Forum Discussion
Return to Rise lesson/course after closing content link tab
old post I know but.... Elearning modules using best practise should never have links to external folders or pages etc. All modules should be black boxed. Links can break and change, but most users never click on them and if they do, they often do not return. This is usually driven by the SME's wanting a lazy option to update content in the folder rather listening to the learning expert. It should be about the user experience not the SME needs to make their life easy. The SME's role to provide the correct and accurate information based on the user needs and not to instil what is best for them to make their life easy. This should always be outlined in the discovery meeting. This is well written nand researched that adding external links should not be used. Its a bad habit from using them in PPT slides and so it must the same...its not. Elearning modules are are document repositories, and any support documentation should be provided outside of the module through other instructions or, put an instruction and link in the Course description in the LMS as it can be easier to update and fix not if, but when the link fails. That way the module itself it black boxed and if a document needs to be used as part of the training then embed it. Using moving targets that change is not a good or consistent experience for the user.
Totally agree!
unfortunately, in my world that is almost never the case 🤷♂️
I understand, and that is actually part of the reason this situation keeps happening. In many areas PowerPoint and documents are used as reference material, so adding links to SharePoint or live files becomes normal practice. However, an eLearning module is not a document, and once it is published in the LMS it has to remain stable, self-contained, and auditable. Because of this, external links are not considered reliable and are not aligned with learning design or LMS best practices.
This is an area where we need continued education with SMEs, as the conventions used for documents and presentations do not apply to packaged learning. Instructional design, LMS constraints, and compliance requirements mean that the learning team has to apply specific standards, even when this is different from what is normally done in day-to-day work. It is simply something that has been pandered to. Yet, ask them later if behaviour change has been measured, they wont be able to tell you as they stop once the course is published. Or, why do they wonder no one has learned anything. This is another area now that has to be focused on.
For this reason, decisions about how content is implemented in a module cannot be based only on what is most convenient for content owners. The learning team needs to follow established best practices and those standards need to be respected once agreed, otherwise we end up with avoidable issues such as broken links, rework after publication, and inconsistent learner experience. Which is all the time and it needs to change.
There is clear guidance on this in SCORM / LMS implementation guidance, eLearning Guild design recommendations, and ISO learning and development standards, all of which state that learning content should be self-contained, version-controlled, and not dependent on external live documents. Most learning teams are not even aware themselves and are often accepting guidance from people who are not knowledgeable on Adult learning and LMS best practises. My team and I do not take instructions from SME's or stakeholders on learning best practises, just as, when we create compliance training for example, we do not question compliance laws or best practises and make recommendations that we like. Its not how it works. If a tick box exercise is required, I tell them to go somewhere else. Its all about the needs of the learners and what they want to learn and how they want to learn it.
Applying these standards consistently is not about preference, it is necessary to ensure modules work correctly for learners and remain compliant after release.