Rapid eLearning today
Rapid eLearning
Rapid eLearning is the default choice for learning professionals in the current economic climate. The evidence is that multi-hour courses are becoming 20 minutes messages, collaborative development tools are increasing in popularity and delivery times are being squeezed.
What is rapid eLearning?
Rapid eLearning is developed in less than 4 weeks and often uses Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to author the content and produce the course.
In essence, rapid eLearning links SMEs closer to learners - putting the people with the knowledge in direct contact with the people who need it.
From an organization perspective, rapid eLearning requires a lower level of investment, often has a short shelf-life and is of shorter duration than traditional eLearning epics.
What are the characteristics of rapid eLearning?
Rapid eLearning is commonly created from PowerPoint or other imported content or template material. A template approach to content development is recommended throughout to ensure that the SME can focus on the learning rather than the interaction and design.
The assessments in rapid eLearning are often informal, and do not assess performance at a high level.
Audio, graphics, Flash animation and basic video material are commonly used in rapid eLearning. Animation and audio are often sequenced to provide a rich learner experience.
What are the uses of rapid eLearning?
Rapid eLearning is suitable for almost all types of eLearning, including:
- Sales training - sales staff can be trained in new product features before a new product is released
- Just in time training - all staff can be walked through a new IT system to ensure a smooth transition
- Specialist knowledge - knowledge limited to a single expert in the business can be captured in a short course
- Customer learning - short courses can be developed to educate customers in new products
- Regulatory training - rapid elearning can quickly ensure compliance with changing health and safety or data protection legislation
- Developing new skills - rapid elearning can form the knowledge component of a blended soft skills course, e.g. telephone skills
How is rapid eLearning being developed?
A typical model for rapid eLearning development involves an SME and Instructional Designer (ID). However, both these roles can be assigned to an individual with the required experience.
The SME and ID work together to develop content, in the same way as was done with the traditional development model.
The SME is responsible for the draft content, which the ID then reviews and adds instructional value.
The ID also develops the assessment and ensures that it is maps correctly to the objectives of the course.
The ID calls on external consultants for graphic design, template creation and other specialist skills if the course requires it.
Project management for rapid eLearning is a streamlined process that focuses on key areas:
- Brief requirements specification
- Short meetings with stakeholders and SMEs
- Course objective definition
- Agreement on budget, time scales and deliverables
- Definition of content format and ownership
- Review process management
- Course launch management
What are the best practices for rapid eLearning?
The following guidelines are being used to ensure success with rapid eLearning:
- Give SMEs a standard workflow model and guidelines for development
- Build a reusable library of graphics, photography and animations
- Create a fresh and high quality navigation template
- Create and standardize on commonly used content templates, e.g. introduction, objectives, quiz
- Take a learning object-based approach and keep reusability in mind
- Write all narration so that it drives the presentation to your audience
- Rapid eLearning modules are best when they are less than 20 minutes
