A Guide to Creating Great Quality Custom eLearning
This article explains the five steps that can be taken to create high quality personalized eLearning solutions. Each of the steps and their advantages are explained in detail.
Learning and development is a broad field. It encompasses a rich cross-section of society, made up of very different people. Needless to say, their approach to eLearning and their demands from it are varied too.
In this scenario, developing only one eLearning program and expecting it to cater to an entire cross-section is not viable. Instead, custom eLearning solutions are the way of the future. Custom eLearning can lead to a successful training program.
There are five main ways to improve the quality of your custom eLearning solutions. They are definitely effective as well.
Outcomes Based Approach
The simplest way to make sure that your personalized eLearning program reaches the desired end is to design the program with that specific outcome in mind.
Most eLearning programs are built on the Kirkpatrick model. This model is made up of four levels. It starts with the participants’ reaction, followed by learning. It ends with the results.
Consider flipping this model to its exact opposite, to create a better personalized learning experience. Instructional designers can create learning programs centred on the desired outcome. In other words, start with the results and align the company’s goals with it in a strategic manner. This will help to maximize the impact of the eLearning program.
Create Custom Experiences
A typical modern workplace will have a varied range of employees. They come from different bakcgrounds and have varying needs when it comes to learning. It is definitely one of the biggest challenges for a company to create a training program that ensures engagement from such a diverse workforce.
This is especially true of larger companies, which employ thousands of employees. The bigger the organization, the broader their training programs must reach. For example, many big companies have to train employees with varying levels of experience. Not only that, they often live in different locations. Add to that each individual’s preference for a different training style.
To successfully manage training programs on such a huge scale, personalization is the best option. As the name suggests, under this method the training programs are tailored to meet individual needs, while imparting the same basic information that the company wants.
Personalized programs will make employees more receptive to learning. It will also enhance the quality and importance of your training program.
Tools of the Trade
As with all effective procedures, choosing the correct tools can make or break your work. Just having a great idea is not enough. You also need the right tools to implement that idea. This is true in case of creating personalized learning solutions as well.
Most learning management systems provide advanced authoring tools and features that can be used to create the perfect eLearning experience. Advanced analytics is a tool that is most needed in this creation. These analytics programs help analyse data which in turn boosts the effectiveness of your training program. They can track the progress of individual learners and their level of engagement.
Based on this data, you can make additions and alterations and customize your training program further. This is a win-win situation for all parties involved.
Blended Learning
Applying a blend or a mix of various training methods is a sureshot way to create more learner engagement. Instead of pushing information in a monotonous way, consider using a variety of methods. It will keep the learner interested in your content.
For example, you can use a blend of videos, visuals, assessments and interactive elements like scenario-based learning. This helps to build context around your chosen topics of training. Good quality visuals also impart a sophisticated look and feel.
Interactive components are indispensable when it comes to creating learner engagement. Instead of passively consuming mounds of text, their grey cells are activated when faced with scenario-based learning. They are made to understand that the information they are being given is not only theory, but it has practical application too.
Data
Data analytics are valuable for creating effective training programs. They can track learner engagement and spot patterns in them. Using this data, you can identify which areas of the course can be optimized and which need alterations. The data can also help to identify which learners need specialized assistance.
Conclusion
The aforementioned steps can help to create a successful customized training program. It will have a direct effect on the success of your company, by equipping your employees with tailormade training.