6 Essential Steps for Rapid Conversion of Instructor-led Training

Many assume converting Instructor-led Training (ILT) into eLearning is moving their PowerPoint slides and other training resources online, using authoring tools. Some also dump all their classroom resources in a learning management system (LMS) and call that web-based learning. These stereotypes have to be broken when it comes to conversion of ILT to effective technology-enabled learning.

Here are six essential steps you must take to convert your ILT into good eLearning courses, rapidly.

1. Identify Gaps in ILT Content

PowerPoint presentations and other resources used in a classroom contain only 50% of what is actually taught, and the remaining 50% is conveyed by the instructor, in the form of examples, stories, and elaborations. So, you must ensure you cover the missing 50% to give a logical flow to the content.

2. Arrange Content in a Logical Order

In many cases, the content of ILT resources is not organized properly. While converting these resources to eLearning, you have to organize the content in a logical order, to make sense for your employees.

Learning points should be spread evenly throughout the eLearning course. It’s advisable to cover the important points first, before moving on to the less important ones. This will enable your workforce to understand the concept easily. Showing the bigger picture of the concept and dividing it into smaller, easily understandable chunks will facilitate effective learning.

Following the sequence to explain a process or procedure, sharing one idea per paragraph, going from simple to complex concepts in the subject, come in handy to arrange content in a meaningful order.

Check our blog to convert large manuals to engaging online learning.

3. Apply a Relevant Instructional Strategy

Choosing the right instructional strategy to convert the existing instructor-led training can make a world of difference.

Choosing the right instructional strategy depends on:

• Who your learners are
• The subject being taught
• The learning environment of your learners

For example, if your audience is adult blue-collared workers, self-explanatory videos would be best.

If your instructor-led training is about compliance, using scenario-based learning strategy enables learners to identify potential violations.

Sales reps are on the move most of the time. So, they need to learn while on the go. Therefore, you must deliver microlearning modules on their mobiles to train them well.

Check our blog to convert classroom compliance training to online learning.

4. Design Interactivities

Covert PowerPoint slides, study resources, handouts, videos, quiz questions, worksheets, and other classroom training resources to meaningful interactive elements in the online learning course. For example, you can convert the ‘case studies’ used in trainer-led sessions into online scenario-based exercises to impart decision-making skills. You can convert the lists of dos and don’ts to interactive online FAQs. You can also include the following interactivities:

• Hotspots and rollovers for product demonstrations
• Drag and drop interactions for assessments
• Interactive animations for explaining a process

5. Appropriate Use of Visuals

Experts believe that we are programmed to respond to visuals more than words. You can deliver memorable online learning experiences, if you use the right visuals while converting an ILT material to an eLearning course.

Here are some visual representations you can try in your web-based course:

• Infographics to explain an idea/concept/process and to show data in visually
• Characters to include a human touch in your courses
• Screen Captures to show examples, step-by-step guides and how to use software
• Photos to add context to your course content
• GIFs for How-to tutorials and for a “dynamic animated” appeal
• Illustrations to explain parts/features of product/objects
• Visual Notes for explain definitions, key points
• Comics to share a story with visual appeal

6. Choose the Right Authoring Tool

Selecting an authoring tool that allows you to create engaging interactivities and incorporate gamification elements is vital to bring the needed liveliness into your online learning.

You can easily select the right authoring tool based on the following factors:

• Training/ requirement
• Budget and timelines
• Level of interactivities
• Complexity of content
• LMS compatibility
• Mobile compatibility & HTML5 output

Choosing the most appropriate authoring tool reduces much of your work load.

You can convert your instructor-led training resources into meaningful and effective online learning, by following these six essential steps. Hope you enjoyed the post.