Friday Finds: 5 Fantastic e-Learning Books to Enhance Your Design Skills

When you want to really dig deep into the topic of e-Learning, a book is a great resource. Who wouldn’t love pages upon pages of evidence-based research and examples to inspire the next e-Learning development project? Next time you find yourself boarding a long flight to an e-Learning conference or workshop, put down that gossip magazine and pick up one of these great books packed with e-Learning strategies, tips and examples.

e-Learning and the Science of InstructionThe third edition of this trusted guide delivers extremely helpful, current information to its readers. Here’s what reviewers are saying:"If you design online learning, e-Learning and the Science of Instruction is a 'must read.'…This important work details the evidence-based findings that provide practical guidelines for effective online instructional design. For me, this book is the 'bible' of our profession."
—Peter Orton, Ph.D., IBM Center for Advanced Learning"For the experienced instructional designer, having this supportive research provides the rationale needed to obtain consensus from a training development team."
—David L. Bennett, senior training program developer, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding

e-Learning by DesignE-Learning by Design gives a comprehensive, detailed look at the concepts and processes of developing, creating and implementing a successful e-Learning program. William Horton provides a practical, down-to-earth approach that is easy to follow. Industry experts rave:"This is a thorough, practical guide to creating excellent eLearning, written by a master of the craft. It clearly communicates William Horton’s 35-year career in our field. It is also an enjoyable book to read, like Horton’s other works. In my opinion, it belongs in your library, whether you are new to instructional design or whether you have dozens of eLearning projects in your portfolio."
— LearningSolutionsMag.com

Beyond Bullet PointsCommunications expert Cliff Atkinson shows you how to create innovate, unique presentations. Full of examples from the classroom to the boardroom, this is a great read that will help you increase the impact of your presentations, whether you’re making them in PowerPoint or using Lectora® e-Learning software.A reader posted this review on Amazon: “This is by far the best way to structure a powerful presentation. I love this book. I love the ideas, the structure, the way it makes creating a great presentation easy. If you want to capture your audience's attention and have great results, this is the book to have.”

Telling Ain’t TrainingAuthors Harold Stolovitch and Erica Keeps deliver wise advice in a lively voice. What’s more, this book practices what it preaches, drawing you in from page one and immediately prompting you to sample the first of many try-it-yourself exercises in learning.“This practical, innovative, and well-researched book on how we all learn makes this book an invaluable tool for all learning and performance professionals! As a former Vice President of Training and Change Management, I would have made the book mandatory for all trainers, coaches, and managers, had it existed. Well done!” —Michel Desjardins, Senior Vice President, BDC Consulting Group, Business Development Bank of Canada

Design for How People LearnDiscover how to use the key principles behind learning, memory, and attention to create materials that enable your learners to both gain and retain the knowledge and skills you're sharing. This book will help you master fundamental concepts of instructional design. Author Julie Dirksen is an independent consultant and instructional designer with more than 15 years experience creating highly interactive e-Learning experiences. Even the industry pros love Dirksen’s book:“If it’s possible to be in love with a book, then I am in love with this one. Julie Dirksen has written a most excellent book for the beginning practitioner as well as the seasoned veteran of instructional design.”—Cammy Bean, Vice President of Learning Design, KineoOf course, a post about e-Learning books wouldn’t be complete without a few eBooks, would it? Here’s a few bonus Friday Finds for you!

Now that you’re armed with all this e-Learning knowledge, go create some amazing presentations. Your learners will thank you! For more posts like this, plus tutorials and videos, subscribe to the Lectora e-Learning Blog.To try Lectora e-Learning software, download the free e-Learning Software Trial.