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?" www.vnulearning.com

We ran responses to this query in previous issues (April 20 and May 18, 2006). Here's one more:"I was intrigued by this comment in the April 20th edition of TDF e-Net," says Henry Stewart (henry@happy.co.uk): A Level I course, for example, might be classified as one that contains an interactive object (e.g., video, animation, or a quiz). "I'd say some folks have different definitions of 'interactive,'" says Stewart.

"Interactive surely means where the learner is actively engaged in interacting with the e-learning, not just pressing a button to make something happen. A quiz creates that sort of interaction. Video, however, is just about the least interactive media around. You press 'Play' and sit and watch -- similarly with animation." "Many people seem to define 'interaction' as 'something different and interesting that happens on screen.' Nope, I don't think so." "Comments are welcome. Are we unusual in relating interactivity to the active involvement of the learner?" Stewart is chief executive of Happy Computers, an IT training company in London, England, U.K.

Source: learning Inside - VNU