Today's society is centered on a blend of technologies that enhance our learning capabilities in a multitude of ways. Collaborative learning and experiential stimulation are promoted through various inquiry-based learning tools, and they are helping to break down and cross barriers between learners, distance, and time. E-Learning tactics include a mixture of instructional media, guidance and coaching, task analysis, and more availability and access than ever. One of the keys to developing a successful E-Learning project is to create a learning culture that will stretch beyond the normal parameters, encouraging learners to stay involved and share what they know. A wonderful aspect to this new-wave model of learning is that there are no limitations. However, in order to be successful, it is imperative you have a plan of action and an established program.
The implementation of an E-Learning project can be daunting and overwhelming, but you will have a better handle on the entire project and outcome if you make a point to educate yourself on some of the known keys to success. You undoubtedly will want to get all the kinks out and do your best to prevent major problems or hiccups down the road, which is why it is never a bad idea to strategize and take note of a handful of tips for getting started. Regardless of your type of business or industry, self-paced E-Learning projects that are engaging and effective can be difficult, but they can also be extremely rewarding and useful. Take a look at the following key points for starting up your own E-Learning project. They will help give you a bit of guidance and steer you toward success.
Keys to a Strong E-Learning Model
Know Your Goals
The first step to developing a strong E-Learning project is to outline and understand your end goals. Clearly defining your goals will help you stay on track and have a more focused view as you get further into the process. As you begin to define your training needs, hire on a staff, and work to provide learners with a quality project, your beginning goals will help guide you.
Determine Your Training Needs
Similar to the first key, it is important that you have a clear idea of what your actual training needs are. It may be a good idea to run a thorough analysis to better determine what material to include as well as how to organize your tasks and concepts.
Bring in Talent
Once you have a clear vision of your goals and needs, you will need to either appoint people within your company or recruit talented outside individuals to help run the project. The people you bring on should understand your goals and be able to manage the entire project. Roles may include instructional designer, subject matter expert, video specialist, analyst, program lead, etc. Regardless of the size of your company, these roles will need to be adequately filled.
Choose and Stick With a Platform
Another of the keys to running a successful E-Learning project is selecting a platform. It is best to choose one and stick with it. This will keep you from getting confused down the line and better allow your learners to become comfortable with the system.
Know Your Budget
It is best to have a budget in place before you launch and get too deep into your project. This will give you an idea of what tools you will be able to use and how long you can afford to keep the project up and running.
Quality Control
It is important to maintain the overall quality of your project throughout its lifespan. This means appointing someone who thoroughly understands what quality assurance is and what your goals for the project are. This role may include creating new courses, fixing program bugs, and installing updates.
A successful and strong E-Learning project can benefit your company and employees in many ways, as long as it is done correctly. Having a set of goals laid out and putting the appropriate people in charge are just two of the many important aspects that you must think of before getting started. Additionally, it is important for you to develop a program that is not only applicable to all participants, but also is respectful of different backgrounds and learning styles. E-Learning training models are an excellent way for you to utilize many of today's technologies and the above tips will help you reach your project's full potential.