RKCS Learning Solutions

OK.  I must admit that I feel funny about this topic although I know there is really nothing wrong with it.  Everybody does it to some degree and we do it in so many areas of life, consciously, subconsciously and unconsciously.  We can’t help it.  It’s how we learn, it’s how we grow, it’s how we develop.  Yet, why do I feel funny?  Well, in some ways, it feels like cheating.  It feels like I am looking over at the paper or the screen of the dude right next to me.  What am I talking about?  Imitation.  Singers learn how to sing by imitating someone they admire.  Artists learn how to paint by imitating someone or something they find cool.  Almost EVERY professional or successful person got to where they are or to the point where they could express their own creativity because they “imitated” someone else at some point.

Tom Kuhlmann wrote a post some time back about breaking down other elearning examples to see how they were built.  I can’t find the link right now, but I read another similar post about re-building examples in your own way.  After all, isn’t that what we are doing anyway?  I mean, how many soft skills presentations and modules are out there?  I can guarantee everyone is not using the same one.  But the info is all the similar.  So, these days I have been scouring the web quite a bit for sample e-learning demos.  Cathy Moore added quite a few to her blog.  Tyro posted some on his blog as well.  I especially enjoyed the examples over at SuddenlySmart.com.  So, as I increase my own portfolio, I am keeping up with what others are capable of building with different types of software (SmartBuilder, Raptivity, etc, in addition to the Articulate, Captivate and Camtasia which I already use).  I am also developing my own ideas.  Instead of racking my brain to always come up with something fresh, I can build off some of the ideas I have already seen.  (Sidebar: The other day, I came across a blog post with a GREAT title – “Announcing: THE WHEEL….Oh was that already invented?” If I can find it again, then I will post the link)

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