Interactivity in E-Learning modules - the thin line

Many people have different views about online e learning modules. For many, they are very easy to understand and fun to learn. But for some, “Well I would prefer to read the book” is the best line. But then one thing is sure, slowly the online training and e learning modules are becoming
very popular.

And if we think deeper, then we will realize that it is another very good way to generating a lot of employment opportunity. But any ways that’s not what we are going to discuss here in this article.

What I feel is that there is a very thin line when it comes to make the e learning modules interactive. I mean how much interactive do you want you module to be. How much time do you want your user to read and how much time do you want your user to interact with your module. This is something which plays a very important role in making a good e learning module and an excellent e learning module.

Here are a few things which I will point out to come to a conclusion about the discussion:

Age group: agree or not, age group I think is one of the crucial factor to decide how much interactive you want your modules to be. For example, if you are making an e learning module for kids, then you might want to have a lot of interactive sessions with the kid where you can motivate them and judge their progress. But more serious topics like may be modules in medical colleges or companies will not require so much of interactivity.

Topic: Sure, you want to add animations of some process or something which is difficult or not possible in real life. For example how a drug interacts with your blood and how it works. But when you are making something for the kids – like a poem, or a physics lesion, then you will want to show a full demonstration of the same and that may mean a lot of animations and other jazzy things. So, the topic is very important.

Length: the length of the module will definitely matter a lot. Giving information is for sure THE MOST IMPORTANT thing. But we need to understand that the user may also have a mid set. And so we have to design it in such a way, that the user can be comfortable and go through the whole thing with same interest. Dividing the module in strategically broken parts is very important. Chapters and sessions are very common in such modules.

Medium: although this is a bit technical but then I am sure many of you will agree that, this is one big factor. Many of the modules are taken in to CDs or DVDs. If that is the case, then a lot of sound, heavy graphics, videos etc will not make much of a difference. But if your user will see the module online, then I am sure you will not want too heavy a module to run on the internet. The user may have a slow connection and may take a lot of time to open. And this way the whole flow of the module may get disrupted.

So, these are a few things which I feel are very important to know when designing an e learning module.

Microsoft X Box 360 controller for PC

The X Box 360 controller form Microsoft has a bi advantage over any other controller, may it be play station 3 controllers or any other one – and that is the fact that you can connect it to your computer also and play with it. The functionality remains almost same.

When I first got it, I was a bit worried as the shop keeper told me that it will work on computer. I mean how can a controller for a console work on a computer – that’s what I thought. But I took it under one condition from him that if it does not work then I will get it replaced and he agreed. Any ways, the installation of the controller is a child play. It’s a USB device so you just plug it in and let it automatically search for the drivers. Most of the time, it will detect it automatically and that way, you can see the controller on your control panel. Also, when done, the controller’s X Box logo at the center starts to glow to indicate that it is working. That’s about how you can install it. If you get any problem, then you can do a Google on “X Box 360 controller for PC” and you will get ample of information on it.

Now let’s talk about the controller. The first of the controller makes you feel special. The white colored controller looks very sturdy and has a good grip even if you sweat a lot. The buttons are very soft touch and sensitive which is something I will definitely expect from a controller which is also meant to run on consoles. The feed back which I got from it (although I am still looking for games with feedback as there are very ones.) is quite nice. I was playing Devil May Cry 4 and really enjoyed it on the controller. On keyboard controls it would have been very difficult to play.

The cable is quite long and that’s something which allows me to play the games form a nice and safe distance without stressing my eyes too much. The weight of the things just enough to make you feel that you are holding something. Also I must say that the built quality is very nice because I dropped it twice by mistake from a nice height – but nothing happened.

All in all I must say that for gamers it is a must buy. Third person shooters will give you real enjoyment with this. I will give it 8 out of 10. the only part where it may lack is the fact that the color is white and they could have also provided rubber grip at the holding places for better grip.