Soflex Online is an award winning software and internet development firm. We have been creating innovative solutions for 24 years. We create e-Learning courseware that helps companies create their own training quickly, and at a tremendous cost savings.

As a service to the training industry, our instructional designers have produced this collection of superb materials related to online learning. We hope you find it useful and informative.





e-Learning and the Science of Instruction : Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning (Hardcover)

Reviews
“…is a useful resource for all those who are involved in designing and developing e-learning experiences. (IACET Review, 4/1/2004)

"This book clearly points the way to improving learning environments and ensuring that e-learning is accessible, relevant, and effective." (Technical Communication, August 2003)

Review: A great deal of research in e-learning summarized
Over several million years, humans have learned from other humans, by speech, action and observation. It can be strongly argued that this is hard-wired into our genes, as the survival advantages of communication and learning from each other are obvious. In the last few decades, a new and fundamentally different form of learning has emerged. This form of learning requires only one human, the learner. Instruction is carried out via a computer, which has the advantage that it never grows frustrated or impatient with the student and will repeat the lesson an indefinite number of times.

However, the first attempts to replace the human instructor were not successful. Early programs that were little more than drill and practice were dull and students lost interest very quickly. The repetitive nature and lack of originality proved to be a near-fatal weakness. The first online courses were little more than correspondence courses, where the correspondence was electronic rather than via letters. As was the case with correspondence courses, a small percentage of the students did well, but most found them inadequate.

Therefore, until computers reached the point where the instruction could be multimedia and user-driven, e-learning could never really be a viable alternative. Now, that has changed and this book contains a large amount of collected wisdom about how to construct and evaluate quality lessons.

The authors summarize an enormous amount of research in the field, presenting it in an easy to understand manner. I created online courses for a college and instructional material for my corporate training classes before I read the book and I found their pointers to be right on the mark. They described many of the problems I encountered and their proposed solutions were generally similar to those I found through trial and error.

If you are considering either the development of online courses or are evaluating some for purchase, then you should read this book. The current power of computers can easily convince you that electronic education is much easier than it actually is, and this book will help you avoid making errors.

Review: One of the very best
I have been developing and teaching online courses for several years and have an extensive library that I have collected over that time. I have found this book to be one of the four or five I return to on a regular basis.

As a person who serves as a reviewer for other faculty work, I lament that this book is not required reading. In addition to discussing how to correctly use technology it also spends significant time looking at how students learn and how we, as faculty, should adress students in an online environment.

Review: A book that every person in this field need to use
e-Learning and the Science of Instruction is a must have for anybody that is already a pro, or just starting out at designing web-based instruction.

The authors give outstanding guidance for every step of the way, from explaining theories to the best way to set up your web site. It shows excellent illustrations of what to do, as well as what NOT to do. This book is a tool that every one in the business shouldn't be without.

Review: Excellent practical book for practitioners
I have been designing and developing e-Learning for 6 years and this book has been wonderful to help remind me of some basics, teach me a few things, and give excellent practical advice as I continue developing. I am not one to read textbooks or non-fiction but I find this writing style very easy to read and I am able to easily apply the concepts. If you have never developed e-Learning but are studying the topic in school, this book may come across as dry and hard to read. Hold on to it and pick it up after you've been developing for a year or so and I'm sure you'll find it as useful as I have.

Review: Great book based on evidence
I found the book to be very useful in helping me design an e-learning program. The basic concept of the book is that simple is best; do not overload the learner with extraneous information. The book is nicely laid out and the authors practice what they preach in the learning design of the book. The only weakness I found was the examples used. They seemed dated and not really applicable.

Overall a great learning experience for me. I read it twice and will review it periodically as I work on different projects.

Review: Most useful book on this subject
As someone who has been designing multimedia elearning programs since '95, I found this book simply the most useful book on this subject for anyone serious about getting multimedia learning right.

The book is full of references to well designed studies published in refereed jounals where the principles discussed were meticulously examined by learning researchers.

This is refreshing in a field where most books are anecdotes written by programmers (ala Michael Allen) or website designers. This book actually gives you design principles to follow to increase student learning while debunking many (too)popular theories about good design (such as the usefulness of extra tidbits of information, how to mix pictures and text, when to use audio in an animation, whether a self-playing presentation is better than one where the user clicks through, etc, whether all learners learn best from non-linear presentation, etc.).

I'd highly recomend this book to anyone serious about getting educational multimedia design and elearning right.

Review: A great resource for e-Learning developers
This book is a wonderful resource for newbies and experienced e-Learning developers alike. Finally we have do's and dont's based on actual research and real-life users. For a relatively new and ever-changing field, some rules are critical, and this book does a great job of providing them. I would definitely recommend this book.

Review: Good guidelines for designing eLearing content
I find this book very helpful for any instructional designer or elearning content developer because it gives sound guidelines based on research about how to improve instructional design for elearning content.
It provides many graphic examples and research links.

I asked for the book months before it was published and I am not disapointed. You can incorporate these criteria explained in the book in your designs right away. I have bought many elearning books, and I find this one very very helpful for my designs. The only thing its that I find it a little bit repetitive in their findings, but it makes no harm...






Designing Web-Based Training : How to Teach Anyone Anything Anywhere Anytime (Paperback)

From Library Journal
A close relative of "distance learning," web-based training (WBT) offers a big advantage over its kin by allowing instructors to design with multiple media in an online environment so students can learn at their own pace and on their own time and still get help from almost any source that is connected to the net. This power comes at a cost; few actually understand how to integrate all of this media into an effective learning environment. Horton, president of William Horton Consulting and editor of The Web Page Design Cookbook, has written a book for the administrator and instructor trying to understand WBT at a very high level of thinkingAwhat it is, how to evaluate it, possible approaches and applications, organizing sequences, testing, collaborating, motivating, and the future. This is not, however, a technical work showing how to use a programming language and TCP (transmission control protocol) to implement WBT. Horton's book will appeal to librarians, teachers, corporate trainers, and administrators.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
The surge in the number of online training sites has created an unprecedented demand for experts who know all aspects of Web-based training (WBT) site design. Written by bestselling author William Horton, this book provides the hands-on and practical guidance that trainers demand. Packed with over 100 examples, this well-illustrated guide walks you through every phase of designing WBT, from analyzing your course requirements and assessing the needs of potential students to designing a course for a global audience.

You'll find out how to combine elements into effective and interesting learning sequences, discover how to overcome any technical hurdle that may arise, how to offer materials that motivate learning, and how to use Web technologies to create 21st-century alternatives to traditional courses.

Praise for Designing Web-Based Training
"Horton has done it again! He's addressed the cutting-edge problem of Web-based training design with his pragmatic, research-based approach. His work is task-oriented and down-to-earth. He doesn't waste our time with excessive educational philosophy. In short-comprehensive overview, practical advice, engaging presentation."-Robert E. Horn, Author, Visual Language: Global Communication for the 21st Century

"As each new media wave is adopted for instructional pur-poses, there is a lag in effective exploitation of the unique features the medium brings for supporting learning. Designing Web-Based Training bridges the gap by providing a rich and detailed reference."-Ruth Clark, EdD, President, Clark Training & Consulting

"Designers have been seeking guidance on how to exploit the Web's distribution potential while combining it with powerful instructional programs. Horton provides structure, stimulation, and substance in this important book. Web-based training is definitely what is happening now. Designing Web-Based Training will be a de facto classic in the field." -Gloria Gery, Principal, Gery Associates, Author, Making CBT Happen

The companion Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/horton/ features:
* Design guidelines
* Live versions of many examples from the book
* A course shell and sample lessons
* Links to helpful references


Review: Fantasic introduction to developing web based training
Horton does a great job of explaining the pros and cons of web based training and when it should be used. He presents some basic guidelines for developing a business case for using WBT and moves into a detailed definition of well designed courseware. Topics include designing course navigation, course material and exams. Tech tips are scattered throughout for the technical people reading this book, but not in a way that would scare off non-techies. Well written and easy to read. Highly recommended.

Review: A Reference for Your Desk
A friend recommended this book to me when I was beginning to write simple web-based training programs. In buying this book, I thought I would find a list of ways to put the training together. Horton's book brings a lot more to the reader. First, this book does not give you code to use for building the training. Although he will mention the a helpful hint in using a particular code here and there, he does not give you long lists of things to cut and paste into your module.

This book provides you with a reference for all the things you, as the creator of the training, should be thinking about. It is not overwhelming with theory, but rather is a series of bulleted lists of tips, ideas, and suggestions for preparing your work. This is easy to read and has many examples (pictures) of what he is talking about (there is also a website and each chapter comes with a list of other places to go for information...not to mention the list of references in the back).

Horton explains what web-based training is and helps you to evaluate whether web-based training is the best route to go for your needs. He discusses how to market your training as well as how you can lay it out to make it user friendly. He has his own training programs that he does so all his methods have been tested. This lends a lot of credibility to the author.

Before reading this book, I was still thinking in terms of text and quizzes. Although he does mention these, he also gives you different ideas in how to present the information. This keeps training different and exciting.

I would highly recommend this book for any trainer, or educator, who is interested in pursuing, or experimenting, with web-based training.

Review: Excellent overview and covers the in depth considerations

I do consulting in education on WBT and I am a Director of a WBT Consulting Certification Program and consequently usually do not have the time to write reviews. However, in this instance I had to take the time. Horton has done an excellent job of providing an overview of WBT and an in depth study of the instructional design related to a WBT program. He covers most of the issues you will be facing setting up WBT and his book should be on your shelf and one of the first that you read if you are just getting started in WBT or in need of further guidance in this area. He doesn’t go into the practical development side of the how to do the graphics, programming, and Web architecture, but that is OK because that is a separate area in itself. If you need to know most of the considerations involved with WBT, then this is definitely your book. After you have read his book sit down and use his suggestions to plan your WBT program and you will not go wrong. He also addresses very practical issues in the instructional design of the WBT program and the courses within the program, how to set them up and conduct them. I can’t say enough about how well he covers these topics. If you need a book that will give you ideas and make you think about your WBT program and the instructional design and development within your upcoming or current WBT program, his book will do all of that and more. His book will definitely make you think and will provide insightful assistance for WBT program managers, WBT instructional designers, WBT course development teams and WBT instructors alike. I particularly liked the instructional design of his book; it is full of illustrations that are as thought provoking as his words. The book is truly an idea generator. It is an easy read for a newcomer and a must read for the WBT professional.

Review: Excellent e-learning overview
I am a corporate trainer who seeks to convert much of his highly successful classroom-based training to the Web. This book was EXACTLY what I was looking for and met my very demanding criteria for a 'how-to' book.

It succeeds in that it:

1. Takes the reader step by step by step through all of the big-picture considerations (and several subtle but important nuances) one must undertake to create an e-learning program from scratch, or convert an existing training program to one that can work on the Web

2. Is written clearly, concisely and simply - - an absolute rarity in a world of technology handbooks that are muddled and/or require the reader to already have a Ph.D. in computer science to understand.

3. Introduced me to small and large ideas that I had not considered but that made perfectly common sense when I thought about them.

This book made me a disciple of William Horton, and gave me the confidence that if I wanted to, I could transform my classroom training to the Web yet avoid a lot of errors I would have committed had I not read this book.