Elizabeth,

Here are a few links to publications that may help:

1. Plot the perfect course: Media specifications for e-learning courses

2. It’s [Not] the Technology, Stupid

3. An Instructional Media Selection Guide for Distance Education

4. Asynchronous and Synchronous E-Learning

All good posts and insights. Great to be part of a real discussion with very smart folks.

My group recently went through the "get all ILT on the web" cycle (4th one I've been through with various employers) and there are folks who just think the tech is the solution.

The only way to combat this (again from experience, and I agree that a comprehensive guide really doesn't fit in these situations) is always to put the developers in the mindset of the learner and objectives to be acheived in the very center of the problem/solution.

Anytime a solution is offered and it clearly is short of acheiving the objective or is a poor fit with the learner, you identify the known gaps and then reevaluate tools that will help fill them- which may be a blend of tools.

The only advice I can offer from experience is that compromises will need to be made to move things along, and unfortunately, some folks have to experience the result of a bad choice before accepting it (no matter what evidence is presented); not trying to be negative, just reporting experience. Do your best to compartmentalize the damage, and bite the urge to say "I told you so".