Modular and Non-linear learning
One of the key benefits of the Blue Mango Learning System (BMLS) is the learning model it supports. Studies have shown that the average attention span hovers somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes. The BMLS focuses on creating e-learning modules that take no more than 15 minutes. In fact most of our lessons take under 10 minutes.
Why do this? Because we believe that we should deliver information in a form that is most easily consumed. If a training course consists of three separate one-hour videos the user has to block out three separate one hour blocks. If they are interrupted halfway through they may have to start over. If we take that same 3 hours of content and divide it into twelve individual 15-minute segments, the user has much more flexibility in how they will consume that information. If they have an hour block they can go through four modules. If they have a 15 minute break at lunch they can review a single lesson.
Notice that our average lesson length is ending right about the time that the average person's attention fading. These short lessons allow users to take advantage of learning in small chunks while their minds are alert.
This type of system would be very difficult to implement with traditional media such as books or film because these are largely linear formats. The problem arises when a user starts to study a lesson for which they do not have the prerequisite knowledge. That is why books and films present information in a linear format. They need to make sure that they build the proper foundation to be able to teach more advanced concepts.
I am sure that many of you have used the index of a user manual. You jump to the section that talks about the feature you want to use but find that you can't understand the instructions given to you. There was probably something covered 10 pages earlier that you needed to review but didn't. You are now hopelessly lost and frustrated.
Computer based training doesn't have to follow this linear model. Despite this most computer based training systems are nothing more than a book or video in digital format. The underlying educational model has not been changed at all even though a new medium is being utilized. When we designed the Blue Mango Learning System we ignored what had been done with previous education modules and tried to focus on what would be the ideal education module. The most important feature we could think of was the ability to get background information on anything you were studying.
This largely came my study of history. I always hated when a history book would refer to some even that the author assumed any educated person should be aware of. Apparently, since I am uneducated, I would sometimes have no idea as to what they were talking about.
"Wouldn't it be great", I thought, "if you could just click on something to get more information." The author wouldn't have to change his writing and the 90% of people who know what he was talking about could just continue on. Bu the 10% who were dunces like myself could get the background information we needed.
We developed this idea into multimedia history project starting around 2001. Later we began looking at ultrasound education. The same principle applied. People were often confused while receiving training because they didn't have the background information they needed.
One of the most powerful features of the Blue Mango Learning System is the ability to reference any part of any other lesson. These lessons are spread throughout all lesson material. We try to develop lessons that allow a user to start at anyplace in the training and be able to dig down deep enough to get the information they need to complete the desired task.
Why not just include all of the information in the same lesson? It would quickly become unwieldy and useless. In short, it would become a user manual. People don't use user manuals. The modular design with references allows the user who already understands background information to breeze through the lesson material. But it allows the user who need more information instant access to those supporting lessons. In essence you have a system that adapts to the knowledge level of the user. This eliminates:
• boredom caused by information that is either not relevant or already understood
• frustration caused by feeling lost in the training material
They are many other benefits to a modular based learning system including:
1. Customization of learning material based on user need
2. Rapid updating of educational content
3. Multilevel education design (designing lessons that teach high level concepts and link to lower level step by step instructions)
I will discuss these in future posts.