In today’s rapidly evolving workplace learning landscape, eLearning has become a cornerstone of professional development and skill enhancement. Learning and Development (L&D) teams play a pivotal role in ensuring that organizations can adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
The demand for high-quality eLearning content is ever-increasing and L&D teams must find ways to deliver it quickly without compromising on quality. This blog explores strategies that Learning and Development teams can employ to efficiently produce and deliver impactful eLearning content.
Brandon Hall Group™ research reveals that eLearning development and the ability to do so quickly continues to be among the top concerns of learning teams. Our 2023 Learning and Development Benchmarking Study shows that eLearning courses have the highest net effectiveness of any learning modality according to survey respondents. The study also shows that authoring tools and Learning Content Management systems are among the top three technologies companies are looking to add this year.
In terms of addressing key challenges with learning strategies, the ability to develop quality eLearning quickly addresses concerns over the ability to upskill employees at the speed the business needs. Meaning enterprise organizations can address all of the learning priorities in the business.
There are principles to keep in mind when building out a rapid content authoring strategy and approach. Learning leaders should keep the following in mind.
Effective Planning and Strategy
The foundation of any successful project lies in effective planning and strategy. L&D teams need to have a clear understanding of the learning objectives, target audience and desired outcomes before diving into content creation. Developing a comprehensive content outline, determining the scope of the eLearning course and setting realistic timelines are crucial steps. A well-structured plan provides a roadmap that streamlines the content creation process and minimizes potential roadblocks.
Agile Development
Adopting an agile development approach can significantly expedite the eLearning content creation process. Agile methodologies emphasize iterative development, frequent feedback loops and collaboration. By breaking down content into smaller modules, L&D teams can focus on creating bite-sized portions that are easier to manage, review and refine. This approach also allows for flexibility to adapt to changes or improvements as the project progresses.
Rapid Authoring Tools
The availability of rapid authoring tools has revolutionized the eLearning landscape. These tools provide pre-built templates, interactions, and multimedia elements that can be customized according to specific learning objectives. Brandon Hall Group™ Bronze Preferred Provider® Elucidat, one such tool, offers a comprehensive solution.
Here are different approaches to rapid authoring leveraging Elucidat’s technology.
- Use a Template — Elucidat’s platform contains pre-built learning templates for a variety of different applications. These are pre-designed and simply require the addition of your specific content to complete. They can be fully customized, removing and adding elements as necessary, to shorten the lead time to learning design.
- Make a Template — For learning teams who are hoping to drive consistency in approach and quality across multiple business units, the ability to create standardized learning templates that can then be deployed to subject matter experts across the enterprise helps to speed up the content creation pipeline while protecting the instructional integrity and quality of the brand.
Collaboration is key in delivering high-quality eLearning content quickly. L&D teams should foster cross-functional collaboration between subject matter experts, instructional designers, graphic designers and multimedia specialists. Regular meetings, shared project management tools and real-time communication platforms facilitate seamless information exchange and ensure that the content creation process remains on track. - Create Variations — The true value of eLearning design often reveals itself in the ability to work from a single source of truth to create courses that target specific audience needs such as language translation and localization, while maintaining the connection to the parent course so content remains current throughout the course lifecycle.
Partnerships
Elucidat offers L&D teams on-demand support from experienced instructional designers for customers using their tools to author training. Stuck on exactly how to make something happen? Confused about the best approach to a particular piece of content? Reaching out to someone with the skills and knowledge to help you overcome that obstacle can save enormous amounts of time in the development lifecycle.
Storyboarding and Prototyping
Before diving into full-scale content creation, developing storyboards and prototypes can be immensely beneficial. Storyboards outline the course structure, interactions, and visual elements, while prototypes provide a tangible representation of the eLearning experience. This approach allows teams to identify potential issues early on and make necessary adjustments, ultimately speeding up the final content creation process. Using Elucidat’s Pages feature, you can add, duplicate, import, and move pages in your project quickly and easily. Get a clear view of your course structure before you add your content.
Automated Assessments and Feedback
Assessment is a crucial component of eLearning courses and automating assessments can significantly expedite the content delivery process. Implementing automated quizzes, tests and assignments not only saves time but also provides instant feedback to learners. This real-time feedback loop enhances the learning experience while reducing the need for manual intervention from instructors.
Continuous Improvement
The eLearning landscape is dynamic and content should evolve accordingly. After initial content delivery, L&D teams should actively seek feedback from learners and stakeholders. Regular assessments of course effectiveness, learner engagement and knowledge retention can identify areas for improvement. By continuously refining and updating content based on feedback, teams can enhance the quality of future eLearning offerings.
Conclusion
In the realm of eLearning, the ability to deliver high-quality content quickly is a crucial competitive advantage. Learning and Development teams play a pivotal role in achieving this by employing effective planning, agile development methodologies, rapid authoring tools, collaborative approaches and leveraging reusable resources. By embracing these strategies, L&D teams can ensure that learners have access to high-quality eLearning experiences that are both timely and impactful.
To learn more about Elucidat and how they specifically can equip your team to develop high-quality eLearning content quickly, visit their resources page or start with this Guide, “How to Create Quick and Quality eLearning Content with Elucidat.” As technology continues to advance, staying adaptive and innovative in content creation processes will remain essential for Learning and Development teams seeking to meet the evolving demands of business and professional development.
