Steven Heffner is the Managing Director, Publications, for IEEE, where he oversees the Institute’s portfolio of scholarly journals, books, and magazines, including the award-winning IEEE Spectrum. Before joining IEEE in 2020, Steven was Vice President of Product Strategy at Wolters Kluwer Health, with responsibility …
Balasubbhramaniyam hosts the host of this podcast Scott Hanson. They discuss the name, why this podcast, who all will be joining in as guests, and what are the topics going to be discussed. This is a short intro podcast so make sure you tune in. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In the digital publishing domain, alt text continues to be one of the most misunderstood pieces. Many times, it is not up to the mark that most publishers would expect. Whether it’s a map, diagram, graph, or image, writing an alt text can be tricky. Hence, in this blog post, we cover the basics of alt text, why it is crucial for publishers, and tips for writing a meaningful text to increase the accessibility of digital publications. Also Read: 7 Best Digital Publishing Platforms for Your Business[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What is alt text?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1628868079354{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Alt text (short for alternative text) is a description of an image, infographic, flowchart, diagrams, and other visual elements. It displays information about the image, helping readers understand the visual element’s value and intent. This text also appears when an image cannot be viewed properly for any of the following reasons: Slow connection Visually impaired readers Search engines need content for indexing [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Importance of alt text for publishers” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1628868165510{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]As a digital content publisher, you want to reach a wider audience. Whether you’re publishing educational content, marketing content, news content, or something else, this fact stands true. And this is where the role of alternative text comes into play. It’s an indispensable tool that makes your digital content more comprehensible and accessible to readers worldwide, including those with visual impairments. They can understand the information displayed in charts, photos, and other visuals just like other people. Moreover, including alt text for your visuals helps you improve SEO. Surprisingly, most forms of content, including newsletters, emails, social media, and websites, do not have alternative text for the visuals. Even if they do, they are not very useful. Therefore, we have gathered a few tips for writing the perfect alt text for all your images in the upcoming sections. But first, you must know when you should not use alternative text.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”When not to add an alt text?” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1628868258527{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]You need not include alt text to every image in your content. Follow this thumb rule every time before you start adding text to each of your visuals. Ask yourself this – “Does this offer any value to the reader?” If the answer is negative, avoid writing the alt text at all. So, what could be the possible instances where alternative text is not needed? Here are few examples: Caption sufficiently describes it Image is decorative and doesn’t really have a purpose The surrounding text is enough to describe it Also Read: Accessibility and the Need for Closed Captioning in Educational Videos[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Tips for adding alt text” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1628868335070{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]1. Write meaningful alt text Now that you’re familiar with certain dos and don’ts of writing alt text, it’s time to talk about how you can make it meaningful. When we say “meaningful,” we’re really talking about making it useful for the users. This means that your alternative text should convey the purpose of a visual and why it matters. In other words, it should enhance the reader’s understanding of the content. But who writes such meaningful text? Who is the go-to person for creating alt text? The answer varies. For STM or scholarly publications, it’s recommended that authors themselves write the image descriptions since they truly know the purpose of including that image or visual. On the other hand, an editor should be the go-to individual for writing image descriptions in the case of trade books. For example, if you’re working in education content publishing, a person managing the course program would be the right person for writing alt text. Moreover, you can include an expert in your team who understands the needs of visually impaired people. 2. Use targeted keywords As mentioned before, alt text is important for publishers for another reason – SEO. Hence, if you’re publishing digital content such as blog posts, you must include your targeted keywords in the image description. This informs search engines like Google that your content is relevant for a specific search query. But you should not prioritize keywords over the value. If it doesn’t make sense to include keywords for a particular alternative text, you should ideally refrain from it. While including keywords, make sure it provides some context to the reader and doesn’t look stuffed. If the keywords appear stuffed, don’t include them for the sake of the algorithm. Google’s algorithm is continuously evolving, and with each update, it comes closer to prioritizing value offered to users. Write for users, not for the algorithm, and the latter would follow. 3. Don’t duplicate the caption The alt text is not a replacement for image captions. The former is meant to add value and not just repeat what’s written in the caption. Duplicating the caption confuses the reader and doesn’t do anything for them or the search engines. The alternative text and caption should together offer a complete description of the visual. Writing a unique alt text keeps the flow of the content intact. 4. Prefer shorter alt text The alt text aims to relay the key information provided in an image. It should ideally supplement the information given. Hence, writing a short description should serve the purpose. Writing lengthy alternative text not only defeats that purpose but can also be distracting for the readers. You should preferably opt for a short phrase or single-word alt text. This strategy will work wonders for your digital content’s overall accessibility.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”The bottom line” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1628869047294{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]As a publisher, you want to prioritize the accessibility of your content, and alt text is a powerful tactic to achieve that. You have to invest considerable time and effort to write meaningful alternative text for
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Author: Terri Van Sickle[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Rather than being passive receivers of information, engaged learners become analytical thinkers, collaborative creators, clear communicators, and agile problem solvers – all of which are sought-after workplace skills. To keep students engaged and to foster collaboration, course designers can build active learning and interaction into online courses to promote transformative learning experiences. This blog will help you understand the difference between engaged learning, collaborative learning and transformative learning.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What is Engaged Learning?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1626414161461{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Info-Sci Dictionary offers a comprehensive definition of engaged learning for adults (emphasis added): An active process in which knowledge and understanding are acquired through participation, inquiry, involvement and direct experience. Focuses on relationships between students’ involvement and empirically-based university conditions that positively impact and influence students’ commitment to participate. Sustained interactions that involve exchange of ideas and information among learners in which they progressively become intrinsically motivated to deepen the interactions accompanied by in-depth thoughts, critical analysis, and purposeful discourse essential to construct and validate meaning. Instructional methods that include active and collaborative activities designed to connect concrete applications to professional and civic life. Learning environments that provide learners with opportunities to be active, creative and critical as well as being creators of their own perspective and identity, thus promoting their learning experiences. In this concept, students are encouraged to be active participants in their learning (instead of passive receivers of information). Students learn by integrating all of the mind/brain principles as they work in complex ways to develop their intellects and skills. Students work individually and in cooperative groups to develop critical thinking skills as they approach real world problems and/or simulations. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What is Collaborative Learning?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1626414336794{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]In collaborative learning, everyone participates actively and equitably because the hierarchy between facilitators and learners is flattened. Both the instructor and peers are seen as resources for the learner. Geoffrey Caine writes in the Handbook of Research on Student-Centered Strategies in Online Adult Learning Environments, “Learning usually does not occur effectively in isolation. Through observation, discussion, and feedback, the social aspect of learning is an integral piece of the learning puzzle.” Drawing on the work of multiple psychologists and philosophers over a period of decades, the concept of collaborative learning integrates multiple learning theories into a framework that views knowledge as something created by a community of learners who each bring their own experiences and perspectives to the table rather than knowledge being transferred by an individual (teacher) to a group of recipients. Collaborative learning is inquiry-based. A group of learners seek and construct meaning around a common question or set of questions that drive their learning experience. In Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning and Assessment: A Strategy for Developing Online Learning Communities in Continuing Education, Joyce W. Gikandi says the findings of her study suggest that social interactivity is pivotal to facilitating meaningful learning in formal online education. As a result, she encourages the use of learning communities as part of instructional design. She defines learning communities as “formal groups with [a] common educational purpose where members are constantly learning new skills and working to discover and propagate knowledge.” Connecting with others and sharing information helps learners respond with agility in rapidly changing environments.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What is Transformative Learning?” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1626414452618{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Transformative learning is a concept introduced by Jack Mezirow, an adult education researcher and theorist. It is a constructivist approach to learning theory in which learning is defined as meaning making that occurs by applying new information to previously-held beliefs in a manner which challenges the adult learner’s well-established perspectives. After a period of analysis, application, and reflection, learners may incorporate the old and the new, or they may replace the old with the new. In other words, learners experience a shift in their frame of reference or, on a larger scale, a paradigm shift, which helps them replace self-limiting beliefs and behaviors. As higher education seeks to prepare adult learners to become agile problem solvers, this process of disrupting learners’ long-held beliefs is beneficial because, as Mezirow states in Transformative Learning: Theory to Practice, “Transformative learning develops autonomous thinking.” According to Mezirow, transformative learning occurs through ten phases: A disorienting dilemma – This can be a sudden “a-ha” moment or a gradual shift in which new information affects the learner’s frame of reference. A self-examination – Learners self-test their beliefs when confronted with a disorienting dilemma. A critical assessment – Learners assess past assumptions; they evaluate and either validate or refute past beliefs. Recognition – Learners realize others also struggle with disorienting dilemmas that lead to similar self-examination and critical assessment. A sense of a learning community grows. Exploration – This is the phase in which learners discover new options for roles, relationships, and actions. Planning a course of action – Learners go through a phase of informed personal decision making for a path forward. Acquiring knowledge – In this phase, learners are seeking out additional knowledge that supplements their new perspectives and skills. Trying out roles – Having discovered new options for roles, planned a course of action, and acquired necessary knowledge, learners place themselves into new roles. Building competence and confidence – Learners gain experience in new roles, which increases their comfort level. Reintegrating – Learners gain a new sense of self and sense of place as they fully incorporate their new knowledge, perspectives, skills and experiences into their world. In recent years, other educators have taken Mezirow’s ten phases of transformational learning and grouped them into fewer categories. In 2014, Norma Nerstrom developed The Nerstrom Transformative Learning Model, which simplified the ten steps of transformational learning into four segments with a sequential order: (a) having experiences; (b) making assumptions; (c) challenging perspectives; and (d) experiencing transformative learning. Further simplified, the ten phases can be grouped into three stages: A catalyst prompts the realization
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Students and educators both want courses and programs that will enhance their knowledge and improve their skills. But, how to ensure that the programs meet the required quality? Is there a way of knowing or assessing whether a course or a program is of high quality? The answer is Yes. There is a way to ensure the quality of online learning – Quality Matters! Quality Matters (QM) is an international quality assurance organization focused on improving the design and certifying the quality of online and hybrid courses. QM Mission QM’s mission focuses on one thing, a high-quality online education. They work with university faculty members and instructional designers to promote and improve the quality of online education and student learning nationally and internationally. A collaboration with Quality Matters will assure students that they are getting the best quality online education. Quality Matters aims to improve the quality of online education and student learning across the globe through: Development of current, research-supported, and practice-based quality standards and appropriate evaluation tools and procedures Recognition of expertise in online education quality assurance and evaluation Fostering a culture of continuous improvement by integrating QM Standards and processes into organizational plans to improve the quality of online education Providing professional development in the use of rubrics, tools and practices to improve the quality of online education Peer review and certification of quality in online education Related Read: Why is Quality Control Important for a Business? QM Certification For an online or hybrid course to be Quality Matters Certified, it must meet the QM standards and be proven to positively impact the online learning experience. QM’s research-supported Rubrics and Standards provide objective, evidence-based ways to evaluate the components of online learning. The QM Certification Mark indicates that the course or program was evaluated by a team of experts and has met the rigorous Standards of quality – the QM Standards for Course Design. QM Certifications are valid for five years. The Quality Matters Certification process includes both a peer review and a rubric review of the online course. QM developed a rubric of course design standards and created a replicable peer-review process that would: Train and empower faculty to evaluate courses against these standards Provide guidance for improving the quality of courses Certify the quality of online and blended college courses across institutions Also Read: Manuscript Preparation: A Connecting Process Between The Editorial Team And An Editor The QM Quality Assurance System The QM quality assurance system ensures that you deliver the promise of high quality digital content. The quality assurance system relies on four core principles to create a culture of continuous improvement to deliver quality content. Continuous Centered Collegial Collaborative Keeping learners engaged in an online environment, getting learners to focus on content and learning objectives, these challenges are where the quality of your digital content makes the difference. Delivering high quality content will help your learners connect with the courses and help you deliver impactful learning experiences. Also Read: How does Accessibility Testing Improve your Website Performance? Optimal Implementation of QM There are many factors that affect the quality of an online course. The QM model primarily focuses on course design, but can be used to address all of the following factors – Course Design Course Delivery Course Content LMS Faculty Readiness Student Readiness Hurix Becomes a QM Member In 2014 Quality Matters began operating as a standalone nonprofit organization to broaden their reach worldwide and build new partnerships, as they continue to champion quality assurance in online learning and provide the gold standard for certifying the quality of online courses and programs. QM’s quality assurance tools and professional development include organizations outside of the Higher Education sector, including K-12, continuing and professional education, course publishers, and education service providers. HurixDigital has been providing content and technology solutions to publishers and educational institutions for over 20 years. We develop online learning programs that match the unique needs of each client. The programs are designed in a visually engaging and easy-to-understand format so as to provide the learners with a compelling learning experience. In order to further this experience, Hurix recently became a Quality Matters member, ensuring that all the courses and programs developed will be designed to meet Quality Matters standards. First in India HurixDigital becomes the first content provider in India to collaborate with Quality Matters. Through Quality Matters membership, Hurix has access to a comprehensive, research-supported quality assurance process to design and develop accessible, engaging online courses. Also Read: Top Reasons Why Companies Outsource Quality Assurance Services Delivering Quality at Every Turn Our QM members can now help us improve the quality of our courses and other instructional materials. With QM Certified learning courses and programs, we deliver value to learners in the digital environment. The learning content is designed to meet the rigorous quality standards and deliver the best learning experience. QM membership is a defining step towards fulfilling our commitment to deliver the highest quality of digital learning content. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Need to know more about our Products & Services ? Drop us a Note. We respect your privacy. 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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”What is ADA Compliance?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1614743193623{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]The Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as ADA, mandates businesses to ensure access to people with disabilities. The Act, which was passed in the year 1990, seeks to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities such as seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, mental impairments, etc. Businesses that fall under the ambit of this Act have to make accommodations such as the use of Braille for visually impaired customers or wheelchair accessibility for those who have difficulty in movement. This act lays down how to make a website ADA-compliant to meet the ever-changing needs of people, especially those with disabilities. In 2010, ADA was extended to include electronic media, mandating all electronic and information technology such as websites to be designed to cater to the needs of people with disabilities. Web content has to be made accessible with features such as voice to cater to those with hearing disabilities and screen readers or other assistive technology for the blind, making your website ADA-compliant. An ADA-compliant website protects your business against lawsuits, builds your brand, and also accommodates potential customers with disabilities. But what does an ADA-compliant website look like? Related Read: All You Need to Know to Ensure Web Accessibility While there are no clear rules and regulations, all businesses that fall under the compliance guidelines are required to develop their websites and other electronic content in a way that provides ‘reasonable accessibility’ to people with physical disabilities. So, does this mean that only businesses that fall under the ambit of this rule, that is, Title 1 businesses operating 20 or more weeks per year with at least 15 full-time employees; or Title III businesses falling under the category of “public accommodation,” are covered by the ADA? While it is mandatory for these businesses, in a global marketplace, it makes sense for all websites to be ADA-compliant. This not only helps companies to strengthen their brand but also find potential customers in people with disabilities. So, how to make your website ADA-compliant? Check your website with an ADA compliance checker and find out if it is accessible to everyone. If not, then adopt the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). In fact, the WCAG guidelines are now widely accepted worldwide as a means to design an ADA-compliant website. Also Read: 5 Reasons Why Enterprises Need to be WCAG Compliant[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Steps to design an ADA-compliant website” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1614743488839{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]1. Evaluate Your Existing Website If you already have an existing website, then the first step should be to analyze the layout, design, and content. You can do this manually using screen reader software or use specialized programs such as Lighthouse or WAVE. For your website to be ADA-compliant, it should be understandable, perceivable, operable, and robust. Study your website under these four categories and identify the gaps to fill. 2. Use ADA-compliant Graphics Graphics play a crucial role in ensuring your website is perceivable and ADA-compliant. Avoid graphics that flash for more than three seconds as they are very distracting. Make sure to add both text and audio descriptions, and captions that can be heard by the visually impaired or read by those with hearing disabilities. 3. Add Alt Text To make your website understandable, add Alt text for all your images. Alt text enables audible descriptions of your images. 4. Use Readable Fonts Fonts are a crucial component of an ADA-compliant website. Fonts such as Open Sans, Georgia, and Quicksand are easy on the eye. Also, give some thought to the colors of the font and the background. A light font will not work well with a light background; rather, it will put a strain on the eyes of the people trying to read your content. Avoid a flashy background that takes away attention from the text. A good design practice is that the design should never overpower the content, rather it should highlight the text in a manner that is pleasing and easy to read. A light background with a dark font gives good results. 5. Add Logical Features A crucial aspect of any ADA-compliant website is that it should be designed predictably. All your web pages should follow a common pattern. So, if your images are placed centrally on the home page, they should follow the same pattern on all pages. Similarly, for navigation buttons, they should be placed uniformly on all pages so that the readers don’t have to search for them on every page. Then again, you may have a pop-up window with a call to action, however, the user may not want to follow the lead. In this case, the users should be able to see the ‘X’ sign to close the window. You can put the close sign in the upper right corner, and in a visible color and size. Then again, to make your website ADA-compliant, ensure that you provide both readable and audible instructions to perform some reader activity, for example, filling out a form. 6. Use Standard HTML Tags By using standard HTML tags, you can ensure that your website is robust and the code is readable by an assistive reader. All your documents, including the PDF files, should be in the text format. This is because the reader software for the visually impaired may not be able to accurately read documents with complex images. Most website design platforms such as WordPress are designed for HTML and so making your website ADA-compliant with HTML tags should not be difficult. 7. Keyboard-friendly Website The operable category of an ADA-compliant website ensures that your readers can interact with your website using a keyboard. This is necessary because not all people are comfortable navigating with a touchscreen or a grip mouse. Further, the readers should be able to slow down automatic scrolling or pause content. Avoid using auto-play videos or those with a time
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The emergence of online education has quite literally opened up a world of new possibilities. Both individuals and institutions have begun to be attracted towards this digital minefield to gain better credibility, flexibility, and integrity. As a result, the percentage of students subscribing to online courses has jumped from a meagre 15.6% in 2004 to 43.1% in 2016. In fact, this number is set to cross an overwhelming 50% by 2021. However, when it comes to online education, there are two schedules from which learners need to make an informed choice. These schedules are – synchronous and asynchronous learning. While synchronous learning subscribes to the conventional mode of real-time teaching, asynchronous learning is highly non-traditional and learner-centric in context and approach. More so, their respective advantages over one another make the task of taking a pick all the more difficult. Therefore, as an educational institution, if you too are wondering which form of learning to go for, here is a detailed explanation of what both of them are and how they can help you improve your learning outcomes – [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What is Synchronous Learning?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1609341656043{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Synchronous learning is essentially the mode of learning where all students are engaged in a learning activity on a real-time basis. This is to say that they are present at the same place, at the same time, and are thereby exposed to the same learning process simultaneously. This place can either be a traditional classroom or a live virtual session. However, the condition is that the collaboration and feedback have to occur on the spot. Synchronous learning, in its own right, offers a variety of benefits like: 1. Dynamic Learning Synchronous learning allows the exploration of topics and concepts in a highly dynamic manner. Owing to its speed and swiftness, it imparts a certain depth of instruction to your overall training routine. 2. Instant Feedback Synchronicity in learning is largely defined by instant and immediate feedback. You can promptly point out the mistakes of your students, if any, and have them corrected on the spot. Your students don’t have to schedule appointments with you to avail of your guidance & mentorship. 3. Better Engagement Last but not least, synchronous learning also facilitates continuous, constant, and consistent engagement. With the assistance of tools like video-conferencing, live broadcasts, real-time chatting, and group calls, it offers a better sense of understanding, comprehension, and interpretation. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What is Asynchronous Learning?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1609341767931{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]On the other hand, asynchronous learning is a mode of learning where students can learn according to their needs, schedules, and styles. Unbound by time or place, mentors in this form of learning provide reading material and downloadable lectures that can be read and viewed by the students as per their own convenience. They can access information, make demonstrations, and submit assignments when it suits them best. The advantages accrued by asynchronous learners generally include: 1. Higher Flexibility As compared to its synchronous counterpart, asynchronous learning provides for much higher flexibility. Your students don’t have to be present at the same place or at the same time. They can continue with their other schedules and access the learning resources as and when they deem fit. 2. Easy Pacing Asynchronous learning also permits your students to determine, define and set their own pace of learning. Based on how much of a certain topic they have understood, they can either begin from scratch or absorb new knowledge in congruence with their learning modes, mediums, and styles. 3. Greater Affordability Even in terms of cost-effectiveness, asynchronous learning scores higher over synchronous learning. Since it does not require daily instruction or continuous attention, its content is usually priced on a lower scale. This equips students to learn as much as they can at a modest rate.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Synchronous Vs. Asynchronous Learning” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1609341846667{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]To gain a better idea about what synchronous and asynchronous learning truly pertains, it would be wise to examine both the concepts in great detail. Here’s a comprehensive table which lists the core essentials of both these types of learning for a quick comparison – Factors of Comparison Synchronous Learning Asynchronous Learning Location · Traditional classrooms · Online classes · Online class · Self-guided study · Any other place of the learner’s choice Tools · In-person lectures · Live webinars · Scheduled chat rooms · Group phone calls · Video conferences · Recorded classes · E-mails · Online training courses · Pre-recorded webinars · Social media groups · Collaborative documents Feedback Instant feedback from both mentor and peers Feedback receipt varies with time Pace Group – paced : Learning occurs with everyone in the group Self- paced : Learning occurs in a personalized way for each individual Time The learning curve begins and ends at the same time for everyone The learning curve begins and ends for each student differently Resources Same resources available at the same time Different resources available at different times Based on this table, it will become quite easy for you to choose the particular type of learning which fulfills your aims, objectives and goals in the most inclusive, exhaustive, and efficient way.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”So Which One Should You Choose?” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1609341985352{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Depending on your learning targets, course content, instruction delivery methods, and resource availability, you are free to pick whatever form of learning appeals to you the most. Nonetheless, as an institution, it would be smarter to opt for asynchronous learning over synchronous learning in the long run. This is primarily because asynchronous learning will enable you to create a self-guided and self-paced learning environment, despite the constraints imposed by time, location, or resources. Your content will become much more engaging, convenient, and interactive, thus giving your students the flexibility to learn, absorb, and progress
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Searching for the right information on the Internet is a time-consuming affair. The more time it takes for a person to get the results, the more annoying the whole experience becomes. Same goes for people who work at a customer-facing job. The sooner they give a solution to the customer’s problem, the happier the customer is. Here’s an example- Kevin joined a bank two months ago. As part of his orientation program, Kevin learned about various banking processes and how to handle customer requests. He now works in a branch as a customer service executive. Recently, a customer approached him with a request to activate his old account that was dormant for a few years. The customer also wanted to change the nominee for this account. Kevin struggled to handle this request because he was unable to recall the exact steps of the process and the list of required documents. He reached out to his manager for help. Unfortunately, the manager was busy in a meeting and was unable to help him. The consequence – an unhappy customer because Kevin had to request the customer to revisit the branch the next day when he would be better prepared to handle the request. What if Kevin had a tool that could help him recall the process steps and the required documents instantly? Would that equip him to handle the request more efficiently? Employees know their job well, but at times, they can run into a problem and look for various sources for a solution – colleagues, superiors, documents, manuals, etc. What if they can find the right help with a few clicks on their smartphone or a computer? This kind of just-in-time learning aid, also known as Performance Support Tools, can provide the required performance support and thus increase their efficiency.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What are Performance Support Tools (PSTs)?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1600265707926{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]PSTs are tools that offer “just-in-time” and “whenever, wherever” learning. PSTs are ideal for today’s busy employees as these are concise and task-oriented, and can help them solve their job-related problems almost instantaneously. It means they can work and learn simultaneously. PSTs can be used to teach new concepts, facilitate the application of those concepts, provide additional or in-depth information on a topic, and provide instant solutions for specific problems. According to the popular 70:20:10 model for Learning and Development, we learn: 70% from on-the-job experiences (experiential learning) 20% from interactions with others (social learning) 10% from formal (structured learning) While the exact ratio of learning from different approaches may vary, it is clear that on-the-job learning plays a significant role in employees’ growth. Organizations can use PSTs effectively to support experiential learning.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Are PSTs and formal learning the same? ” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1600265773068{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]PSTs are different from formal learning and are used to refresh or support formal learning. In other words, PSTs can facilitate the application of knowledge gained through formal training. Broad level differences between PSTs and formal training Formal Training PSTs Teaches a new concept or skill or provides more knowledge about it Help to apply that concept or skill and is an informal way of learning Fills an identified gap in skills or knowledge and explains a concept in detail Is used as an on-the-job problem-solving tool Requires a dedicated time slot Can be used whenever there is a requirement Imparts knowledge and new skills to the learner Help learners to complete their tasks Offers structured learning Offer incidental learning [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What are the different formats of PSTs? ” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1600265869744{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text] Mobile apps for just-in-time information: Useful for employees who do not have immediate access to a computer or a document; for example, people working on the field like pharma representatives and sales reps How-to-videos and interactive videos for instant information: Useful for learning new software, efficient practices, operating a machine, or replacing a part during maintenance of a machine Process maps: Provides a comprehensive view of the entire process and helps to check the importance of the current task in the process Whiteboard animations: Useful for long-term retention of information Kinetic text animations/typography: Useful for conveying difficult-to-visualize situations Interactive PDFs: Makes complex and lengthy documents easy to navigate and use with the help of interactive features like clickable buttons, embedded videos and more Quick reference guides: Useful for summing up key concepts, processes, and procedures used in formal training These can be multi-device compatible and can be offered in mLearning or mobile learning formats so that learners can access them whenever, wherever.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What are the benefits of PSTs? ” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1600266159103{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]As mentioned earlier, PSTs are different from formal training and are not meant to replace but complement them. PSTs help the learners to apply the knowledge acquired in the formal training. It is a well-known fact that the application of knowledge plays a significant role in the performance of employees, and PSTs can effectively boost employee performance. PSTs can help employees to improve their performance as they: Are easily accessible Offer quick resolution to their problems Reduce dependency on senior employees/colleagues Help in improving the competency of new employees quickly Help in getting quick updates on new features or updates in workflow or process At the same time, PSTs can help organizations to: Increase productivity Improve quality Reduce the number of errors Improve turn-around time for a task Provide better service to their customers Provide continuous learning to their employees Save time and money spent on frequent formal training sessions as PSTs are focused and shorter or smaller in size and therefore easy to update/replace [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Who can use PSTs?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1600266272593{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]PSTs are quite useful in almost all industries, including: Banking and Insurance –
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With Robotic Process Automation or RPA, university staff find themselves equipped with a tool that not only simplifies their work, but also saves a considerable amount of time and resources. The need to deliver excellence has led many higher educational institutions to adopt newer technologies over the years. While these technologies have delivered significant benefits toward student learning, the teachers and other staff too, need some respite from time-consuming processes such as administration and student servicing. In fact, technology has helped reduce the cost per student, enabling institutions to utilize the resulting savings for infrastructure upgrade, enhancing the learning experience etc. RPA can be utilized in every department of the institution such as finance, admission, teaching, and various tasks such as student acquisition, engagement, onboarding, etc. RPA can perform high-volume tasks and processes without continued human presence. It acts like a virtual employee that supports the faculty and staff to provide students with a high-quality education. Also Read: Top Higher Education Trends Emerging in the Post-Covid Era[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”We will now look into some of the use cases of RPA in higher education-” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599489744551{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text] 1. Student Acquisition The student acquisition process usually involves a number of labor-intensive tasks. The admin staff has to go through individual student application forms, assess and validate the documents, check their eligibility for the applied course, shortlist candidates etc. They may also find themselves overburdened with multiple roles during peak seasons which fluctuate over the academic year. Also, manually performing these tasks may result in delayed responses, depending on the volume of work on that particular day and the available capacity. RPA can help reduce this workload. Using RPA, you can set up bots, and define parameters for evaluating and cross-checking application forms, checking the eligibility criteria, and shortlisting candidates. These virtual bots enable elastic scalability on demand. Which means, if on a particular day there are too many applications to evaluate, the bots can do it efficiently. There would be no need to hire additional resources or add to your existing resources’ workload. This automated process results in quick turn-around time compared to manual efforts, and helps save a significant amount of cost while ensuring process accuracy. 2. Student Servicing An educational institution has to have an efficient system to manage the student servicing process. Student servicing includes a range of things such as dorm room allocation, class schedules, attendance, reminders, sports, internship, job applications, travel requests, other benefits, etc. Automation can help the staff in smooth processing of all these services, such that each student’s needs are looked after properly. For instance, institutions have to maintain an attendance record of not only the students, but also the faculty and admin staff. Automating the attendance tracking process will give you accurate data of the time logged in by the staff. RPA technology can automatically mark the attendance when a student enters the premises. You can set up the tool such that it sends out automated notifications and reports to parents, students and teachers in case the attendance is below the minimum percentage required. 3. Financial Reporting A number of students apply for financial aid and student loans. The admin staff have to go through each of the forms, check the eligibility criteria and process it further. This process often takes up a lot of time. Once again, educational institutions can leverage RPA to automate these tasks. RPA can also be used to automate payroll processing, vendor management, etc. You can check the institution’s finance statements against the ledger to identify duplicate or non-compliant invoices. 4. Processing Grades RPA can be used to automate student reports with grades extracted from the database. Instead of faculty members manually putting grades into each student’s report, RPA technology helps make the job easier and efficient. Also, the tool can send out the reports automatically to the students’ parents. 5. Virtual Assistants Virtual assistants include chatbots, SMS bots, ringless voicemails etc. They are used in order to reduce the human efforts involved in answering queries. A chatbot essentially simulates human conversation. It can answer general queries from students, staff and website visitors related to admission schedule and process, course information etc. Instead of assigning a staff member to answer these queries, these virtual assistants, with the help of NLP and AI, can understand the natural language, learn from past data, and respond to queries in an appropriate manner. 6. Setting Up Meeting Schedules An educational institution organizes several meetings throughout the year, including parent-teacher meetings, board meetings, faculty meetings and so on. In a typical scenario, a member of the staff will have to check the availability of the attendees, prepare a schedule, and send out email invites. RPA can perform this task by checking everyone’s schedule and drafting an email communicating the time and location of the meeting. In case of a change in the time or location, the tool can reschedule the meetings effortlessly. Also Read: Best Practices in Online Curriculum Development for Higher Education[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Conclusion:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599490117646{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Automation eliminates inefficiencies in mundane tasks. RPA works as a virtual work-force, which is available 24×7, can be elastically scaled up and down when needed, helps you get your work done quickly and with accuracy. A number of schools and universities who have quite a reputation for their educational offerings, are often dabbling in a less modern way of operation. By leveraging RPA, they can immensely improve the quality of their operations and enhance the efficacy of the services offered. HurixDigital uses various tools and platforms like UI Path, Automation Anywhere, Work Fusion to add value and bring in cost efficiencies through RPA. We recently helped one of our clients automate their student acquisition process, resulting in significant cost savings owing to reduction in manual labour. By creating a systematic work-flow using Bots to process document-related activities, we helped in improving the efficiency in verifying and
