10 Key Elements Of A Successful Rapid Online Training Course
Rapid eLearning authoring involves quick deployment and consumption. eLearning professionals can develop effective online training courses on a tight online training budget, and employees can get the information they need on a tight schedule. However, you need a few key ingredients to whip up a successful rapid online training course. Here are the 10 essential elements that every rapid online training course should have.
1. Top Notch Rapid eLearning Authoring Tools
It all starts with a rapid eLearning authoring tool that features a rich asset library. This serves as a foundation that your eLearning team can build on. A top-notch eLearning authoring tool should also have an intuitive user interface, corporate eLearning templates, and online support services. Such as online training tutorials and FAQs to help you get the most from the online training platform.
2. Well-Rounded eLearning Team
In most cases, the Subject Matter Expert takes charge of rapid eLearning development. They are already well versed on the topic and are able to identify the key takeaways. However, you may also need a graphic designer, Instructional Designer, and an eLearning Project Manager. This is particularly true for larger corporate eLearning projects with a broader scope. For examples, a series of rapid online training courses that involve diverse topics or tasks. Additionally, you should meet with your eLearning team in advance to clarify expectations and get their input. They may already know which rapid eLearning authoring tools you need for the task.
3. Employee Feedback
Employees know what they like and what they need from your online training course. But you won't be able to tap into this foundation of knowledge without an effective employee feedback system. Conduct online surveys, interviews, and observations to identify their preferences, goals, and expectations. This also saves you the time and expense of having to revise your online training content later on to adjust to their needs.
4. Realistic Timeline
Rapid online training relies on organization and careful planning. In other words, you need to map out every step of the process in order to stay on track. Otherwise, you may end up going over your deadline and your online training budget. Enlist the help of your eLearning team to break the corporate eLearning project into manageable tasks, and then create a realistic development timeline. This should include every aspect of the corporate eLearning project. From eLearning storyboarding to launching the online training course on your Learning Management System.
5. Targeted Learning Objectives
Learning objectives, goals, and outcomes are the guideposts that every member of your eLearning team must follow. They allow you to create online training activities and resources that cater to the needs of online learners and achieve the desired results. Keep in mind that rapid online training materials should focus on one learning objective at a time. For example, an online training tutorial must involve a targeted task, instead of trying to cover all work-related processes.
6. Repurposed Online Training Resources
You may already have online training resources on-hand that you can repurpose for this rapid online training course. Take inventory of your current online training assets and determine how to break it down or jazz it up. For example, a compliance lecture that you recorded last year may transform into a series of topic-centered online training tutorials. Use sound bites from different parts of the lecture and combine them with images and text from your assets library.
7. Effective Online Training Assessments
You must be able to determine what employees know now so that you can create personalized online training content. Pre-assessments also allow you to gauge the effectiveness of your online training course. For example, you can compare the initial results to the final assessment scores to see if they've filled the gaps. The two common online training assessment methods are qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative assessments are ideal for skill and task-based training, while quantitative is best for measuring knowledge, such as compliance comprehension.
8. Microlearning Online Training Activities
Bite-sized online training activities are ideally suited for rapid online training courses. They are easily digestible and accessible, which allows employees to focus on specific online training goals. For example, building a skill set that they need to complete their everyday job duties. Examples of microlearning include online training videos, eLearning infographics, interactive online training tutorials, and serious games. You can also offer employees "moment of need" online support resources by creating a microlearning online training library.
9. Responsive Design Layout
Responsive design online training courses are mobile-friendly. For this reason, you should opt for a rapid online training design layout that automatically adjusts to the needs of your learners. Many rapid eLearning authoring tools and Learning Management Systems now have responsive design features that allow you to create a master layout. The tool then displays the most suitable version of the online training course, based on the device. As an example, an employee using a smartphone may see larger buttons and smaller images. Thus, they are able to navigate the online training course with ease and don't have bulky graphics cluttering the screen.
10. Online Training Evaluation Criteria
How will you monitor the effectiveness of your rapid online training course? How often will you assess your employees and gather their online training feedback? And what will you do to ensure that the online training still aligns with the desired outcomes? These are all questions to address in the evaluation of your online training course. This set of criteria allows you to ensure the success of your corporate eLearning program and achieve the learning objectives. It also gives you the opportunity to create a targeted list of expectations and goals for every member of your organization.
Rapid online training courses are cost-effective and time-saving. However, you need to have all the essentials in order to streamline the development process. You must also provide your corporate learners with the online training resources they require to continually improve. Use this article to gather all of the ingredients and bake up a successful batch of rapid online training courses.
Is rapid really right for your organization, or should you take the traditional approach? Read the article Rapid eLearning Advantages and Disadvantages to explore the pros and cons of rapid eLearning authoring.
