Patti Shank, PhD, Author at eLearning Industry

Creating Better Video For Learning: Processing Instructional Video

Patti Shank, PhD — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 13:00:26 +0000

Processing instructional video content is critical to remembering and using the knowledge, but some viewers don’t watch or process video. What are some easy tactics we can use to fix this problem?

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Creating Better Video For Learning: Design Principles For Mentally Processing Videos

Patti Shank, PhD — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 18:00:01 +0000

Which principles are valuable for making instructional video better for mental processing? Part 3 of my series on better video for learning primarily discusses processing issues and Mayer's (2021) and Brame's (2016) instructional video design principles.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Creating Better Video For Learning: Processing And Learning From Video

Patti Shank, PhD — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 18:00:40 +0000

Research tells us how to make multimedia such as video easier to learn from. In this article, I discuss how we process video and the design principles that make video better for mental processing. Understanding how these processes and principles work helps us create better instructional video.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Creating Better Video For Learning: When Should We Use Videos?

Patti Shank, PhD — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 17:00:47 +0000

This is the first article in a series about what evidence (research) says about creating better video for learning. It discusses the attributes of media and technologies for digital or blended instruction, selecting content and social interactions, and the strengths and challenges of video.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

When Graphics Lower Learning

Patti Shank, PhD — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 20:00:16 +0000

Using appropriate graphics in learning content is critical. Some graphics are especially helpful for learning. But others can damage learning, as evidenced by research on graphics that contain interesting but irrelevant information.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

4 Multiple-Choice Question Misunderstandings That Spell Trouble

Patti Shank, PhD — Sun, 02 Jan 2022 20:00:40 +0000

Research shows that many multiple-choice questions are poorly written. One of the reasons they are poorly written is that many question writers have misunderstandings about multiple-choice questions. In this article, I'll discuss 4 of these misunderstandings and what's true instead.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

(The Right) Learning Modalities To Deliver Digital Learning: Part 5

Patti Shank, PhD — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 19:00:44 +0000

This article will help you blend asynchronous and synchronous elements in your online courses. This is the final article in the series on using digital modalities and includes important insights on "how" to best combine them.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

(The Right) Learning Modalities To Deliver Digital Learning: Part 4

Patti Shank, PhD — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 19:00:59 +0000

In this article, I’m taking a deeper dive on what research tells us are the main benefits and barriers of synchronous elements. Research shows that it is critical that we optimize its benefits and reduce the potential barriers in order to obtain good outcomes.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

(The Right) Learning Modalities To Deliver Digital Learning: Part 3

Patti Shank, PhD — Tue, 12 May 2020 19:00:11 +0000

Research tells us that asynchronous and synchronous online learning elements serve different purposes. In this article, I’m going for a deeper dive into the use and selection of asynchronous elements, as many suggest that they should be the major part of most online courses.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

(The Right) Learning Modalities To Deliver Digital Learning: Part 2

Patti Shank, PhD — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 20:55:24 +0000

This article describes the importance of content and social interactions using asynchronous (self-paced) and synchronous (live learning) tools. It offers an evidence-informed analysis of the main benefits and limitations of asynchronous and synchronous eLearning for better blending.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

(The Right) Learning Modalities To Deliver Digital Learning: Part 1

Patti Shank, PhD — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 20:50:00 +0000

If you’re scrambling to get training online, you may be confused about your options. Evidence shows that you’ll likely need both asynchronous (self-paced) and synchronous (live) tools to support different instructional needs. I begin this series with a discussion of these tools and blending them.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Should We Offer Tutorials For Using Our eLearning? Probably Not

Patti Shank, PhD — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 21:59:56 +0000

Research shows that it’s not necessarily a good idea to add a how-to-use-this-course tutorial for our online courses as it can increase anxiety and cognitive load. The simpler and broader implications and what to do instead are discussed.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Minimizing Challenges Of Learning From Smaller Screens

Patti Shank, PhD — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 20:00:00 +0000

Research describes significant constraints for consuming content and performing tasks on a smaller screen, and we must be aware of them when designing mobile information and learning content. Fortunately, research also offers actionable and easy-to-implement tactics for making content on a smaller screen easier to use and understand.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

How To Design Better Multiple-Choice Questions

Patti Shank, PhD — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 14:00:00 +0000

Good multiple-choice questions are difficult to write. But writing good multiple-choice questions isn’t optional. Poorly written multiple-choice questions can compromise assessment data, confuse participants, and cause organizational and legal problems. In this article, I discuss some truly critical aspects of writing good multiple-choice questions so that you can start making your questions better right away.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Challenges And Benefits Of Delivering Content On Smaller Screens

Patti Shank, PhD — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 20:00:04 +0000

Those who design mobile learning must understand the typical constraints for consuming content and performing tasks on a smaller screen, including screen size, interruptions, connectivity loss, split attention, higher interaction cost, and increased cognitive load. Despite these constraints, many of which you can reduce with good design, there are also major benefits. These benefits, however, are likely not to be what most organizations are currently doing or planning on doing.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

No, We Cannot Look Everything Up

Patti Shank, PhD — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 19:00:23 +0000

Search can help us find information, but we must know what to look up and how to interpret and use it. Existing knowledge helps us know what to look up. Existing knowledge helps us know if what we find is relevant. It helps us understand what the information means. And so on.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Do THIS, Not THAT When Writing Multiple-Choice Questions

Patti Shank, PhD — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 15:00:16 +0000

Recently, on Twitter, someone argued that the only way to assess what people have learned/can do is through actual performance. But that’s not practical or even possible in many cases.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Non-Conscious Aspects Of Learning And Performance

Patti Shank, PhD — Thu, 23 May 2019 17:00:41 +0000

In a former life, I worked as a health educator. I still love building this type of instruction. But here’s the thing. Changing people’s health behavior is very difficult, which shouldn’t be a surprise to people who develop workplace instruction. Work behavior is hard to change, just like health behavior. This article will explain an important reason why changing thinking and behavior is so difficult.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Does Video Improve Engagement and Learning?

Patti Shank, PhD — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 20:00:56 +0000

We need to be skeptical about wild claims about video improving engagement and learning, as much of the hype comes from an assumption.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

What Research Tells Us About Chunking Content

Patti Shank, PhD — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 14:00:00 +0000

Content that is not chunked is hard to understand or retain. But is chunking simply breaking up text into smaller pieces?

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Building A Foundation That Supports Learning And Performance

Patti Shank, PhD — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 20:30:31 +0000

What do people need to know to select the right health plan for their family? The answer to this question has important implications for understanding how what we already know (prior knowledge) affects learning and performance outcomes.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Does Time Matter For Learning? It Does.

Patti Shank, PhD — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 20:00:00 +0000

Exploring why valuable training outcomes may take more time than simple content.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

How Well Do We Learn From Experiential Or Inquiry Learning Approaches?

Patti Shank, PhD — Wed, 16 May 2018 19:00:44 +0000

Do workers learn best from experiences such as case studies, simulations, or scenarios? Or do they learn best from presentation of content with practice activities? What is the best way to teach people to handle workplace hazardous materials incidents, for instruction?

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Should Learning Participants Be In Control? What The Research Says

Patti Shank, PhD — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 13:00:26 +0000

In this article, I’ll address a central issue around helping people select their own path to learn: Learner control.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.

Microlearning, Macrolearning. What Does Research Tell Us?

Patti Shank, PhD — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 20:00:26 +0000

In this article, I'll compare what people say are the benefits of microlearning against what we know from research. Also, I’ll discuss how workplace learning might benefit from micro and macro approaches.

This post was first published on eLearning Industry.