Designing E-Learning for Generation Y

1. Designing e-learning
for
Generation Y
Mark Harrison
www.kineo.com

2. Accelerating E-learning and Performance
Kineo helps internal teams... to make e-learning
easier to produce and more engaging for learners

3. Accelerating E-learning and Performance
• Who is Generation Y?
• What do they want?
• Why do we currently miss the mark?
• How can we match their preferences?
• What types of learning opportunities
should we provide for them?
Designing e-learning for Generation Y

4. Accelerating E-learning and Performance
Who is Generation Y?
• born between 1980-1992
• digital natives, parents were not
• shorter attention spans
• resistant to lecture
• prefer action
• low threshold for print sources
• more comfortable sharing information

5. Who is Generation Y?
Source: TECH Tribe report 2006
23hrs23hrs
a week spenta week spent onlineonline
vs.vs.
17 hours watching TV17 hours watching TV
1/41/4
do all their shoppingdo all their shopping
onlineonline
60% say the internet60% say the internet
“belongs to them”“belongs to them”
67%67%
would be ‘lost’ without theirwould be ‘lost’ without their
computer vs.computer vs. 46%46% would bewould be
lost without TVlost without TV
Source: TECH Tribe report 2006

6. Accelerating E-learning and Performance
Who is Generation Y?
visual
imagery
creative
thinking
They prefer:
sharing
openly
going in to get what they need then get out
not to be locked in learning loops
large variety of activities
engaging, gaming activities

7. Accelerating E-learning and Performance
Why do we currently miss the mark?
• Who are the decision-makers?
What do they know about 20-30 year olds?
How many L&D departments are run by technical literate heads?
• Sharing is risky. Senior managers can be exposed by what they
don’t know. Junior staff can ask difficult questions. Offence is always
possible.
• Sharing is hard work. Learning is hard work. Not easy to reproduce
Facebook fun.
• It has to be informal (like the web) – so how can you plan it?

8. Accelerating E-learning and Performance
What is the most symbolic object
that sums up Generation Y in 2009?

9. Accelerating E-learning and Performance

10. More for Less
Developments in Rapid E-Learning
If only all e-learning was like an

11. More for Less
Developments in Rapid E-Learning
If only all e-learning was like an
...then Generation Y would love us!

12. Flexible – 24/7
Can be
personalised
The iPhone
A model for
Generation Y
learning
Looks good
Does not
suggest ‘the
establishment’
Has over 25,000 very different ‘applications’

13. YouTube – video sharing
Camera – picture sharing
iPod – Podcasts

14. Let’s get everyone to share
ideas by video or pictures
It’s easy to do and it’s
authentic – upload or email
Use a SWAT squad to go in
and do interviews for
vodcasts/podcasts
Camera – picture sharing
YouTube – video sharing
iPod – Podcasts

15. AIM –Instant Messaging &
Sharing Knowledge - Twitter

16. AIM –Instant Messaging &
Sharing Knowledge - Twitter
Let’s encourage everyone
to share ideas and ask
questions of everyone else
Get to know their
colleagues and they’ll find
out what they know and
what they are doing – it
makes Generation Y
happier!

17. Facebook – blogging and
networking

18. Facebook – blogging and
networking
Get the latest facts and
expertise from those who
know (cut out the middle
man...)
Get debates going and a
buzz around new things –
develop small informal
communities

19. Instant, up to date
information

20. Make it easy to find the
things that people want to
know
The Search button is more
important to Gen Y than
multiple menus and LMSs
Instant, up to date
information

21. Accelerating E-learning and Performance
1. Personalization
Make the learner feel like a person and
not like a user
2. Identity
Use real images to help learners identify
with the messages
3. Brand
Re-inforce the relationship between the
learner and the organisation.
12 Guidelines for designing engaging eLearning environments for
Generation Y learners
(Eva de Lera, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)

22. Accelerating E-learning and Performance
4. Community
Offer options to communicate, relate, and participate
5. Surprise
Surprise elements show learners they are part of a
creative and dynamic community
6. Innovation
Bring in things that learners may begin hearing in the
media and on the web
7. Zen – Ensure white spaces. Avoid unnecessary
noise.
12 Guidelines for designing engaging eLearning environments for
Generation Y learners
(Eva de Lera, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)

23. Accelerating E-learning and Performance
8. Search - Provide shortcuts for learners
9. Clarity - Use lively and bright colours to facilitate interaction and
retention
10. Situation – Make sure learners get a map of the environment in a
glimpse, without needing to scroll
11. Aesthetics – Ensure a consistent , quality “look" throughout
12. Recognition – Use standard icons and symbols that can be understood
easily
12 Guidelines for designing engaging eLearning environments for
Generation Y learners
(Eva de Lera, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)

24. Accelerating E-learning and Performance
Thank you
Mark Harrison
Mark.harrison@kineo.com
+44 (0)7789 717 028
www.kineo.com