Ever surprise the best way to current e-learning course concepts to your prospects?
I had a dialog the opposite day with somebody who was introduced with a considerably boring course undertaking. We chatted about methods to make it much less boring. In the course of the dialog, the individual was involved that the client would by no means go for a distinct thought and solely needed 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 kind course with info and subsequent buttons. It’s additionally what many shoppers are used to, so attempting to get them to see a distinct method to method the course design is usually a problem, particularly with a decent timeline and restricted finances.
Listed below are a number of concepts to get you pondering.
What kind in fact 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 isn’t 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. A variety of compliance coaching falls into this bucket.
For instance, ethics coaching is essential and we wish individuals to be moral. However the coaching tends to give attention to insurance policies and ideas. And the tip measure is a closing quiz to certify completion. If it was performance-based, then it’d appear like this:
The group has a rise of provide prices and realizes that staff are taking issues residence. The group has a laid again tradition the place taking issues residence was tolerated as a result of it wasn’t a giant deal. In that sense, the efficiency aim is to lower the availability prices by specializing in the ethics of taking issues residence for private use.
Explainer programs typically require much less effort and find yourself changing into the default method programs are constructed.
Assist the client see the distinction in e-learning course design concepts.
I like to offer the client a number of demo programs that signify other ways to method course content material. Restrict it to 3 kinds of programs. One kind is just too limiting which tends to trigger numerous scope creep as individuals provide you with totally different concepts. And greater than three might 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
- decision-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, but it surely’s nonetheless simply content material. And the efficiency measure is a accomplished quiz to certify a base degree of information, publicity to the content material, and attendance.
The subsequent stage is a mix of content material, apply exercise (centered on some related efficiency expectation) after which a method to certify understanding. With compliance coaching, numerous the content material is already recognized, so it’s largely a method to refresh understanding after which an exercise to apply utilizing the content material.
When there are actual efficiency objectives it begins with a present hole in means. Assuming that coaching is the proper answer, the course focuses on the kind of content material and actions that the learner must reveal their means to make the best selections. 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 3 variations which you could current when assembly with purchasers. It’s content material the shopper in all probability acknowledges. And seeing the identical content material 3 ways enables you to present and clarify the variations and why you’d advocate one over the opposite.
What e-learning course design thought does the client really want?
If the course is an explainer course, then I attempt to preserve it linear and so simple as potential. If it’s a efficiency course, I lean in the direction of decision-making actions. However I prefer to have the client see the distinction.
The shoppers typically select the second choice as a result of it’s a kind in fact they perceive, contains some give attention to efficiency and interactivity, and is quite a bit faster to construct. That is the place your efficiency consulting hat is available in. The shopper’s selection could be the best for them, but it surely might not be the best one. You’ll be able to information them to the best choice when you already know what the efficiency expectations are (assuming they’ve some) and the way the course’s success might be measured.
Clearly, there’s much more that goes into serving to a shopper construct the best kind of coaching. Hopefully, these concepts assist. When you have others you’d prefer to share. Bounce into the feedback and tell us.