This blog aims to answer frequently asked questions on rapid e-learning development posed by training managers.
An increasing number of organizations have moved to online training programs in the recent years. Training departments have always had to start small, and scale up fast. This need for developing online training programs at the speed of business, has led to the growth of rapid e-learning.
If you are just getting started with rapid e-learning development, there are a lot of questions that you might need answers to. We have compiled 10 most frequently asked questions on rapid e-learning development, and their answers for your benefit.
1. Why Should Training Managers Consider Going for Rapid E-learning Development?
Rapid e-learning development can offer a better turnaround time when it comes to rolling out online training programs in your organization. The top reasons to opt for rapid e-learning development are:
- Lower cost
- Faster development time
- Quick scaling up of online training programs
- Leverage SMEs knowledge efficiently
Apart from the primary reasons of time, speed, and cost, there are a couple of other situations when rapid e-learning is the right choice. For instance, if you have the responsibility of rolling out a training program that has a short shelf-life, or one that requires frequent updates, or provide just-in-time information, rapid e-learning development is the best decision you can take.
2. Does Rapid E-learning Mean Faster Learning?
Rapid e-learning development is the way to go when you need employees to be trained on new products, or updated policies, or for that matter, any training program that needs to be rolled out quickly. Because rapid e-learning courses present information in bite-sized modules, learners find it easier to complete the training program quickly. Also, this aids in better retention of information. It would be right to say that rapid e-learning means faster learning.
3. Is Interactivity Possible in a Rapid E-learning Course?
Just because it is rapid e-learning, it does not mean that learners want to go through a ‘Click-Next’ course. A certain level of interactivity is required to keep learners engaged. Branching scenarios, hotspots, simulations, click-on images, and drag-and-drop are some of the interactivities that you can add with authoring tools used in rapid e-learning development.
4. What is the Time Taken for Rapid E-learning Development?
Rapid e-learning development grew in popularity because it reduced the time taken for e-learning course development. As compared to the e-learning development process followed earlier, rapid e-learning cut the time taken by more than 40%.
Depending on the type of content, and the media elements used, the time taken to develop a rapid e-learning course of 1-hour duration is between 2-4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the course.
5. How Much Does a Rapid E-learning Course Cost?
This is a question that’s often asked by training managers. Unfortunately, there is no fixed number that can be assigned to the cost incurred in rapid e-learning development. The duration of the course and the level of interactivity to be included in the course are decisive factors for the cost.
For example, rapid e-learning courses that are rolled out to share information may not have a lot of interactivities, whereas product training or process training courses might need more interactivities. When courses need to be translated, or more multimedia elements need to be included, the cost of the rapid e-learning course increases correspondingly. So, the next time you deal with a vendor for rapid e-learning development, have a clear list of requirements, and the vendor can advise you on the best price.
6. Which is the Most User-Friendly Rapid E-learning Authoring Tool?
Articulate Storyline continues to top the list of user-friendly rapid e-learning authoring tools. Since its interface is similar to PowerPoint, it is easy to navigate. It is also easy to learn, making it possible for SMEs too, to contribute toward rapid e-learning development.
7. Can I Convert PowerPoint Presentations to Rapid E-learning Courses?
PowerPoint presentations have always been used in traditional classroom training programs. There are instances where you wish you could convert these presentations that contain a lot of rich information into online training programs. With rapid e-learning authoring tools such as Storyline, iSpring, Captivate, and Lectora, converting PowerPoint presentations to rapid e-learning course development is a breeze.
8. Are Simulations Possible in Rapid E-learning Development?
Simulations are a valuable learning tool. Watch, Try simulations enhance the learning process, especially when you have to train learners on software applications. Contrary to popular belief, simulations are possible in rapid e-learning development. Tools such as Adobe Captivate can be used to build responsive simulations.
9. How to Check if my Content is Suitable for Rapid E-learning Development?
The readiness of your content has a direct impact on the budget, timelines, and resources required to develop an e-learning course. The existing content you have may be in the form of PPTs and PDFs. Check if there is a content gap in the existing content. If yes, take the help of SMEs to address those content gaps before proceeding with rapid e-learning development.
Existing content must be logically arranged, with a clear outline and learning objectives. The content also needs to be aligned with the training goals that you need to achieve with the rapid e-learning course.
10. How to Choose the Right Authoring Tool?
The choice of authoring tool depends on your training need, budget, and to a certain extent on the complexity of the course. With a wide range of e-learning authoring tools available in the market, it is not an easy task to choose the right authoring tool.
- If you are looking to convert ILT programs to e-learning, then Articulate Storyline can be used for quick as well as highly-engaging rapid e-learning development. It is a good choice when you have to recreate existing Flash-based courses.
- Adobe Captivate can be used to design training programs on software simulations. Using this tool, you can also create screencasts that can be delivered on multiple mobile devices seamlessly.
- When it comes to developing translations of rapid e-learning courses, Lectora is the most favored tool. Translated content can be quickly imported and published, thus speeding up the rapid e-learning development of translated courses.
- iSpring can be used to quickly convert PowerPoint presentations to interactive online training programs. All the effects in PowerPoint are retained by this tool, including animations and triggers.
If you plan to outsource the rapid e-learning course to an e-learning vendor, then remember that a good e-learning vendor will take the time and effort to get all your questions answered.
If you have any questions on rapid e-learning development, please do add to this list through the Comments section, and we’ll get the experts to answer your question.
