Innovative Ideas for eLearning
We recognise that they key to success is to ensure learning modules are ‘designed to be interactive and engaging’. As innovation gurus, Captovate has a number of innovative suggestions for increasing efficiency and effectiveness. While not delivered via the LMS, they do serve to create a ‘life long learning model’ - which sees learning go beyond the classroom and fit into various dimensions of a person's whole life.
Social Media - a familiar alternative
Social media now provides many options for the professional workplace. As users of platforms such as Facebook visit it regularly, we recommend including it as an environment to engage in professional development which results in greater buy-in to participation and immersion into course content.
Captovate are experts on creative ways to embed social media into corporate workplaces.
Our innovation suggestion is to consider Facebook Workplace as a platform for managing the student/facilitator conversations.
- Facebook workplace links colleagues via their work email addresses, not their personal Facebook profiles
- Allows for collaboration on documents, topics and discussions
- Has the unique functionality where participants can watch videos from anywhere, and have a live discussion forum.
- Allows course content to be inserted into their daily social feeds, transitioning the learning environment into an everyday dialogue.
Using everyday tools like Facebook supports the lifelong learning principles where practices learnt through the official learning platform can be extended with shared social spaces. The key to learning is to be immersed in it regularly. Learning shouldn’t be done alone, and Facebook allows a platform for colleague support and sharing.
LinkedIn - an alternative source
Captovate is a LinkedIn partner and therefore can broker a relationship between yourselves and LinkedIn Learning regarding some specific course topics, should that be of interest.
A mobile alternative to induction
Captovate has recently developed an induction App. Different from the more content intensive learning modules that are often required for more complex skills transfer. The purpose of the App is to provide a mobile friendly interface from which employees can access key induction materials anywhere at anytime in a secure way. This may include:
- a welcome video from the CEO
- a listing of core policy and procedure documents, with a validation function to confirm employees have read the documents (which, for some organisations is a mandatory employer commitment)
- short, DIY instruction videos (such as demonstrating how to record data correctly into job systems)
- plus step-by-step user manuals for process driven activities (how to set up the phone system for example).
The aim of the App is to allow easy updates to content by internal staff, and easy and continuous access by staff, who may need to access core organisational policies, or knowledge articles outside of the office environment or after hours.
This App is a product that can be immediately implemented. The App can function offline, so is appropriate for remote location inductions
Working offline
Explainer videos are a quick and effective way of creating content that provides explanations of concepts in an engaging and animated effect. With graphic designers on staff we develop the visual storyboard and use tools like VideoScribe to build the animation. Below is an example project Captovate is currently developing for the Department of Education to clarify their new approach to a School Improvement model.
Gamification
Gamification is becoming a common requirement of many digital applications. Badges, points, and leaderboard incentives help to maintain enthusiasm. Healthy competition between colleagues is recognised as an effective form of engagement. While not related to the eLearning space, Captovate has used the concept of rewards for a behaviour change campaign for Power and Water in an attempt to encourage reduced water usage in consumers. Users gained badges for various events. With coders on our team, Captovate is well placed for implementing this innovative functionality. Gamifying makes the process more fun, as you feel like you're gaining something that's more than just knowledge.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality online training content is becoming more common every year. This is primarily due to the fact that it has so many applications in Learning and Development, from immersive task-based online training simulations to more interactive serious games. Virtual and Augmented Reality have the power to transform online training experiences by putting corporate learners into the middle of the action. Thus, they are able to gain more real-world experience in a risk-free environment.
Captovate has recently procured Facebook’s Oculus headset. Not yet released in Australia, Captovate has ordered one from the US. Our goal is to be in the forefront of these innovation engagement tools, and explore ways to utilise these virtual experiences, where users are immersed in virtual situations, which is a fabulous learning experience. The Facebook platform allows ‘players’ to explore worlds with other Facebook users.
This could be a very unique and engaging way to connect staff located in different offices.
Integrating high-quality voiceovers into your eLearning content is essential as it provides additional engagement, particularly for auditory learners, and ensures your outputs conform to accessibility guidelines. At Captovate, we use Microsoft Azure because it offers a powerful, secure, and efficient platform for accessing and utilising voiceovers. By leveraging Azure's advanced AI capabilities, you can create natural and expressive voiceovers that enhance your content's appeal. Why Choose Microsoft Azure for Voiceovers? Enhanced Security Microsoft Azure prioritises the security of your data. With robust encryption protocols, multi-factor authentication, and compliance with international security standards, Azure ensures that your voiceover projects and sensitive information are protected against unauthorised access and cyber threats. If you work for a government agency, this helps ensure you conform to your internal cybersecurity requirements (although it is important to check with them). Save Output Saving voiceover outputs using Microsoft Azure is straightforward and secure. After generating the voiceover using Azure's Text-to-Speech service, you can download the file directly to your computer in formats like MP3 or WAV. This makes it easier for you to edit content if something changes. Customise Pronunciations Customising pronunciations using phonetic codes in Microsoft Azure involves using the Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) to define how specific words or phrases should be pronounced. By embedding phonetic codes within your text input, you can control the pronunciation precisely. For example, using the ` ` tag with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) or custom phonetic alphabets within SSML, you can specify the desired pronunciation for each word, ensuring accuracy and clarity in the generated voiceover. This flexibility allows for tailored speech outputs that match regional accents, technical jargon, or specific name pronunciations. Insider knowledge: For some reason, voiceover software has issues with pronouncing words ending in "ies," such as "policies." This customisation allows us to control the output. We have created a lexicon for challenging words. Cutting-Edge AI Technology Azure's AI-powered text-to-speech capabilities deliver natural and expressive voiceovers, enabling you to create more immersive and engaging content. With a wide range of voices and languages, you can tailor your voiceovers to match your project's specific requirements. Cost-Effective Azure's pay-as-you-go pricing model ensures that you only pay for what you use, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. How to set it up Go to https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/free/ Click the "Start Free" button If you haven't already got a microsoft account, create a new one. After you have filled in the relevant information, watch the two videos below. First first - Watch Video Second step - Watch Video In the browser type in speech.microsoft.com After that you should be ready to go.
Do you need to publish a Storyline file to your website or intranet.
Are you considering the development of eLearning modules? If so, one of the first questions on your mind is likely to be:
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Integrating high-quality voiceovers into your eLearning content is essential as it provides additional engagement, particularly for auditory learners, and ensures your outputs conform to accessibility guidelines. At Captovate, we use Microsoft Azure because it offers a powerful, secure, and efficient platform for accessing and utilising voiceovers. By leveraging Azure's advanced AI capabilities, you can create natural and expressive voiceovers that enhance your content's appeal. Why Choose Microsoft Azure for Voiceovers? Enhanced Security Microsoft Azure prioritises the security of your data. With robust encryption protocols, multi-factor authentication, and compliance with international security standards, Azure ensures that your voiceover projects and sensitive information are protected against unauthorised access and cyber threats. If you work for a government agency, this helps ensure you conform to your internal cybersecurity requirements (although it is important to check with them). Save Output Saving voiceover outputs using Microsoft Azure is straightforward and secure. After generating the voiceover using Azure's Text-to-Speech service, you can download the file directly to your computer in formats like MP3 or WAV. This makes it easier for you to edit content if something changes. Customise Pronunciations Customising pronunciations using phonetic codes in Microsoft Azure involves using the Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) to define how specific words or phrases should be pronounced. By embedding phonetic codes within your text input, you can control the pronunciation precisely. For example, using the ` ` tag with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) or custom phonetic alphabets within SSML, you can specify the desired pronunciation for each word, ensuring accuracy and clarity in the generated voiceover. This flexibility allows for tailored speech outputs that match regional accents, technical jargon, or specific name pronunciations. Insider knowledge: For some reason, voiceover software has issues with pronouncing words ending in "ies," such as "policies." This customisation allows us to control the output. We have created a lexicon for challenging words. Cutting-Edge AI Technology Azure's AI-powered text-to-speech capabilities deliver natural and expressive voiceovers, enabling you to create more immersive and engaging content. With a wide range of voices and languages, you can tailor your voiceovers to match your project's specific requirements. Cost-Effective Azure's pay-as-you-go pricing model ensures that you only pay for what you use, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. How to set it up Go to https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/free/ Click the "Start Free" button If you haven't already got a microsoft account, create a new one. After you have filled in the relevant information, watch the two videos below. First first - Watch Video Second step - Watch Video In the browser type in speech.microsoft.com After that you should be ready to go.
Do you need to publish a Storyline file to your website or intranet.
Are you considering the development of eLearning modules? If so, one of the first questions on your mind is likely to be:
We are skilled at ensuring eLearning modules are designed to be interactive and engaging. The tools we use have the functionality to allow inclusion of creative media, voice-over, online videos, and hover text. This approach includes a variety of learning pedagogies to maintain interest and accommodate individual learning styles. Below are a few of the ways in which we approach the creative.