Obsidian Blog
News and updates from our team of learning and technology professionals. Topics range from elearning tools and resources, to instructional design and the science of learning.
How To Transform Your Remote Workforce Into A Virtual Learning Community
Posted Sep 2, 2020 by Lubos Janoska
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person community building has hit a roadblock, and the future appears to be leading in the direction of increased virtual interaction. In this article, we’ll look at the process of creating a virtual learning community at your organization.
Why Virtual Learning Is More Than Just VILT: Myths And Truths
Posted Aug 21, 2020 by Shannon Hart
Virtual learning includes any form of learning that occurs with the assistance of computer technology. Although in this context we often think of virtual classrooms with a live instructor teaching somewhere at a distance, virtual learning is much more than that. It is synonymous with eLearning.
The New Normal
Posted Apr 13, 2020 by Monica Savage
The Coronavirus crisis is not even close to be over. If and when businesses will get “back to normal”, it will to a “new normal” many of us have not expected. Here are the top five things we will be focusing on.
Communicating During Crisis
Posted Apr 8, 2020 by Monica Savage
In this time of global crisis, communication is more important than ever. Crisis communication should be part of all emergency preparedness and business continuity plans. Here, we are sharing a few tips your organization can use.
Stay Home, Work Safe - COVID-19 Houston, Week 1
Posted Apr 7, 2020 by Monica Savage
'Stay Home. Work Safe' order has been issued for Houston area. At the end of the first week, we are checking in and sharing a bit of our experience.
Measuring the Impact of Video Learning on Your Corporate Training ROI
Posted Mar 31, 2020 by Amanda Costa
Return on investment, applied to learning, can be a tricky concept. Theoretically, we know how to do it, but all too often, we just…don’t. Which is really too bad, because how can you know if the learning deliverables you’re creating are effective, if there’s no system in place for measurement?
Family and household management
Posted Mar 26, 2020 by Adam Lowry
As part of our series of blogs on working from home, Obsidian Learning employees are sharing their personal experiences to provide insight on the challenges they are facing and how they are addressing them. Program Manager Adam Lowry, father to two small children, gives us a window into how he and his wife are managing to balance family and work commitments.
Working from Home: Obsidian Learning’s Guide to Thrive
Posted Mar 25, 2020 by Amanda Costa
In an effort to comply with CDC and WHO recommendations regarding social distancing and, more recently, local authorities’ stay at home orders, all Obsidian Learning employees are currently working from home, and we thought it might be useful to share our experience in this domain with those of you facing this as a new reality.
Essential Criteria for Choosing the Right Video-Based Learning Model
Posted Mar 24, 2020 by Monica Savage
Video-based learning is a powerful learning tool. The medium is endowed with unique features that make it an effective learning method, able to enhance traditional instructor-led learning approaches and change the way we learn and the way we teach.
7 Dos and Don’ts to Design and Deliver Successful Video-Based Learning
Posted Mar 17, 2020 by Tom Stell
In Steven Presfield’s classic on writing Do the Work he recommends you put a post-it note on your computer that reads “What’s the theme?”. As we look to create compelling training videos, what would you put on your trusty laptop to keep you on track and heading for success?
Schools Face Rapid Transition to Virtual Learning, But There is Help Experts Say. A Press Release.
Posted Mar 15, 2020 by Monica Savage
More than 150 K-12 schools in the Houston Metro area are shuttered because of worries about spreading the coronavirus, affecting at least a million students, most of whom will be asked to shift to online learning.
6 Tips for Helping Learners Stay Engaged Remotely
Posted Mar 14, 2020 by Shannon Hart
Whether you are an educator in a school, an office worker, or a keynote speaker at next month’s conference, you are likely currently feeling the pressure of shifting to working remotely. How will you have the same impact teaching/learning/working from a distance?
5 Vital Steps to Create Appealing Corporate Training Videos
Posted Mar 10, 2020 by Timothy Spencer
When creating corporate training videos, sparking real interest instead of the usual jaw-breaking yawns is a challenge. In this chapter we’re going to provide you with some general tips for drawing your learners in and getting them not only to pay attention to your corporate training videos…but to want to pay attention.
5 Integral Elements of Emotionally and Socially Engaging Learning Videos
Posted Mar 3, 2020 by Timothy Spencer
Video can be an extremely efficient and impactful tool to convey important messages and learn new skills. Not all videos are created equally, however. If you’re looking for videos that engage employees both emotionally and socially, you need to put in place the right strategies to provoke the specific reaction, behavior change, or skill acquisition/enhancement.
4 Applications of Corporate Training Videos That Can Transform Your Workforce
Posted Feb 25, 2020 by Lubos Janoska
At Obsidian Learning we’ve created hundreds of animations, instructional videos, infomercials, explainer videos, and eClips. Based on our experience, here are four specific examples of applications of corporate training videos that led to workforce transformation.
3 Key Benefits of Video-Based Learning You Should Not Ignore
Posted Feb 18, 2020 by Shannon Hart
Video-based learning is an important tool in the learning arsenal. Whether as part of an instructor-led offering, embedded in an online course, or as a stand-alone learning asset, videos can be leveraged in many ways and with great impact.
How Video-Based Learning Impacts the Future of Corporate Training
Posted Feb 13, 2020 by Shelly Immel
Outside the firewall, the future of video-based learning is already here. How will the future arrive in your company? Here’s what you need to know to chart a successful path forward with video-based learning.
4 Secrets No One Will Tell You When Choosing Your Microlearning Platform
Posted Dec 31, 2019 by Shelly Immel
When trying to determine what’s most important and where to start, you might look first at your microlearning platform. These four secrets can shed light on your best path forward.
4 Essential Employee Satisfaction KPIs To Evaluate Your Microlearning Strategy
Posted Dec 24, 2019 by Monica Savage
Using KPIs to measure the success of learning programs means continually evaluating job goals, employee performance, and the organization overall.
5 Ways Microlearning Can Boost Your Corporate Training ROI
Posted Dec 17, 2019 by Amanda Costa
In lean times, corporate training is often the first area where budgets are trimmed. Organizations cut down on travel, lodging, and per diem costs, and often put the brakes on developing new training.
8 Benefits of Creating Microlearning Videos Based on Social Learning Elements
Posted Dec 10, 2019 by Shannon Hart
Social learning is powerful. We learn by watching others. Short learning videos, known as microlearning videos, can be a great addition to your blended learning solutions, especially when they have social learning elements.
How to Adapt Your Microcontent to Your Employees’ Social Needs
Posted Dec 3, 2019 by Shannon Hart
We intentionally address social needs in the hopes of fostering employee loyalty, increasing productivity, reducing turnover, and even increasing innovation.
5 Vital Elements of Engaging Microcontent
Posted Nov 26, 2019 by Shelly Immel
Microcontent has been lauded as a quick cure-all, and its potential is indeed vast. But like any other training, there’s good microcontent and then there’s the rest.
5 Ways Microlearning Increases Employee Satisfaction And Knowledge Retention
Posted Nov 19, 2019 by Lubos Janoska
At Obsidian Learning, we completely reject this model. The learning experiences we strive to create for our clients include couple of simple, non-negotiable criteria.
What is Microlearning and How Does it Drive Employee Engagement?
Posted Nov 11, 2019 by Lubos Janoska
Though most contemporary microlearnings are in digital form, there is more than enough evidence from our experience that microlearnings come in all different shapes and small sizes.
8 Responsive Design Techniques to Optimize Mobile Learning
Posted Jun 25, 2019 by Timothy Spencer
It’s time to build a web tool for your online training. Before you get started, here are 8 tips to maximize the effectiveness of your design and to help steer you away from some of the less obvious pitfalls when working in a world full of myriad devices.
5 Tips to Master the Art of Learning on the Go in Your Organization
Posted Jun 20, 2019 by Shelly Immel
Mobile learning can be quick to produce, or it can be a time suck to create, deploy, and support. Here are five tips to put you on the path to mastering the art of learning on the go.
5 Effective Ways Micro Content Can Boost your Mobile Learning Strategy
Posted Jun 18, 2019 by Shannon Hart
Perhaps your organization is using mobile learning as part of your learning strategy. Mobile learning is well-suited for micro content – that content intended to be consumed in short, concise nuggets of information. Read on to learn about 5 great applications for micro content in your mobile learning strategy.
4 Mobile Learning Challenges for L&D Managers to Consider
Posted Jun 13, 2019 by Amanda Costa
Mobile learning is high on the list of latest and greatest strategies that learning developers are including in their blended learning mix. The focus up to now has been on ease of access (everyone has a phone!), just in time learning, and reinforcement of previous training.
7 Mobile Learning Facts L&D Managers Should Know
Posted Jun 4, 2019 by Monica Savage
Clearly, mobile technology is making a significant impact in our world. Does this automatically translate into employees being ready to learn on their phones? Not really. Before making that leap there are some things you need to find out.
7 Essentials of a Successful Mobile Learning Strategy
Posted May 29, 2019 by Shelly Immel
Broadly defined, mobile learning can happen anywhere, anytime, on any mobile device. To deploy mobile learning successfully, you’ll need to make that broad definition very specific to your organization and users. Here are seven essentials to create a successful mobile learning strategy.