Content is the key to any e-learning program. By creating the right and effective content you can add a lot of value to your training program. Engaging the participants with the help of authoritative content becomes easier. Engagement brings better learning outcomes.
The challenge for any training especially those who are new to this field, is to create this great content. The question is whether there is a set methodology that one can follow to create effective content? The answer is Yes.
There are some basic steps that all the e-learning content development process must go through. Mentioned below are some of the steps to guide you through the process of creating content.
- Training Need Analysis (TNA): Put yourself in the shoes of the trainee for whom you are creating this content. Understand the existing process and path they follow to achieve their day-to-day activities and goals. Dwell into the already existing skill sets and knowledge gaps. Guage their understanding levels for the type of content you need to include for inclusiveness. Ensure to find out what motivates them.
After you have gathered and understood all of the above, define the learning objective for each module. Include the final outcomes of every module. Emphasize the benefits of taking up the course. If possible, take a simple survey or take a pre-assessment test to assess the knowledge gaps.
- Plan: Gather subject-related information from all sources, especially the subject matter experts as they know the ins and outs of the process they are a part of. Segregate and include only the information required as per your need analysis keeping the outcome required from the course.
To finalize the content of the course, make a framework of the topics or the modules and their sequence. Break down the whole module into smaller steps. Ensure that the language used is easy to understand and clear.
Once the skeleton of the course module is ready, work on each module in detail by creating sections/subtopics and the matter. Keep the information included crisp. Decide on the method of presenting these modules. Whether it will just be a simple bulleted presentation or a video with a presentation elaborating and explaining each point as you would have done in a physical class. While proceeding with each lesson, keep referring back to the learning objectives and include the assessments and practice activities.
- Design: SME’s or subject matter experts are the primary sources of information. Referring to the inventory of material also might be of help. Refer to the already existing training material for information, at the same time ensure that the information is not incomplete or inaccurate. This can save a lot of time and cost for developing the required content. With the focus on the learning objective, ask for specific information from the team leaders. You can create questionnaires to get relevant and specific information.
Converting all the collected information in an engaging and understandable format should be the major focus of the information and content you are going to share with the audience. Explaining through a storyboard helps to keep the focus aligned for all the modules. Do not forget to include the real-life scenarios to explain the modules. If possible pick up the scenarios related to their work.
- Prototype: Once the above task is completed, test the course by testing it. Run it through a group of people like subject matter experts, project managers, etc. This will let you correct or refine the content before finally putting the course online.
Conclusion: Create valuable content with less effort and more accuracy by using the above-mentioned steps. As e-learning modules/courses can be accessed from anywhere, anytime, it helps in reducing the loss of productivity when compared to classroom training. Click on 360 Learning for a collaborative learning platform.