Customer Reviews

e-Learning by Design

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This author actually was able to present detailed and effective solutions for E-Learning problems. You could sense that he had to solve similar problems. He also seemed to have encountered a broad range of real E-Learning problems, rather than simply theorize about them. The solutions made sense. In addition, Horton presented a number of well researched issues that appear to have caused problems due to frequent instructional designer beliefs that the E-media itself is good enough to cover the lack true learning assistance...... real learning assistance, that all too often is missing in many E-Learning presentations due to interaction gimmicks that offer no relationship to assisting with the learning process.

Great book! Sits now on top of my Michael Allen E-Learning books. I also liked Horton's apparent attitude that philosophizing does not solve instructional problems, but offering solid detailed solution approaches can.

Let's face it, most people hate the idea of e-learning. If you're interested in creating *effective* e-learning (and most people are not) and don't know where to start, this is a good place.

The book can be useful both to internal HRD departments and independent trainer/designers. Even if you don't want to design e-learning, this information can help you sort out credible from mediocre contractors and give you idea of how to work with them better.

First, Horton covers design considerations and decisions you may not think of (even if you're experienced) and ways to make e-learning come alive.

Early in the book, Horton states that the primary purposes for e-learning are do, act, and decide. Departing information is a secondary cause (and, if you think about it, sort of a waste of time if you want training to have real value and application in the workplace). This is a *great* place to start from if you're serious about creating real value with your e-learning project.

You can also get a good idea of how to use different programs (Flash, Powerpoint et al) various programs to add both punch and power to your e-learning project.

You can use this book as a guide and starting point to creating good, effective e-learning experiences. This is a major undertaking and, I think, can have real payoffs.

Horton also offers ideas for evaluation.

There is no magic bullet to this and this book doesn't pretend to offer it.

I would have liked a CD to go with it (a lot of material is available of Horton's web site).

This is an excellent book/resource for you if you are involved in eLearning in any way: manager, writer, designer, web developer. Does your eLearning development group have published instructional design and course development standards? This book can help put a framework around reaching agreement among staff and clients. Or benchmark your current standards and definitions of quality eLearning against examples found in the book. Horton's 2000 edition has been cited in academic texts. And if he wasn't so cynical about advanced degrees, we would surely be calling him Dr. Horton. Yet, that is essentially what defines Bill Horton. He the eLearning industry's Henry David Thoreau.

Been involved in a major project with the Secretaría de Educación Pública (Mexican Ministry of Education), and wanting to produce the best e-learning for mexican kids, this book has become the Soul and Guide for the ID team working on it. The chapters about Absorb, Do and Conect type activities are the more marked, noted and used to inspire our work. Test chapter (5) as well as Topics & Lessons chapters (6 & 7) have transform the way we design our learning objects.

Certainly Will and Kit (his wife) have touch our lives through this book. Thank you both for sharing your knowledge and wisdom, we hope to become good pupils.

This is a great book, regardless of whether you are new to e-learning design or been around it for a while. It's pushed my content creation along in a great direction and I know with certainty that my learners are benefiting greatly. Simple, easy to follow instructions. If you only buy one book for your e-learning library this is it!

"e-Learning by Design" is a very valuable update of William Horton's "Designing Web Based Training" (2000). It provides more on recent development with standards for web based courseware. It is particularly useful when using a coursware system such as Web CT and Moodle. You need to worry less about the web design of the course as that is largely set by the package.

I am creating some online training material and purchased about 7 books on the subject and this was the most engaging, comprehensive, and easy to read book by a long shot. This is the standard that all other e-learning books should be judged by.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in e-learning.

I've been teaching online for 8 years but I still found plenty of useful information in this book. The guidelines he provides are practical and his writing style is easy to read and understand. My favorite chapters so far are on the different learning activities: Absorb-type, Do-type, and Connect-type. He also provides great material on designing tests, lessons, organization, design, etc.

I'm currently reading a copy I got from the library, but I'm considering purchasing this book because that is how good I feel it is. I've looked at lots of books on e-learning and I would have to say this is one of the best I have come across. I definitely recommend it to anyone who is teaching, or plans to teach online!

This is not the type of book to read all the way through- though I do recommend reading through the first chapter and referencing the rest of the chapters when you need them. One of the best idea books I've come across- it is a great resource for instructional designers that develop and train others to develop (however, it can also be useful to teachers that develop their own courses). Great illustrations.

There are a variety of examples in the book for the use of these activities- they can be used for developing informative sites, courses, consulting training exercises, etc. I like how the author breaks down the different types of activities- absorbing, connecting, and doing activities- flexible enough for a learning management system, Web site, or other training program.

My one comment is that the book seems a bit out of order- possibly the activities should go after the lessons chapter, which is why I came to the conclusion that it is best to use this as a reference.

I bought this book for a class on e-learning. Best class I've taken in a long time and really opened my eyes about how to design and construct an on-line/hybrid course.