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

1.5. Two Types of e-Learning Goals: Inform and Perform

As summarized in Table 1.2, the guidelines in this book apply to e-learning that is designed to inform as well as e-learning that is designed to improve specific job performance. We classify lessons that are designed primarily to build awareness or provide information as inform programs, also known as briefings. A new employee orientation that reviews the company history and describes the company organization or a product knowledge update are examples of topics that are often presented as inform programs. The information presented is job relevant, but there are no specific expectations of new skills to be acquired. The primary goal of these programs is to transmit information. In contrast, ...