The e-learning development process begins with a design blueprint which is translated into storyboards or scripts. These are then handed to ‘developers’ who create the course ready for implementation.
In this session we’ll look at the e-learning development process. Whether you are working with an e-learning company, developing it in house or managing a range of freelancers, the key steps are the same.
The first step of any e-learning project must be the design process. In previous sessions we’ve talked about the importance of knowing your learners, thinking about what you want to achieve, considering different approaches and types of content – this is where all that work comes together.
This stage can be called the concept, design strategy or blueprint. Some people split it into a requirements document and a specification. The principle is the same. At an early stage you need to define: audience, learning objectives, approach, technology requirements and narrative themes. Then you need to work out which content will support which objectives and consider how the whole course will fit together. This design process should result in a blueprint for the course: a clear plan stating what will and won’t be included, signed off and agreed by all stakeholders.
Next, the blueprint is used by the instructional designer or scriptwriter to create the storyboard. Often, the visual designer will simultaneously think about how the e-learning might look and discuss this with the instructional designer so that everything works seamlessly.
When complete, the storyboard should provide whoever is reviewing it with a clear idea of how the e-learning will function, with all of the content included and descriptions of interactivity and animation. All of your stakeholders should review the storyboard in detail and make sure they are 100% satisfied with the content coverage and approach. After this stage any substantive changes to the content or approach will begin to cost you development time and money. This is also a good point to start advanced internal communications about the e-learning.
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