The 5 key steps to building an eLearning program: Step 2 - Design
In my previous two blogs I have provided you extracts from a brand new whitepaper from B Online Learning: A map for implementing or reinventing eLearning successfully, the first week we gave an overview of the key 5 steps and then last week we took a look at the first step: Building your strategy.
This week its the turn of the second key step: eLearning design. Design is a key step for one pretty obvious reason, it tells everyone who you are, what you do and how you plan to get there.
For that reason it is a key step and requires input from all the stakeholders. Gathering their input can be a challenge. We recommend using a mindmap or a concept map to make sure everyone is heard and to keep the discussion at the right conceptual level.
But design is more than the look (the form) of the course its also about the underlying processes and communication tools (the function).
Good design is the marrying of good form AND function.
So what are the key questions you and the design team should be asking?
- How should we organise and manage the eLearning?
- Who is responsible for what element?
- How should we integrate all these elements and who should lead this process?
- What type, approach, content, delivery and assessment methods should we use?
- How do we measure employee performance against learning outcomes?
The key elements of your design should answer:
- What type of learning you plan to deliver; information, performance improvement or knowledge building?
- What approach you will take; live, on demand, include social networking or blended?
- What content; off the shelf, custom developed?
- Who builds the content; in house or outsourced or a mix?
- How will you deliver; LMS/Website/Intranet/CD/Mobile?
- How will you assess; formally or informally, online/practical?
By using these key guidelines for designing your eLearning project you should be off to a flying start! If you would like to read more about the other 4 key steps to building succesful eLearning, why don't you download our complimentary whitepaper, written by Rebecca Verity, B Online Learning's Creative Director.
But tell me, what are your design tips? What would you add to these lists? What would you caution our readers to watch out for?