Tips on how to current e-learning course concepts
I had a dialog the opposite day with somebody who was offered with a considerably boring course venture. We chatted about methods to make it much less boring. Through the dialog, the particular person was involved that the client would by no means go for a unique concept and solely wished the tried and true, click-and-read course.
This can be a frequent problem as a result of the best course to construct is the linear, explainer sort course with info and subsequent buttons. It’s additionally what many shoppers are used to, so attempting to get them to see a unique technique to method the course design is usually a problem, particularly with a decent timeline and restricted price range.
Listed here are a couple of concepts to get you considering.
What sort after all are you constructing?
Decide if the course is an explainer or efficiency course. An explainer course is one the place you current info, however there is no such thing as a efficiency requirement. This may be tough as a result of many programs are associated to efficiency however the course itself might not have a efficiency enchancment angle. Numerous compliance coaching falls into this bucket.
For instance, ethics coaching is vital and we would like folks to be moral. However the coaching tends to give attention to insurance policies and ideas. And the tip measure is a remaining quiz to certify completion. If it was performance-based, then it’d appear to be this:
The group has a rise of provide prices and realizes that workers are taking issues house. The group has a laid again tradition the place taking issues house was tolerated as a result of it wasn’t an enormous deal. In that sense, the efficiency aim is to lower the availability prices by specializing in the ethics of taking issues house for private use.
Explainer programs usually require much less effort and find yourself changing into the default means programs are constructed.
Assist the client see the distinction in e-learning course design concepts
I like to provide the client a couple of demo programs that signify other ways to method course content material. Restrict it to a few varieties of programs. One sort is just too limiting which tends to trigger a variety of scope creep as folks provide you with totally different concepts. And greater than three will be debilitating as a result of it takes time to overview and clarify the entire choices.
The three choices I like to recommend are:
- Easy linear course
- Linear plus some easy learning-based interactivity
- Determination-based interactivity
Right here’s an instance of how this performs out from a earlier weblog submit on creating goals for compliance coaching.
A easy linear course is usually content material. The content material is related, however it’s nonetheless simply content material. And the efficiency measure is a accomplished quiz to certify a base stage of information, publicity to the content material, and attendance.
The subsequent stage is a mix of content material, observe exercise (centered on some related efficiency expectation) after which a method to certify understanding. With compliance coaching, a variety of the content material is already identified, so it’s principally a technique to refresh understanding after which an exercise to observe utilizing the content material.
When there are actual efficiency targets it begins with a present hole in capacity. Assuming that coaching is the right resolution, the course focuses on the kind of content material and actions that the learner must exhibit their capacity to make the correct choices. I attempt to give attention to related decision-making actions.
I like to recommend that you simply convert some compliance coaching that’s frequent within the group to a few variations you can current when assembly with purchasers. It’s content material the consumer in all probability acknowledges. And seeing the identical content material 3 ways allows you to present and clarify the variations and why you’d advocate one over the opposite.
What e-learning course design concept does the client really want?
If the course is an explainer course, then I attempt to hold it linear and so simple as doable. If it’s a efficiency course, I lean in direction of decision-making actions. However I prefer to have the client see the distinction.
The shoppers usually select the second possibility as a result of it’s a sort after all they perceive, contains some give attention to efficiency and interactivity, and is lots faster to construct. That is the place your efficiency consulting hat is available in. The consumer’s alternative stands out as the best for them, however it will not be the correct one. You may information them to the correct resolution when you already know what the efficiency expectations are (assuming they’ve some) and the way the course’s success can be measured.
Clearly, there’s much more that goes into serving to a consumer construct the correct sort of coaching. Hopefully, these concepts assist.