Interview mit E-Learning-Berater Guido Hornig über PowerPoint und iSpring

Interview with e-learning consultant Guido Hornig about PowerPoint and iSpring

|Tom Schweitzer
Guido Hornig, a graduate engineer, is an e-learning consultant and specialist for the authoring software iSpring. In this interview, he explains how easily e-learning modules can be created by combining iSpring and Microsoft PowerPoint, and what advantages the two programs offer in this regard.
Dipl.-Ing. Guido Hornig
1. Thanks to iSpring, PowerPoint becomes an authoring tool. Why does the software rely specifically on PowerPoint? Most authoring tools bear a striking resemblance to PowerPoint. But no other slide creation tool can boast such a large user base as PowerPoint. Over 10 years ago, iSpring launched the first PowerPoint converter. Back then, customers wanted to add animated slides to their still relatively static websites – without the many drawbacks of video. This need has grown ever larger due to the modern demands of e-learning. Despite all the naysayers, PowerPoint has continued to spread, is better than ever, and is still found on almost every desktop. This is especially true in companies that urgently need e-learning and want to implement it themselves. Its functionality is extensive and powerful. The graphical filters are appealing to both beginners and professionals – why reinvent the wheel? iSpring picks up where PowerPoint leaves off, adding missing features such as quiz creation, audio synchronization with animations, conversation simulation, and output for websites and learning management systems, as well as conventional output for DVDs, and, with QuizMaker, even in print format. 2. What are the requirements for using iSpring? At least Windows from Windows XP (SP3), PowerPoint 2007 (SP3), IE 7 or better. Exactly: http://www.ispringsolutions.com/ispring-suite/system-requirements 3. What are the most important features of iSpring? We discovered iSpring because we wanted to precisely synchronize animated slides with the PowerPoint animation, or rather, to align the animations with the audio track. With iSpring, this is a breeze – with PowerPoint, there's no sensible approach that can withstand later changes or even a slide added later. Then we realized how easy it is to create a kind of mobile app with PowerPoint. For the user, it's like an app; from the author's perspective, it's a PowerPoint presentation with quizzes. An e-learning blogger would probably call it "Rapid Mobile E-Learning Nuggets" or something similar. And an app developer would assume we're PowerPoint users. And rightly so. It always works. With the free, "real" iSpring app, the quizzes and simulations even work perfectly offline and synchronize the results the next time you connect to Wi-Fi. Two years ago, HTML5 was introduced, and iSpring was able to output almost all PowerPoint transitions and animations as HTML5 almost immediately. Morph from PPT2016 also works. This amazing conversion quality delights me every time. 4. What are the typical application areas for iSpring? Conducting training sessions online is an important area of ​​application. Trainers can use existing PowerPoint slides almost exactly as they are. Preparing and following up on seminars and training sessions. Often, the slides from in-person training sessions are supplemented with photo documentation and review questions, and all participants receive valuable digital seminar follow-up. The more professional the PowerPoint presentations are, the easier it is to adapt the content and, thanks to iSpring, they can be online very quickly – even for smartphones and tablets. Anyone planning to create numerous videos from their PowerPoint presentations should consider whether the amount of data and conversion effort justify the cost. iSpring takes a better approach – while it can also create videos from slides, it primarily deals with animations and text. Even if these elements move, it's not yet a video. Even if the presenter is occasionally shown on video, that doesn't justify video streaming when there are much simpler alternatives. Video providers will disagree, but I don't think a video is interactive. An animated slideshow with a quiz, table of contents, search function, and optional SCORM interface is much more effective. 5. What is the advantage of iSpring over other e-learning authoring software? "Don't make me think!" is the title of Steve Krug's bestselling book on web usability. iSpring doesn't offer nearly as many navigation design options as other tools. It can't do many things, but what it can do, it makes accessible to non-experts – with professional results. With just two clicks, a PowerPoint file becomes an online learning module with optimized navigation for any HTML5-compatible device. Smartphone? Tablet? Desktop? It's that simple! You can always find someone who knows PowerPoint, which is almost enough to create e-learning content. And with PowerPoint, you never start from scratch (as a glance at the PresentationLoad shop demonstrates), to name just one example of iSpring's speed advantage. iSpring is installed software – the user doesn't have a subscription, but rather a perpetual license with a one-time payment. My clients often cite this as an advantage. From an author's perspective, an iSpring module can be modified quickly, and every element can be tested immediately without any waiting time. Last but not least, iSpring received the latest Brandon Hall Award in Gold in the "Authoring Tools" category for its innovative spirit and the implementation of its innovations in real-world authoring tools. And the developers are only just beginning to demonstrate their capabilities. 6. What characterizes a good e-learning module for you? What should it contain? Without knowing the target group and the purpose of the measure, this cannot be answered in general terms. We make sure that learners don't have to deal with the technology – but for this to happen, the authoring tool must automatically meet high technical requirements (SCORM quality, browser-compatible compression, etc.). It also needs to be fun to learn with – ideally because it quickly and directly imparts an important new skill that is really needed. This includes presenting a compelling story that answers the "why" question. It also contains only the information relevant to learning the new skill. And last but not least, consistently thoughtful, modern design: "As they say, the eye learns first." Thank you so much for the interview! Guido Hornig will be at booth B73 at the LEARNTEC e-learning trade fair in Karlsruhe from January 24th to 26th, where he can provide expert advice on creating learning modules with iSpring and PowerPoint.