THE COST OF E-LEARNING INTERACTIVITY

THE COST OF E-LEARNING INTERACTIVITY

A reader asks: Does anyone have information about how to break down the cost of e-learning by level of interaction? In addition, "Is there any evidence that higher-interactivity-level courses are worth the cost?"

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We ran responses to this query in a previous issue (April 20, 2006). Here are more:

Higher intaractivity levels do not imply more or better learning, says Sanjaykumar Jain (sanjay_jain@sify.com). But "yes, higher interactivity-level-learning does cost more to produce." Keep in mind that some subjects require less interactivity, Jain notes, and introduction of interactivity can cause student distraction in these courses.

His advice? "Examine the need for interativity -- some of it may never (or rarely) be used by students." Jain is a program coordinator at YCM Open Umiversity in Nashik, Maharashtra, India.

MORE INTERACTIVITY = BETTER KNOWLEDGE? The more interactivity, the higher the transfer of knowledge, says Paula Sauvé (paula@xstreamsoftware.com). In the end, however, "only the learner can decide whether the resulting knowledge transfer suits his/her requirement. Furthermore, what one learner may find effective is not necessarily effective to another learner.

Therefore, designing/conducting formative evaluations is essential in order to measure your success." Sauvé is manager of training and instructional design at XStream Software Inc. in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.