As an eLearning course developer, are you sending loads of email but feel you’re still not communicating with your team? Do you find each iteration of your course design sets you back, instead of nearer to meeting completion deadlines? Is your softboard filled with colorful sticky-notes, but you don’t know who’s doing what on the team? Is your final course always out of sync with what course sponsors requested? If using traditional course development methodologies isn’t working for you anymore, it might be time to consider Agile. Challenges of Traditional Methodologies Traditional course development methodologies, like Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE), seek to produce eLearning content through iterative phases. Specialized teams (of Analysts, Designers, Developers, Testers, etc.) lead each “phase” of the process, with the client then having their say on the finally developed product. And there lies the challenge! An analytical flaw … [Read more...] about Agile ELearning Course Development: It’s more than just rapid development
Project Management
Agile ELearning Development: Making the best of user stories
At the center of every agile eLearning development project are the User Stories that underpin that initiative. Juxtapose those stories to the countless amounts of documents that you would create to describe the solution using other methodologies – like ADDIE. That’s not to say that User Stories completely replace all the requirements and design specifications. However, they (User Stories) give solution designers and developers a unique view of the solution from a users’ perspective. How to Frame User Stories Think of User Stories as individual features and functionality traits that users would like to see the solution deliver. These traits will differ/depend upon: The role <Type of User> the user plays when interacting with the solution The outcome <goals or objective> they are trying to produce in that role The value proposition <reason or benefit> they expect from accomplishing those goals Typically, here’s how you would frame a User Story: In … [Read more...] about Agile ELearning Development: Making the best of user stories
Agile ELearning Development: Secrets of Agile meetings success
Meetings are an integral part of any corporate process, including developing eLearning content and courses. BUT…there’s a catch to meetings: They can be taxing on participants (mentally, physically and emotionally), and can be a drain on valuable resources. But there’s good news too: As an eLearning development professional, you can make meetings productive and yet not spend as much time as you currently do. Read on to learn how! The facts about meetings According to research cited by the Harvard Business Review, over the past 5-decades, the number of hours a week spent in meetings has increased by over 130%. Despite technological innovations that cut-down travel, improve communication and enhance collaboration, corporate America spends nearly 23-hours a week in meetings versus less than 10-hours back in the 1960s. In an eLearning development project context, you analyze requirements in meetings, firm up designs, develop learning content and interfaces, and … [Read more...] about Agile ELearning Development: Secrets of Agile meetings success
ELearning Development- The Agile Way!
Since the word "eLearning" was first used at a Computer Based Training (CBT) systems seminar back in 1999, a number of structured design methodologies (ADDIE, SAM) have been used to develop eLearning content. As far as methodologies go, you will be hard-pressed to find two eLearning project managers (PMs) who agree upon which methodology is "right" and which is "wrong". The fact is that many of those "iterative" models, where content is developed using a cycle of repeated processes, have proved immensely resilient over the years in projects that produced high-quality content. However, now, there is a new kid in town. "Agile" (has been around for several years!), and eLearning sponsors and PM's are taking notice of it! What Is Agile eLearning development? To really understand what Agile eLearning development is all about, let's have a brief primer of what an existing iterative model - ADDIE - does. Developed in 1975, at the Florida State University primarily for IT project … [Read more...] about ELearning Development- The Agile Way!
Agile ELearning Development: How to create awesome eLearning courses using the Agile methodology.
What is Agile eLearning development? Instructional Designers always look for the most efficient and productive ways to create courses. However, oftentimes, there is not enough time or resources to create the dream eLearning course. Nowadays, a lot of instructional designers and eLearning specialists turn to the Agile Methodology to help them design and develop their training courses. While recently there has been a lot of buzz about Agile, it hasn’t always been that way. In fact, not too long ago, instructional designers used ADDIE, the linear and traditional approach to designing training. However, as time went on, training professionals came to the realization that they needed a more flexible approach to help them stay on schedule, deliver on budget, and bring concrete outcomes. This is where the Agile methodology comes into play. Agile eLearning development means creating eLearning content in short iterations and delivering something meaningful that stakeholders can clearly see … [Read more...] about Agile ELearning Development: How to create awesome eLearning courses using the Agile methodology.
How to handle customer complaints: 4 effective tips to convert disgruntled eLearning customers into happy clients
ELearning course design is a creative process. Unfortunately, one that’s sometimes fraught with misunderstandings and miscommunication. And when that happens, customers aren’t too pleased - as might be expected! Here are 4 tips on how to deal with customer complaints, and how to turn a potentially bad situation around, and convert it into a long-lasting professional relationship. Dealing with customer complaints Typically, before commencing work on eLearning content, course creators and instructional designers usually sit down with a client to analyze their needs and suggest a solution to the learning challenges being discussed. In some instances, circumstances are such that the designers simply do what the client is asking them to do. Once the designers determine that the deliverables are completed, they submit them for client approval. Usually, if all goes well, the client will accept the content created. There are situations, however, when customers aren't … [Read more...] about How to handle customer complaints: 4 effective tips to convert disgruntled eLearning customers into happy clients
