OK! — So what is rapid e-Learning?
One of the great benefits of a rapid e-learning instructional design and development environment is that we can design and create e-learning courses much faster and easier than ever before.
However, going faster and making our job easier are not the only factors.
While many e-learning developers do a good job focusing their attention on the design process, they often neglect the real needs of the organization, customers, and learner. This means that the course might not deliver the results you want it to.
As an rapid e-learning designer and developer, our job is to produce meaningful and effective business results. We do this by balancing the needs of everyone involved — the organization, the customer, and the learner — by leveraging modern rapid e-learning development technology. This entails cutting costs in the usually expensive development cycle, and producing engaging and interactive learning material.
Rapid e-learning requires careful and thoughtful design, and always with the learner in mind, objectives clearly defined, interactive engagement a priority, and learner performance its guiding purpose. However, because of the use of templates and patterns, it can be created faster, at lower cost, and with no compromise of quality than traditional models.
Scoping and needs analysis are kept focused and structured using tools and templates. Design starts with a set of template structures and patterns, and is grounded in what’s possible to avoid open-ended iterations. Design discussions are then very specific, based on the interactions the tools will handle.
The essential difference between the start of the design process in rapid e-learning and traditional bespoke e-learning is the use of design template structures and interaction patterns.
(This page defines our approach and is inspired courtesy of Kineo)
We take a dual path approach to developing e-Learning courses.
- The first path deals with the content of the course. Here, the approach is to provide consistent and relevant content delivered in a timely manner that will also serve as a resource for future reference.
- The second path is in the context. By encouraging the learner to use the information in the real world where the course extends beyond the computer, and engages the learner in the workplace with her manager and peers.
Example of a rapid e-learning development model
We use this model in a wide range of situations as a baseline approach, and apply variations for software, product knowledge, compliance and a range of other learning initiatives. This model is applied to the course as a whole and at each lesson level.
Step 1: Get attention
Test knowledge on the subject or prior experience. Here we may share a key fact or deliver a shock statement.
Step 2: Define direction
The learner must know which road will be taken. Here we discuss what will be covered and how it will benefit the learner.
Step 3: Content Delivery
Here we deliver the meat of the subject and deliver the relevant content concisely. In a rapid e-learning approach we provide only the top layer of detail in the presentation. Specialised additional or in-depth information is handled as supplementary documents or web page links.
Step 4: Exemplify and practise
Next, we demonstrate through example, case study or simulation how the knowledge or software is to be used usually in the real-world work place. We will ask progressive questions to check understanding. Case studies or examples are presented as supplementary documents or links to web pages and software is presented visually as interactive demonstrations and simulations.
Step 5: Summarise
Then, we provide a wrap-up of the key information, in terms of a closing message from your sponsor if they were used at introduction.
Step 6: Action and Support
Finally, here we show what to do next, in terms of the job role and where to get more support. There could be embedded links to online resources such as FAQs, intranet pages or links to subject matter experts or online events such as webinars.
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