Michael Allen's Guide to E-Learning: Building Interactive, Fun, and Effective Learning Programs for Any Company

by Michael W. Allen

As an international speaker and consultant to virtually every business sector over his more than thirty-five years of research and development in technology-based instruction, Michael Allen now speaks out about his frustrations with e-learning and brings fundamental issues to light. He shares specific, commonsense guidelines that reliably produce effective and practical learning solutions. From his pioneering work on learning management systems, to authoring systems, and now on instructional design, experts and buyers alike follow his leadership and respect his opinion:

"Every subject area has its bible. This is it for e-learning. This is the how-to book for both instructional designers and executives responsible for corporate e-learning programs. Especially well done and unique to this book are the chapters on learner motivation and how effective instructional interactivities are created. The bottom line, from our experience working with Michael Allen and his team, is the methods and principles defined in this book work–and work well."
–Mike Groszko, Manager, DaimlerChrysler Quality Institute

"Michael Allen has done it all. He has designed and developed huge amounts of effective e-learning. He has built several very successful businesses providing programs to sophisticated clients. He has managed development. He personally led the creation of Authorware, the benchmark authoring system used throughout the world. He has lectured. He has written. He has taught. His opinions and perspective are sought by many. But mostly, he thinks. And the results of that thinking are to the benefit of us all. I am glad he wrote down what he thinks."
– Gloria Gery, Gery Associates

Genres: Nonfiction, Teaching, Education, Professional Development

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 2, 2003

Reviews

[Dianne Volek · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a guide on how to build corporate e-learning programs, this is a very practical foundation.

As someone who specialises in marketing communications, I found it intuitive that it focuses on the audience - the learner. Begins with learners want and need, link that to mutual company goals, and then tailor your e-learning content accordingly. There are hands-on tips on how to analyze needs, develop learning objectives.

Designing content that's engaging and interactive these days is all about multimedia. He gives suggestions for audio, video, graphics, and animations and also how to use simulations and gaming. I personally find that in real life, the problem with these is less about knowing what's right, but finding platforms that allow a user-friendly experience.

This is a good read for anyone involved in designing or delivering e-learning programs. It's organized well, easy to read, and full of advice and examples you can actually use.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, not great and a bit dated. I read this at the request of a client.

The style is closer to that of a textbook and does provide solid examples of the concepts in practice.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great input for the basis of creating meaningful, memorable, and motivational learning experiences.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great introduction to elearning when I first read it. The style of writing is very easy to follow and there are numerous practical examples. Michael Allen's more recent material would be better due to the changes in the field.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in conjunction with the companion class offered by ATD. It's a good resource and I look forward to putting it into practice. It does read like a textbook, which is somewhat appropriate but I would think a book about learning might attempt to keep my attention a little better.

[Jay Sprout · Rating 5 out of 5]

The good books on eLearning and Instructional Design would leave extra fingers on a single hand. This book one of the good--nay, great--ones.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an instructional designer, I appreciate this as a reference and to get ideas. I know some of it may be out of date (due to technology), the basics are still good.