Dr. Carl's E-Learning Surgery

Got an e-learning problem? Need a quick and dirty solution? You’ve come to the right place.

The Abyss of Procrastination

Dear Dr. Carl,

I’m drowning in the depths of procrastination when it comes to creating new e-learning courses. The endless allure of Netflix, social media, and the cozy embrace of my bed seem to conspire against the need for me to earn a salary by building engaging online training. How do I escape this abyss and find motivation to stay on track?

Dear Procrastination Plagued,

Fear not, for the Pomodoro Technique is here to rescue you from the clutches of procrastination! Break your study time into manageable chunks, typically 25 minutes each, followed by a 5-minute break. After completing four cycles, reward yourself with a more extended break. This method transforms your study session into a series of short sprints, making it easier to stay focused. Bid farewell to procrastination and embrace the power of the Pomodoro!

Death by Plugins

Dear Dr. Carl,

I’m an avid e-learning content creator using WordPress to host my courses. Recently, I installed a bunch of plugins to enhance the functionality of my site. While some have been helpful, others seem to be wreaking havoc on my course creation process. The layout is wonky, quizzes are glitchy, and students are experiencing all sorts of issues. It’s a mess, and I’m at my wit’s end. Help!

Dear Tech-Whizz-Gone-Wrong,

Firstly, take a deep breath! It’s not uncommon for plugins to have unintended consequences, but fear not - we can untangle this web. Here’s a step-by-step guide to reclaiming your e-learning kingdom:

1. Identify the Culprits:

Start by deactivating all your plugins and reactivating them one by one. This will help you pinpoint the mischievous ones

causing trouble. As you reactivate each plugin, test your e-learning features to catch the culprit in the act.

2. Prioritise Essential Plugins:

Not all plugins are created equal. Identify which plugins are absolutely crucial for your e-learning functionality and weed out the rest. Sometimes less is more, and a streamlined plugin list can lead to a smoother course creation experience.

3. Update Everything:

Ensure that both your WordPress core and plugins are up to date. Developers frequently release updates to fix bugs and improve compatibility. A lack of updates could be the root cause of your issues.

4. Seek Support:

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the support teams of the plugins causing trouble. Developers are usually more than happy to help users resolve issues. They might have specific guidance or even a quick fix to get your courses back on track.

5. Consider Alternatives:

If a particular plugin continues to be problematic, explore alternative plugins that offer similar functionalities. You might find a gem that not only works seamlessly but also adds extra features you hadn’t considered.

6. Embrace Compatibility:

Check the compatibility of your plugins with your WordPress version. Sometimes, a simple mismatch in versions can cause chaos. Ensure that all your plugins are designed to work harmoniously with your current WordPress setup.

7. Backup and Test:

Before implementing any major changes, back up your site. This ensures that if anything goes awry, you can revert to a stable version. Test new plugins or changes on a staging site first to avoid disrupting your live courses.

Remember, Tech-Whizz-Gone-Wrong, you’re not alone in facing these challenges. With a strategic approach and a bit of patience, you can wrestle back control of your e-learning!

Need Dr. Carl’s help with an e-learning dilemma? Send your problems to dr.carl@dirtywordmag.com