The Articulate Rise web-based authoring tool has been a boon to course creators looking to build interactive, mobile-friendly online courses without deep technical skills.

Rise already does so many things well—from allowing for responsive design to incorporating interactive content blocks—but there are clear opportunities to improve accessibility, flexibility, and engagement. We’ve taken Rise to the next level by creating an add-on that lets users listen to the content immersively as they engage with media and interactive content, while allowing course managers to easily update content on an ongoing basis.

Trust us, it’s cool. Get a feel for Rise & Shine.

Let’s explore what Shine is and how it can provide a better user experience for your learners.

Shine makes every Rise course more engaging and accessible

No question, Rise is a great tool for course creators, but there are a number of out-of-the-box constraints for learners. The model of Rise courses is a slide-show style standard that’s augmented by an overreliance on animation that isn’t as immersive, flexible, or comfortable for every learner as it should be.

To address this, we created an immersive read-along narration that works with all standard Rise elements across a course. Easy to setup and seamless to update, courses become more immersive, flexible, and accessible for every learner.

Here’s how it works.

Automatic integration into existing content

Shine automatically syncs its narration—not only with text-based content, but with interactive Rise blocks too—as learners are guided through the course. This includes headings, quotes, images, lists, and more. The add-on requires no additional technical set-up—making enhancing existing courses quick and simple, and easy to update if you need to make any changes to course content.

Customization options

Learners have different preferences as to how they engage with course content. Shine empowers every learner to choose the path that best suits them. Each learner can control and adjust the speed of spoken content, while automatically scrolling through the text to create an immersive, hands-free learner experience.

You get to choose from multiple voices to match the tone of the course and adjust settings for more accessible text sizes, voice integration, and animations.

Enhanced interactivity

Shine makes spoken playback more engaging by automatically incorporating visual elements like tabs, accordions, and flash cards provided by standard Rise blocks.

Learners can also follow the narrated content while simultaneously interacting with multimedia elements, such as videos, quizzes, and clickable scenarios.

And audio prompts remind learners when their input is needed for assessments or other types of engagements, ensuring everyone gets to experience the full, expanded, and immersive learning experience of Rise & Shine.

Try out the latest demo at https://shine.sayyeah.courses

Compatibility

Shine is compatible across all devices and platforms. Whether learners access a course on a desktop, tablet, or mobile device, the narration will function smoothly, providing a consistent and seamless learning experience. Simply put: Shine works where Rise works, augmenting your Rise courses wherever they’re accessed.

Let’s highlight Shine’s benefits for learners

Improved accessibility

Shine makes Rise courses even more accessible by allowing learners with visual impairments, reading difficulties, or other specific learning needs more options for how they access and engage with the course content.

Increased engagement

Shine not only adds greater interactivity to courses, it also creates a multi-sensory experience that can help clarify complex ideas and reinforce key points.

A more flexible learning experience

Shine makes it easy for learners to access their online courses on any device, whether at home, work, class, or on a commute, while tailoring the learning experience to their preferences.

How does Rise & Shine work?

Unlocking these benefits couldn’t be easier.

You simply take your Rise course package, drop it into Shine, choose a voice, and let the magic happen. You then take your Shined Rise package, publish it as you usually do, and you’re done!

Need to make changes?

No trouble! Update your course content in Rise and drop the latest version back into Shine. Shine will automatically update all the audio based on the latest course content and you’ll get your latest Shined Rise package back.

Shine for Rise courses is available now!

Get in touch today to get started or for a personalized Shine demo.

Get in touch for a custom demo

See Shine in action

The post Introducing Rise & Shine, an automated and immersive voice add-on for Rise courses appeared first on Say Yeah!.

The annual TechLearn 2023 Conference presents an excellent opportunity for learning and development professionals to unpack workplace performance strategies that capitalize on the latest learning research and technologies.

Working at the intersection of tech + education to build effective and engaging online courses, we appreciate conversations that explore how these elements combine to produce accessible training programs that impact organizational growth.

What you can expect at the TechLearn 2023 Conference

Starting September 19, the three-day conference will highlight topics like AI, design, implementation, evaluation, assessment, eLearning, adaptive learning, virtual classrooms, VR, and more. Beyond networking opportunities and engaging sessions, the conference also promises: 

• 3 exciting New Orleans tourist adventures,
• 4 pre-conference certificate programs, and 
• 56 breakout sessions. 

Catch these exciting sessions:

• Opportunities and Limitations of AI in the Workplace with Dr. Vivienne Ming
• Design With, Not For with Ann Yoachim
• The Seeds of Virtual Training: Growing Attendee Engagement Online with John Chen
• Hybrid Flexible Learning: What, Why, and How This Impacts Business with Liana Griffin
• How to Prepare Your Company for New Technologies with Debbie Richards

Check out the full conference schedule here.

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The post Training Magazine’s TechLearn 2023 Conference, September 19–21, 2023 appeared first on Say Yeah!.

However, recognizing the problem does not always mean the solution is obvious. In this article, we will explore a number of ways to build flexibility into eLearning programs. But first, let’s start by reiterating why flexibility is so important and what we really mean by rigid learning models.

One size does not fit all.

Many online courses suffer from the same problem: they follow a rigid structure that doesn’t fit the unique modes of learning, schedules, and circumstances of individual learners. 

 It doesn’t matter how interesting or innovative the subject matter of a course is if learners struggle to navigate the course platform or can’t recall what they’re supposed to have learned.

Participants of an online course will interact with the digital interface in different ways, especially those with specific learning needs such as disabilities and accessibility accommodations.  eLearning and training stakeholders have an obligation to deliver courses in ways that support their full engagement. It’s also becoming increasingly clear that when we build accessibility and flexibility into online learning programs we provide a better experience for everyone.

Learners want online courses, and organizations and educational institutions are increasingly providing them, but reports show a 20% drop in engagement when online courses are delivered using rigid learning models rather than in-person. This represents an opportunity—we can do better! 

The key is flexible online learning models.

Introducing flexibility into online learning models

Traditionally online courses have been taught either synchronously or asynchronously.

Synchronous delivery is when a course or training is delivered at a specific time and place, often guided by an educator. Commonly used by higher education institutions, a potential drawback is low attendance due to scheduling conflicts, illness, childcare, etc.

Asynchronous course delivery, on the other hand, allows learners to access course materials at their own pace, promoting flexibility and self-regulation. The challenge lies in the disconnect between the learner and the instructor. Without access to guidance, real-time answers, and instruction, learners may struggle to reap the benefits of their learning programs.

On their own, either of these online learning models can be a mismatch for a learner’s needs, priorities, and resources. So what other options are there?

The bi-modal learning model

Bi-modal learning gives learners choice and flexibility by offering multiple modes of course delivery and incorporating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in course design so learners can engage with the content and demonstrate their achievement of learning outcomes in multiple ways.

In her article “A Case for Bi-Modal Flexible Learning, Part 1,” Kerri Shields describes the bi-modal course delivery options as follows:

1. Synchronous online delivery with an asynchronous option for learning
2. Synchronous in-person delivery with an asynchronous option for learning

The advantage of the bi-modal learning model is it empowers student choice; they can change how they wish to study at any time without missing important course material. By incorporating multimedia resources, interactive content, and immersive technologies, bi-modal flexible learning also enhances engagement and understanding. Furthermore, it is not as demanding to implement for educators as some other options like HyFlex delivery. 

Ravinder Brar, Director, Education and Partnerships at Say Yeah, says a learner-centred approach is key to setting up learners for success.

“We all learn in a variety of ways, and the learning ecosystem should honour and support learner variability. This can be achieved by creating personalized learning that can be accessed in a variety of modes and ensuring content is available through accessible asynchronous modes.”

Filling the gaps with the variable learning model

Building on the bi-modal model, Say Yeah’s variable learning model puts learners first by combining technology and education best practices to support learners in their preferred mode of learning. We create online courses for asynchronous delivery that provide a wide variety of modalities and incorporate interactive elements usually only found in traditional learning environments. These include:

• communities of practice, which allow learners to ask questions and connect with educators/SMEs
• a digital resource toolkit to enable reference, application, evaluation, and analysis as course participants move from learning to their day-to-day and ongoing activities
• accommodations to deliver seamless navigation and access to the course for all learners across different devices, screen sizes, and interaction methods
• inclusive content design to shape language and provide multiple modes of engaging with content to boost learner understanding and engagement with course content

The variable learning model empowers learners to take ownership of their learning journey, enhances motivation, and promotes self-efficacy. Learners can engage in ways that align with their strengths, interests, and learning preferences. The variable learning model transforms education by allowing educators and trainers to reach all learners where they’re at, regardless of needs and circumstances. Flexibility is the future, and the future is now.

Transform your learning outcomes with flexible learning programs and watch learners thrive.

Contact us to discover how we can help you develop flexible and effective eLearning and training programs.

The post The need for flexible online learning models appeared first on Say Yeah!.

Starting on June 7, this two-day virtual conference will highlight how proven marketing practices might be leveraged by those in the learning and development industry.

As tech + education professionals who develop online learning programs, we particularly appreciate how the intersection of industries can produce valuable insights, tools, and best practices to take learning to the next level.

Catch these exciting talks!

• What Can L&D Learn from Marketing? with Lynne McNamee
• Cohort Learning Challenges: Meeting the Engagement Needs of Hybrid Workers with Adam Weisblatt
• How to Create Emotionally Engaging Learning Journeys with Mingming Jiang

Check out the full lineup and conference program

Save your seat

Tickets to the Learning & Marketing Online Conference start from $395 USD, with group and organizational discounts available.

Register today

Looking to improve your employee training program?

With our approach to building flexible, responsive, and accessible eLearning programs, we can help you to increase reach, drive engagement, and uncover new growth opportunities.

Get in touch

The post Learning & Marketing Online Conference June 7-8, 2023 appeared first on Say Yeah!.