Designing Web-Based Training: How to Teach Anyone Anything Anywhere Anytime [Paperback]

William Horton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 047135614X | ISBN-13: 978-0471356141 | Publication Date: February 9, 2000 | Edition: 1

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

Editorial Reviews

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.

From the Back Cover

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 9, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047135614X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471356141
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview and covers the in depth considerations, June 30, 2001

By 

James King (Kinston, NC USA) - See all my reviews

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

note: I submitted my review yesterday and incorrectly put the publishers name instead or Horton in the review. I have corrected that error below

Excellent overview and covers the in depth considerations necessary for any successful WBT program

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.

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Reference for Your Desk, May 29, 2001

By 

Jeffrey Leeper "kem2070" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

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.

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasic introduction to developing web based training, April 11, 2000

By 

Gordon Capreol - See all my reviews

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

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.