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The eLearning Coach Newsletter

Are you using strategies to reduce cognitive load?

Published 18 days ago • 2 min read

The eLearning Coach Newsletter

For Learning Professionals

Greetings Reader,

Wherever you are, I hope you're enjoying the season. I've been fitting in some gardening, hiking, and learning French. Ahhhh, summer. But sometimes, we need to think about instructional design. And that's what I'm here for.

First, I'd like to tell you about an important and under-discussed topic: Quality Management. In my latest podcast episode, Hadiya Nuriddin explains the benefits of setting up a quality management program and how it can get you more respect! She also notes that quality management is a standard practice for designers and developers in other industries. Her book, Quality Management in Learning and Development, will be out on June 25th.

Next, there are many ways to improve learning by reducing the overwhelm of high cognitive load. Here are six strategies you can use.

And last, do you need help working with your subject matter expert? Perhaps they are always busy or assume you understand when you don't. I review four books that provide tips, techniques, and advice on SME relationships.

​Quality Management: It's More Than Missing Commas​

Do you have a process to ensure your learning products are consistently high-quality? If not, listen to what Hadiya Nuriddin has to say about building a flexible quality management program customized for your organization’s needs. Transcript available.

​Six Strategies You May Not Be Using to Reduce Cognitive Load​
Extraneous cognitive load is controlled by the learning designer. Here are ways to reduce extraneous cognitive load.

​Books to Help You Work with Subject Matter Experts​
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are valuable partners for instructional designers, but they also present some problems. Learn how to overcome the obstacles.
​

Now on to the goodies below.

GOOD FINDS

FEED YOUR MINDReadings to expand your perspective on learning, technology, and design:

MULTIMEDIA

  • ​Iconbuddy: Crazy you can get over 200,000 icons for download or to copy
  • ​Little Visuals: Free high-res images
  • ​Dupe: More free photos
  • ​Amara: Use to add subtitles to your videos online. There's a free plan.

COOL TOOLS

  • ​Iconbuddy Converter: Convert SVG files to PNG format
  • ​Color System: Helps you create accessible and pleasing color palettes
  • ​Harpa AI: Multi-talented chrome extension that summarizes, mimics your writing style, language wizard, midjourney assistant and more. Start free.
  • ​Record.Reverb: Too many emails to write? With this tool you can record emails. Limited free plan.

MY COMMUNITY AND COURSES

​MASTERING INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN​

Since 2019, I've been helping the smart and friendly members of this community grow and expand their instructional design skills through self-paced courses, monthly speakers with industry leaders, member calls, and a discussion forum. All courses are open to all members.

​BREAKING INTO INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN​

My free 12-lesson email course about transitioning to a career in instructional design. The course explains the variety of instructional design careers, tasks of the profession, places to network, salary ranges and more. You'll get two email lessons a week for six weeks. Or receive all lessons at once by purchasing the eBook.

Would a colleague like this newsletter? They can sign up here: The eLearning Coach Newsletter. See you on Twitter @elearningcoach and at Instructional Design Newbies on Facebook!

Stay inspired,
Connie Malamed

PO Box 1623, Frederick, MD 21702
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The eLearning Coach Newsletter

Connie Malamed

Learn and build instructional design skills every month. Join over 15,000 learning professionals who enjoy articles on learning design, visual design, cognitive psychology, and more. Subscribe for practical guidance, resources, and freebies.

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