How to manage large amounts of content

Hi,

I'm working on a course at the moment which is also quite content heavy.

I have split the content into different areas and created "frequently asked questions", which is a page with 5 tabs (1 question per tab) which then links to a layer in the slide.

The layers then have a mix of content which is purely text based, some images with markers and some videos.

It still contains a lot of content but it is chunked down into the individual FAQ's and learners can select the information they need to know.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Matthew

You might want to consider removing some of the text and elaborating with audio narration. There is some evidence that learning is more effective when the audio is not identical to the text on the screen, but supports/elaborates on it. Essentially, you could take the entire text-heavy slide and use it as the narration, using a few key words from each for the bulleted items.

If you're really into this, check out this research article: http://agora.unige.ch/tecfa/teaching/staf15/ref/kalyuga.pdf

I agree with you, @Kyle, and thanks for the link to this interesting article.

• If the course has an audio narration, I think it's better to remove the text that says the same. In this case, it's crucial that the voice over is engaging.
• And if it doesn't, then a solution like the FAQ's tab @Matthew mentions, it's what I'd do. In this case, I'd remove all the text that is redundant or can be expressed in less words.

I agree with the other ideas mentioned by previous posters, however you might also consider an infogrpahic approach.

In a previous module that I worked on I transformed the large amounts of text in to a single large infographic.  The learner's view is from a "zoomed out" perspective.

As the learner moves through the course, the view zooms in to the top part of the infographic and then moves pans left/right or down to the sections that they need to cover.  Using built in transitions and animations accomplishes the movement quite easily with Storyline.

(This is a method similar to what Prezi users might lean towards.)

Interesting Pedro...do you have an example?

Kathleen:

Unfortunately I am unable to share the original, however I can whip something up on my own time using some sample infographics.  I'll try and get this up soon.

Pedro, I would also like to see an example of the info graphic. It sounds very interesting.

Thanks.

Hi Sutton and Matthew, have you tried the scrolling panel box? It is super easy to use and it allows you to keep all content on your slide without the hassle of reformatting it creatively or pasting it over various slides.

Check out this tutorial on how to use them.

Just consider-- NO ONE will absorb a ton of text on a screen-- our eyes don't like lots of reading on a screen according to research.  If you are required to present the text, you will need to supplement w/audio narration (and the prezi suggestion is a good one).  Alternately you might provide a brief narrative overview and suggest users consult the resources tab for a fuller explanation-- then attach a doc w/all the text there

As many have already said, use the script/text as the closed captioning. Boil your slides down to one point only. Narrate the additional text since your goal is probably NOT to put your audience to sleep. The battle of too much text on a screen is one waged by many and won by so few. Remember, your e-learning is not meant to be a handout or a teleprompter. If you must include all of the information, add a resource handout and the script. Try to eliminate bulleted points in lieu of a more simplistic approach. Your SME will probably hate the idea, but your audience will love you for it. Perhaps make two versions of the course (more work, I know). One where it is text heavy and boring and another where it is clean, easy-to-read and has better activities.

Here are a few examples of ways to eliminate bullets:

• Five sure-fire ways to get rid of bullet points
• Reducing bullet points and on-screen text
• Bullet points in e-learning
• Build better e-learning courses by getting rid of some of the content

I have sometimes gone for the click and show approach to fit more information on a screen, similar to how people may use a timeline. I've found this useful when content can be broken up into smaller chunks. It also gives the user the impression that they are on the same page rather than clicking through to slide after slide. I've attached a simple example.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/248157654/samples/ClickandShowoutput/story.html 

I think you can do two main things:

1. Is everything necessary? Look at your learning goals and check whether your learners really really REALLY need to know this information. If not, delete it. (A few of the others in this thread have mentioned this already as well).
2. You said: '. There isn't a lot of interaction opportunity with this particular content'. I am a bit stubborn, but: there is always an opportunity for interaction. Do you want to share some of the 'boring' texts so we can help you? I still have to find the first boring text I can't put into something interactive

That is a very nice tutorial, thanks for sharing!

Most of the online lessons preferred are in form of audio or video. For content driven tutorial I will prefer some small slides with all content in bullets. Some pictures describing the points will be more better idea.

This blog post says it and shows it all for you.

http://community.articulate.com/blogs/taylor/archive/2014/01/06/how-to-create-a-panning-effect-using-slide-transitions.aspx