Neil Lasher publishes new instructional design model

Neil Lasher, managing director of Trainer1 - one of the UK’s leading independent e-learning consultancy and development specialists – has published ‘The four ‘A’s of Learning’, a new model of instructional design (ID). In this model, Lasher has encapsulated the lessons of 20 years of designing e-learning and related materials to produce a model for ID specifically relating to task-based and workflow e-learning.

Lasher commented: "In 2005, Birskin reported that the biggest priority for learning was to align with business strategy. To reach this goal, a shift is required in the approach we take to ‘train’ staff.

"This shift involves predicting learners’ needs, selecting the most useful content and delivering this as informal and workflow learning," he continued. "Yet, until now, a valid ID model for informal and workflow e-learning did not exist."

Lasher’s Learning Model comprises four key areas.

• Attraction: to draw the user in, engage them and leave them satisfied. It also ensures the user will want to use this learning intervention instead of another.
• Attention: Previous models have focused on how to get the user’s attention. This model shifts the focus to the content.
• Availability: ensures the content is up-to-date and always retrievable. As Albert Einstein once said: "It’s not what you know, but knowing where to find it."
• Application: drives the motivation to use the new information. The most important stage of the learning intervention design is to entice the user to apply what they have gained in knowledge to a real life situation.

Based on this model, Lasher is running a two-day course – at venues in the UK and the USA - called 'More than Instructional Design'. For dates and times of these courses, visit www.trainer1.com/trainer1_training_instructional_design_course.html or contact Trainer1 on 00 44 (0) 20 7264 4844.

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Notes for Editors:

About ‘More than Instructional Design’

Led by Neil Lasher, this is a two day course in instructional design (ID) with a difference.

Course Outline:
Objectives
- Learn the basic principles of Adult Learning Theory for E-Learning.
- Understand ‘Best Practices’ for e-course design and methodology.
- Plan course content and media.
- Understand the differences in design theory between class based and computer based learning.
- Understand the resource requirement of e-learning creation.
- Gain a hands-on introduction to ID for e-learning.

Day 1
09.30 – 11.00 Understanding the e-learner and what they understand
11.15 – 12.15 What is the ‘e’ in learning and where can it be best deployed
12.15 – 12.45 How not to create a failure (what turns the user off): learn by others’ mistakes
13.00 – 14.30 Creating the blend that is acceptable
14.45 – 16.45 The psychology of e-learning versus the classroom (layout and design considerations to learn from)

Day 2
09.30 – 10.30 What the trainer needs to know
10.30 – 11.15 Who is the developer and what he is expected to do in the project
11.30 – 13.00 Content, gimmicks, humour and games
14.00 – 16.30 Run a workshop with a pseudo course designed to explore instructional design versus layout design

About Trainer1

Trainer1 is one of the UK’s leading independent e-learning specialists, creating sophisticated courseware for learning. It works in a number of areas including:
• Creating custom-built e-learning solutions
• Supplying e-learning consultancy to make clients self-sufficient in servicing their e-learning needs – especially in terms of embedded and workflow learning
• Operating as a ‘tools warehouse’ for tools used by Trainer1’s clients

It has lengthy experience in computer delivered learning. In particular, Trainer1 develops, supplies and supports:
• Authoring tools - for the creation of content, meeting SCORM, AICC, LRN, XML, and QTI standards.
• Learning and Knowledge Management tools - for the management and distribution of content, including accreditation and reporting of data within existing databases.
• Delivery systems for workflow learning - CSL™.
• Tools and libraries to create multimedia content, including image editors, easy to use Flash production tools, libraries of sound, graphics and animation.
• Specialised training events to assist trainers become self sufficient in e-learning design and production.
• Development services in the creation and maintenance of learning content.

Trainer1’s client list includes international major corporations such as ABN AMRO, Kraft Foods, Deutsche Post (DHL) and Mitsubishi Corporation, along with clients including the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the UK, the Department for International Development, and the UK’s Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability, along with many municipal authorities.

Trainer1 is privately owned and remains a small, friendly company providing high quality product combined with personal service to Blue Chip Companies, as well as small and medium sized enterprises. Trainer1 is a member of many e-learning organisations, and Neil Lasher, Trainer1’s managing director is a committee member of the ELN and President (in 2006) of the Global Network of ASTD UK. He also works with standards bodies to ensure technology is meeting the needs of users worldwide, as well as the guidelines determined by the governing groups in the e-learning industry.

Further information from:
Neil Lasher, Trainer1, 020 7264 4844
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 01727 860405

www.trainer1.com