I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I spend more time maintaining courses than I do building them. I'm interested in any tips or tricks that you use to avoid re-recording audio. (Sorry, but not having audio is rarely an option.) One of my pet peeves is when a website gets updated and you have to update navigation instructions. So rather than having step-by-step audio instructions on navigating a website, I might say, "Navigate to the Risk Profiles using the instructions show here." I list the instructions on the screen and if needed include screenshots. (And no, having a direct hyperlink is not an option either - we want to teach them how to fish...)
Do you have any suggestions on avoiding maintenance issues? Thanks!
A few thoughts, though perhaps more general than your original question:
1. "Modularize" your training--that is, package it in small units, so if one process changes, you can limit the damage/maintenance to that one unit (hopefully).
2. Consider other formats (pdf, Word) for training material that's likely to change often.
3. Don't use audio for navigation instructions. I stopped doing that like four years ago, as many have in elearning. Sounds as if a higher up wants it that way, even though it's not all that efficient. I know, I know...you have to pick your battles.
Hi Penny, if you do need audio in the course and Daniel's suggestion doesn't meet your need. Then you may consider using text to speech technology, you don't need to re-recording, only revise text. Take a look at this previous discussion for text to speech.
I completely understand your frustration as I've been in your shoes few months ago. The only solution I came up with was not to record instructions as they keep on changing. But, as you said, not having audio is rarely an option. I start adding two slides before the instructions or simulation and one after.
Slide one : Objectives Slide two: Scenario - optional Last slide - Congratulations
Note: Above are the only slides that have audio. The rest will have callouts.
Reason: The website or processess are keep on changing so, it's better to add callouts than re-record the whole the thing.
3 Replies
Hi, Penny:
A few thoughts, though perhaps more general than your original question:
1. "Modularize" your training--that is, package it in small units, so if one process changes, you can limit the damage/maintenance to that one unit (hopefully).
2. Consider other formats (pdf, Word) for training material that's likely to change often.
3. Don't use audio for navigation instructions. I stopped doing that like four years ago, as many have in elearning. Sounds as if a higher up wants it that way, even though it's not all that efficient. I know, I know...you have to pick your battles.
Best, Daniel
Hi Penny, if you do need audio in the course and Daniel's suggestion doesn't meet your need. Then you may consider using text to speech technology, you don't need to re-recording, only revise text. Take a look at this previous discussion for text to speech.
Hi Penny,
I completely understand your frustration as I've been in your shoes few months ago. The only solution I came up with was not to record instructions as they keep on changing. But, as you said, not having audio is rarely an option. I start adding two slides before the instructions or simulation and one after.
Slide one : Objectives
Slide two: Scenario - optional
Last slide - Congratulations
Note: Above are the only slides that have audio. The rest will have callouts.
Reason: The website or processess are keep on changing so, it's better to add callouts than re-record the whole the thing.
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