Lesson 6
Charleen Worsham

"How to Keep E-Learners from E-scaping"
ELITE (eLearning Incites Teaching Excellence) Think Tank - White Paper #1
Lead Author: Jim Moshinskie, PhD, Professor, Baylor University.

Our institution has faced many of the same problems that others are experiencing with courses delivered via technology: a high attrition rate. In my research course last semester, I developed a research proposal that expanded on some of the current research regarding retention and locus of control. This paper was interesting to me since it added to my previous literature review about this problem and some the causes as well as solutions regarding it. It also meshes with the principles of instructional design that are an important part of our learning for the Ed Tech degree and how to employ motivational techniques that complement the learner's active or passive attitude (internal or external locus of control). In a nutshell, the paper gives advice about what can be done before, during and after learning:

Before:
Know the intended learners and their goals (sound familiar??); know the work environment; match learner values and motives; prepare the work environment; apply push and pull strategies; include non-instructional strategies and provide a learning portal.

During:
Create a conducive environment; chunk the information; build on the familiar; vary the stimulus; give legitimate feedback; provide the human touch; provide a social context; build opportunities for fun; make it timely; stimulate curiosity.

After:
Celebrate successful completion of the training; provide support when the learner returns to the workplace; reinforce the learning; view e-learning as a process, not an event; measure motivation to transfer; investigate the metacognitive strategies used by your learners.

A good read! I am not sure whether or not you can acquire this article on line (I picked it up at a conference). You could perhaps email James_Moshinskie@baylor.edu