• Instructional design

    Design: Write a proposed solution

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    This is the second post in my ADDIE series; you can read the first post here and read this post about ADDIE. In this post I will share my lessons learned and best practices related to the Design phase; specially how to write a proposed solution in an Assessment document. There’s a lot to be done in the Design phase, so there will be a few posts for this phase of ADDIE.

     

    What is Design?

    It is the second phase in the ADDIE model. The goal of this phase is to create a solution that addresses the performance gap that was identified and agreed to in the Assessment phase.

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  • Instructional design

    How to write micro copy: 4 tips & lessons

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    In this post, I am focusing on writing effective micro copy for e.learning. In my experience, micro copy is not something most e.learning designers actively think about which is surprising (guilty!). Sometimes once the Development phase begins it’s a topic that gets revisited. But even then, it’s pretty quick and minimal.

     

    What’s micro copy?

    Micro copy is short bits of sentences or phrases that help instruct, guide, or correct the user. The most frequent uses are related to website design.

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  • Career

    How to rock your lay off: 3 tips & lessons

    Maybe you’re reading this because you’re going through a lay off. If so, your life is about to change dramatically and that can be pretty exciting (and scary). You have been presented with an experience. What are you going to do with it? I vote for rockin’ it.

    And if you haven’t been laid off, would you like to feel lit up and fulfilled? Keep reading because these tips and lessons are for you too.

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  • Career

    Reiki precepts help develop leadership skills

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    In my previous post, I talked about how conducting Reiki self-treatment can help you at work. It can help you manage your stress level and become more self-aware which can help you stay at your peak. But Reiki self-treatments are just one element of learning and practicing Reiki.

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  • Career

    Reiki at the office

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    Want to invest in your professional development? Consider Reiki.

     

    So much has been written and said about Reiki as a healing tool (here’s an excellent introduction). But it can change your professional life as well. And I don’t just mean if you are a medical professional, like a nurse or first responder.

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  • Instructional design

    Assessment: I’ve got a few questions

    I intend to write a separate post for each of the phases of ADDIE. In each post, I will share some of my best practices as well as my lessons learned. I hope you find this series helpful.

    I’m beginning the series with Assessment.

     

    What is Assessment?

    This is the first phase in the ADDIE model. The purpose of this phase is to understand the problem that the Business is seeing and how best to address it.

    The Business is asking you to solve a performance related problem and they believe that training is the solution. Cool, thanks! There can be other solutions (e.g., compensation, operational, etc.) so please think beyond training; you are more likely to see tangible results if you do.

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  • Instructional design

    Making ADDIE work: My 3 lessons learned

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    I like ADDIE (generally speaking) and think that it provides a solid framework for most learning projects. I have used ADDIE throughout my career; as a designer, a manager or in adult education courses I have taught. I’d like to share with you a few ADDIE pitfalls and some of my lessons learned.

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  • Career

    Feedback is a gift

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    Starting right now, I’d like you to assume that all feedback is given with the best of intentions and it is always delivered with respect. We’ll deal with the other situation later.

    It’s not always easy being on the receiving end of feedback, even when it is delivered with the best of intentions and the utmost respect. Treating feedback like a gift can help. (more…)

  • Life

    Fear is a teacher

    100dayswithoutfear found me this morning thanks to the not-so random Facebook newsfeed. Some Internet algorithm decided that I needed to hear about this (and an adorable dance off between the groom and his mother at his wedding reception). Thank you, Internet. You are so right.

    Michelle, a New Yorker, is sharing her journey as she explores 100 of her fears. She is facing them one at a time, documenting and blogging about them. Each blog post has a video of her facing the fear, some details and an emoji rating about her stress during the experience. Some of the fears she has tackled are: a day without her cellphone, getting her ears pierced, and sky diving (gulp).

    A few things really peaked my interest: the emoji ratings, the fears she was facing, and the Internet response.

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  • Career

    Want a fulfilling career? Answer these 3 questions

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    Your career is important. Here’s my logic…

     

    There are 365 days in a year; 104 weekend days and 11 public holidays. Let’s say you get 3 weeks of vacation time (15 days). You spend 235 days working a year. What?! That’s the majority of your days!

     

    How many of those 235 days are you all fired up? (Wait a second, you do remember what that feels like, right?)

    How many times do you say: this is exciting, this is fun, and wow I’m good at this.

    How many times do you: laugh out loud, smile with teeth showing, and eyes twinkle.

    (more…)