While rapid e-learning can refer to a variety of things, it is most often used to describe the speed with which an e-learning course is created. Rapid e-learning is basically a more expedited process of developing and designing online learning courses. Instead of spending several months or years creating a course, rapid e-learning enables creators to develop content and lessons in just a few weeks or even days. Usually, this is done via narrated videos or PowerPoint, which are devised to provide learners with information conveniently and quickly. The learners are then tested using software, and they are given activities to do on their own in between videos or pre-recorded presentations.
5 Steps to Rapid eLearning Development
Developing a rapid eLearning course isn’t rocket science, but it’s also not a confusing jumble with designers and developers squabbling either. There is a solid five-step process that helps align all of the gears and smoothens the process of creating high-quality online courses.
- Create Specific and Achievable Learning Objectives –
Thorough planning is essential in rapid eLearning development in order to create successful eLearning courses. A lack of clearly defined learning objectives will cause a great deal of doubt and a sub-standard eLearning course. Here are a few questions to consider:
- In what cases is the training useful to the students?
- What should learners be eligible to do after completing the training program?
- Will the training program consist of a single eLearning module or a whole course curriculum?
- How will you assess how much the employees have learned and comprehended? What software for tracking employee training will be most useful?
The answers to these inquiries will assist you in developing SMART learning goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound – which are required for any lucrative eLearning project.
- Complete Learning Content Prior to Development –
Once the learning objectives have been established, it is now time to move on to development. Recognize that rapid eLearning course development heavily relies on old and existing training materials. Even though these older training courses frequently have significant content gaps. For example, old training materials possess only half of the data in written / visually intelligible form, with the remaining portion in the trainer’s head. Sometimes training courses are just so old that the antiquated content is no longer appropriate for the current training requirements.
In such cases, SMEs can assist in updating course content, identifying errors or old information, and trimming any unnecessary content. Before the course is developed, the components and subunits are decided to maintain a proper information flow. Remember that the more concentrated and well-organized your learning content is, the more successful the eLearning course will be.
- Choose an Authoring Tool
Picking the right rapid authoring tool for your eLearning course development is similar to choosing the perfect car: the top ones are those that precisely match your requirements, without having to pay for extra whistles and bells that you will never use.
There are numerous rapid authoring tools available on the market today, and choosing the right one is essential when creating an eLearning course.
Although some authoring tools facilitate the easy and quick transformation of instructional PPTs to eLearning modules, others are ideal for creating courses with a high level of interactivity or scenarios. Similarly, the type of assistance they can provide mobile learning must also be considered.
- Utilize Existing eLearning Templates
Rapid eLearning development aims to save both time and money. Leveraging templates for rapid eLearning is an exceptional way to accomplish this goal. Online course templates not only save money and time, but they can also be customized to satisfy specific training requirements.
Templates can also be streamlined to ensure that all employees have a consistent learning experience. The customized templates can be recycled in future courses once they have been saved. Standardizing templates entails standardizing the visual aesthetic and branding, which brings consistency across courses while saving both time and money.
- Use the AGILE Development Process
The AGILE eLearning development method is a highly iterative procedure that keeps all key players and SMEs informed to ensure smooth and rapid eLearning course development.
This also ensures that rework is kept to a bare minimum and that quality is not sacrificed in the pursuit of a quick course roll-out.
Conclusion
As a result, the development of rapid eLearning has been completed. The course’s true development time may not be within your hands. You can, however, ensure quick delivery by leveling out the initial steps as much as possible. When these five steps are followed, the results are always positive, if not better.
