I am currently the HR Manager of a restaurant company and we are starting down the path of ELearning. I have a real interest in learning how to create the content but it feels a bit overwhelming at the moment.
How did you get your start? Did you just figure it out by trial/error? Did you take a course? What is your background (graphic design, HR, training, etc.)?
Great question! You are correct that starting an eLearning program can be overwhelming. The first place to start is to identify DFRG's learning goals and then slowly work your way, step by step to the content development phase. I see that you have some LMS expereince so that'll help you at the tail end of the project. To get there you'll want to explore these steps, although numbered they don't always follow this order.
Who is your target audience? What are the current training gaps that need to be taught immediately to this audience (i.e., food safety, waitstaff training, kitchen prep). Narrow this down to one course unless you have a team under you :)
Identify the learning objectives and how you are going to measure performance.
Identify your subject-matter experts (SMEs, pronounced smEs).
Write your curriculum which includes the objectives, how you'll teach it (design) and then develop.
Decide on a delivery method. Since you are on this forum, I'm assuming you are looking into a self-paced course. You'll want to confirm with your instructional design team that this is the correct choice given the answers to the questions above. Webinars, video and/ or micro-learning, etc. may be better options both from a business sense and learning effectiveness.
With your SMEs design the learning experience including the assessment.
Develop the course. This may include some or all of the following: graphic design, voiceover, photography, illustration, video and other assets.
Test the course from a technical standpoint and learning focus groups.
Julie has great advice from an Instructional Design standpoint. If you're question was how to get started as someone who develops eLearning content and you're focused on just learning how to design online content and use 3rd party authoring tools (like the Articulate products), then under the "Learn" tab here in the Articulate website, there are books for people getting started in this business.
My arc was I started in training as a facilitator and then Instructional Designer. I designed all sorts of projects from compliance/HR training to new products, both in-person classroom and virtual sessions to online courses to blended learning. I then honed in on becoming an eLearning developer because I really like the craft of developing online learning courses.
It IS overwhelming at first, and depending on your project needs, you may benefit from getting some help. Luckily, you're in the right place! I do freelance work, so if you're interested, visit my site: www.tripointelearning.com. If you're not sure, and even just want to chat, contact me and I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Hi, Robyn -- Looks like you are already getting some really great responses here! And while I will defer to your fellow community members to share their specific experiences and advice, I thought you might want to take a look at this thread, E-Learning Design - How did you get started?.
And for some general resources that are great for those getting started in the e-learning industry, please check out the following:
3 Replies
Hi Robyn,
Great question! You are correct that starting an eLearning program can be overwhelming. The first place to start is to identify DFRG's learning goals and then slowly work your way, step by step to the content development phase. I see that you have some LMS expereince so that'll help you at the tail end of the project. To get there you'll want to explore these steps, although numbered they don't always follow this order.
Best of luck!
Julie
Julie has great advice from an Instructional Design standpoint. If you're question was how to get started as someone who develops eLearning content and you're focused on just learning how to design online content and use 3rd party authoring tools (like the Articulate products), then under the "Learn" tab here in the Articulate website, there are books for people getting started in this business.
My arc was I started in training as a facilitator and then Instructional Designer. I designed all sorts of projects from compliance/HR training to new products, both in-person classroom and virtual sessions to online courses to blended learning. I then honed in on becoming an eLearning developer because I really like the craft of developing online learning courses.
It IS overwhelming at first, and depending on your project needs, you may benefit from getting some help. Luckily, you're in the right place! I do freelance work, so if you're interested, visit my site: www.tripointelearning.com. If you're not sure, and even just want to chat, contact me and I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Good luck! Marissa
Hi, Robyn -- Looks like you are already getting some really great responses here! And while I will defer to your fellow community members to share their specific experiences and advice, I thought you might want to take a look at this thread, E-Learning Design - How did you get started?.
And for some general resources that are great for those getting started in the e-learning industry, please check out the following:
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