning and development professionals when creating tests for elearning
- Identify the difference between test questions that measure recall and those that measure application
- Apply 15 tips for creating valid, scientifically sound multiple-choice test questions
Shannon Tipton, Owner, Learning Rebels, LLC | Bio
The 7 Deadly Sins of Microlearning
Microlearning has been the buzzword in the training industry for the past few years. However, microlearning is not only widely misunderstood, but also often misused both as a term and in execution. Differentiating fact from fiction can be difficult when myths are passed down by the well-intentioned. In this session, we’ll explore each myth about microlearning, discuss why people believe the myth, and use the available information to shed light on the truth beyond all the noise and shiny objects. Finally, we’ll consider the validity of what you’ve heard about microlearning and how to appropriately apply it to your organization.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Identify effective microlearning by using the provided definitions and examples
- Describe each microlearning myth, why it’s believed, and how to dispel it
- Explain how microlearning can benefit your organization
Develop
David Charney, Owner, Illumen Group | Bio
Building Advanced Storyline Projects from Start to Finish
Every elearning project is different, with unique goals and instructional approaches. Developing for those approaches can be difficult when we’re limited by our understanding of software. During this session, we will develop 3 projects: a simple drag-and-drop product assembly, a JavaScript calculator interaction, and a rotational walk-through. We will use Articulate Storyline, brainstorm approaches, and build functional projects. Then, we’ll look at a larger project that uses several similar techniques to drive learning.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Think outside the box when developing elearning in Storyline
- Brainstorm and problem solve to reach goals
- Use the software more smartly, including knowing when to use outside tools like Javascript
Jann Iaco, CPLP, Training Specialist, Crate and Barrel | Bio
A First-Timer’s Guide to Building eLearning!
You’ve been designing and developing classroom-style training, but now you have to build elearning courses, too! What do you need to know? This session is for those of you who need to “skill up” your instructional design capabilities to start creating successful online training. Knowing how to design classroom training isn’t enough, especially when your company/client wants to “switch it up” and add elearning courses. We will examine the pitfalls to avoid in your early design attempts, whether you are building a course from scratch or converting existing material.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Plan how to convert existing classroom training into an elearning course
- Outline the key components required in developing a successful elearning course
- Determine how elements such as video, voiceover, and images will enhance elearning design
Dan Keckan, CEO, Cinecraft Productions | Bio
The Anatomy of a Video-based Simulation
In this session, you will learn how combining video and elearning can create effective simulations that increase skill and change behaviors. You will experience first-hand both award-winning video-based simulations and poorly designed simulations. Then, you will break down the anatomy of the simulations, piece by piece. Breaking down the simulations includes differentiating among first-, second-, and third-person point-of-view camera angles. Also, we will cover how to effectively involve subject matter experts in the storyboarding process to minimize revisions. Finally, we will identify tips and techniques that experts use when crafting decision points, learner answers, and coaching feedback.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Differentiate among first-person, second-person, and third-person point-of-view video simulations
- Discover techniques for designing linear decision points that reflect behaviors
- Use tools to use when storyboarding and flowcharting a simulation
Peter Stout, Art Director, Reflection Software | Bio
Liesl Christle, Account Executive, Reflection Software | Bio
The 5 Dos & Don’ts of Using Animation
Have you ever wanted to use animation in your training, but couldn’t figure out where or when to use it? Or did you use animation, but your learners still didn’t seem to grasp the concept? Animations have become the hallmark of creating quick and engaging training. But has the use of animation gone from being an impactful way to present content to a “catch-all” for presenting information? In this session, together, we will design a decision tree that will help you determine if animation is the right choice for your subject matter and learners.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Determine when and how to use animation effectively
- Tell a story through animation that will reach their learners
- Identify the animation dos and don’ts
Strategize
Susan Fisher, Lead Instructional Designer & Learning Consultant, Innovative Learning Group | Bio
Transforming eLearning into ePerformance
You’re sold on performance support (PS), but with a learning management system full of elearning courses, your organization isn’t ready to switch to a PS approach. How can you use your existing assets to create working solutions that prove their worth? Using a systems training case study, this session will show how conventional elearning content can be repurposed to meet Gottfredson and Mosher’s Five Moments of Learning Need. We’ll explore transformation of the course into a blended solution within the original authoring tool (Storyline 360). We’ll see how content, user interface, and navigation redesign optimize usability for moments of need.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Map content found in a typical elearning course to the moments of learning need
- Redesign content to serve the purposes of performance support, explanation, learning reinforcement, or reference
- Leverage the capabilities of your authoring tool to make the content easily accessible as needed
Haitham Gasim, Senior Director of Technology, Kineo US | Bio
Elizabeth Honerkamp, Solutions Consultant, Kineo US | Bio
Building a Learning Ecosystem
Systems and tools are being developed every year to push boundaries and shake up the learning and development industry. Ensuring that the tools work with your learning platform is crucial to unlocking real potential. An organization does not have to rely solely on a platform or LMS anymore to fulfill all its learners needs; it can rely on an ecosystem that consists of multiple connected nodes. In this session, we’ll explore ecosystems and the key tools that organizations use to take their learning environments to the next level.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Describe a learning ecosystem and its benefits
- Identify crucial components to support your learning strategy
- Explain what a learning ecosystem might look like based on your organizational needs
Jeff Joanisse, Chief Creative Officer, th3rd coast Media Solutions | Bio
Joseph Van Harken, Director of New Business Development, th3rd coast Media Solutions | Bio
Using AR & VR to Solve Your Company’s Learning Gaps
Companies just like yours are using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to train their employees. In fields from sales to manufacturing to biosolutions, AR and VR are proving to be amazingly effective training tools for practice-makes-perfect and just-in-time learning. In this session, you’ll get to see, hear, and experience some of these solutions first-hand while also finding out what you can create on your own versus what you need to hire professionals to do.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Recognize real opportunities for AR & VR
- Distinguish when DIY tools are appropriate
- Discuss AR & VR as performance support options with business leaders in your organization
Nancy Munro, Founder & CEO, Verbal Transactions | Bio
Podcasting, the On-Again Trend in Audio Content: Tips, Tricks, & Techniques
Podcasting is finally getting the recognition it deserves. In this presentation, I will walk you through various tips, tricks, and techniques on how to streamline your podcasting production process. You will also see how to create interactive and trackable podcasting so that you can capture more in-depth metrics on how your content was consumed. Last, you will learn how to publish the content for multiple purposes using a variety of free tools and channels.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Create podcasting templates using Audacity
- Understand the power of RSS feeds
- Learn how to track actual consumption of podcast content
Marty Rosenheck, Ph.D., Director of Talent Development Consulting, eLearning Brothers | Bio
Cognitive Science Guidelines for Creating Awesome eLearning
Cognitive science research provides a wealth of knowledge on how people learn and develop skills. This session will offer you 7 practical guidelines that have been distilled from the research for designing excellent learning experiences. You’ll see examples of how these guidelines can be implemented using a variety of learning technologies, including elearning, online simulations, xAPI, and learning experience management systems. You’ll discuss how these research-based guidelines can apply to learning experience design challenges in your own organization. You’ll leave with a few solid takeaways that you can use to create truly awesome elearning experiences that get results.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Apply 7 guidelines from cognitive science for elearning experience design
- Harness learning technologies to support formal, informal, and on-the-job learning experiences
Carol Schuetz, Senior Instructional Designer, Briljent | Bio
Andrea Light, Senior e-Developer, Briljent | Bio
Sandra Samargis, Business Development Partner, Briljent | Bio
It Doesn’t Have to Always Be a Course
With today’s competing demands and limited resources, we must be more creative with our solutions. eLearning has always been a great way to cost-effectively train a variety of audiences. In this interactive session, we will explore a case study on how to leverage an ordinary tool and transform it into an elearning resource that can impact a large audience, such as an entire U.S. state. Learn how a successful, self-service elearning solution was developed and delivered on a no-cost platform that didn’t require any special technology, and saved the state both time and staffing resources.
At the end of this session, you will be able to
- Solve an online learning challenge without the use of an LMS or additional staff
- Leverage a website for online learning without using traditional elearning development tools
Learning Spark
A Learning Spark is a 5-minute presentation using 20 automated slides that will show for 15 seconds each. There will be 1 session with 8 speakers. Get ready to be inspired by these fast and fresh perspectives on learning and development.
Kathleen Fortney, Learning Strategist, Judge Learning Solutions | Bio
It’s Business, Baby!
Feel like you have trouble making the case for your learning initiatives? Frustrated that business leaders ask you to develop learning programs after they have already made decisions that constrain your ability to deliver results? The problem might be that others perceive you as an educator, not as a business person. I will provide an overview of how to think and talk about the business of learning in a way that resonates with business executives.
Carrie Goldbeck, Senior Membership Resources Specialist, Rotary International | Bio
How to Make It Stick
We’ve all seen elearning modules that look like an information dump. So how do you make the content stick with the learner? I will describe how I used fictional characters, storytelling, and interactive features to engage Rotary volunteers in scenario-based learning to address their membership challenges. I will share components of the learning experience that ultimately increase learners’ retention of the content.
Bridget O’Dell, Instructional Designer, CCC Information Services | Bio
Parlez-Vous JavaScript? Using JavaScript to Search Within a Course
JavaScript and variables have a lot to offer in the course development world. They can be used to build complex elearning interactions. In this 5-minute session, learn how to use JavaScript and variables to build custom search functionality inside a module. Set the parameters, and when a learner enters search criteria, custom search results will display content from within the course.
Rose Pilgrim, Senior Instructional Designer, Judge Learning Solutions | Bio
Pay Attention to This!
In this session, we’ll discuss how to use the main elements of elearning to support learning, rather than interfere with it. We’ll explore how to appropriately use audio, on-screen text, and visuals and how to effectively manage learner attention.
Eileen Terrell, PMP, CPLP, Instructional Designer & Service Delivery Manager, The CARA Group, Inc. | Bio
T.I.P.: Think in Pictures & Add eLearning to Your ID Toolkit
This session will provide some background for anyone considering incorporating elearning into their instructional design (ID) toolkit and not sure how to begin. I will share how I expanded my mindset to begin to think of learning using pictures, without compromising learning integrity; why you should consider adding elearning to your ID toolkit; resources to begin the journey; and next steps.
Rob Van Hyfte, Delivery Director, The Judge Group | Bio
Growing Pains? Fact of Life, or Not?
What do you do when your learning organization grows year after year? How can you deliver the same quality and standards to your clients? How do you scale from managing 3 projects to 30? Directing a learning team has its joys and challenges, and this learning spark will provide tips for those in or close to management roles.
Annette Wisniewski, CPT, Learning Strategist, Judge Learning Solutions | Bio
What Is Agile eLearning Development?
What is Agile elearning development? How does it compare to traditional approaches, such as ADDIE? I will provide you with some guidelines to help you make informed decisions about which approach is best suited to your training needs.