Do you tend to spend a bit more time than originally planned on elearning course revisions? Fine-tuning your elearning course is an essential part of the elearning course design process. After all, the outcome of the elearning course depends on it. This article features five top tips to save time during the elearning course revision phase and produce a high-quality elearning course.
How to Save Time During Elearning Course Revisions
No matter how in-depth the initial brief and planning is, there will always be an elearning course revision phase. The client might shift the scope of the elearning project or the learning objectives halfway through the project. Or you might realize that your elearning team missed a glitch early on, causing a domino effect that pushes back the launch date. Whatever the case, elearning course revisions are time-consuming but crucial. Fortunately, there are ways to speed up the process without maxing out your elearning budget or upsetting loyal clients. Here are five ways to save time during elearning course revisions.
1. Define the Elearning Course Revision Scope
It is important that you and your client are well aware of the scope of elearning course revisions before beginning the elearning project. You should clearly outline what will be done during the elearning course revision phase, then stay true to your word. A lot of different issues can arise just before launch. For example, the client may attempt to completely revamp the elearning course at the last minute. So, let them know beforehand that things that may have a direct impact on other technical issues, such as script changes, are not part of the package. The elearning course revision phase is for minor changes. Clarifying this makes them more vigilant in the initial stages and saves you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. It’s wise to meet with the client and discuss how you approach elearning course revisions and what that entails. Don’t forget to get everything in writing so that everyone knows what to expect and there aren’t any miscommunications later on. Additionally, specify how long it normally takes to complete elearning course revisions so that clients are aware of the turnaround time.
2. Set Deadlines for Each Phase of the Elearning Course Revision Process
It is important to please your client. However, it is also important to know what is required on your end and when you need to wrap up each stage of the process. No one likes a project to go on with no end in sight. Thus, you must let your client know that they need to get back to you within a certain time frame with elearning course revision requests. This allows you to manage your time more effectively. Also, it’s important that elearning course revisions are sent in chunks. In this way, you can work out a plan to complete the elearning course revisions with the complete picture in mind instead of having to constantly devise a new plan as new information comes your way. If you’re developing the elearning course internally for your own audience, schedules are still a vital planning tool. They allow you to delegate tasks to your elearning team and conduct user testing along the way. Thus, you avoid a lengthy elearning course revision round just prior to launch.
3. Take Care of Elearning Course Revisions Internally
Over the course of multiple elearning course revision rounds, content is usually added or modified based on learners’ needs and evolving learning objectives. As a result, you have small grammatical errors or spelling mistakes that need to be added to the proofreading list. In order to save yourself some time, delegate this task to a specific member of your elearning team. Preferably, someone with an eye for detail who has room in their schedule to filter every piece of content that their fellow online collaborators complete. Provided there aren’t extensive design issues, this revision “middle man” will allow you to breeze through the elearning course revision phase.
4. Keep in Constant Contact with the Decision Maker
There should always be a point of contact when you’re developing online training materials for a client. In fact, it’s best to set some communication ground rules up front, which include:
- You correspond with only one person.
- The person you correspond with is the final decision maker.
The last thing you want is your email inbox being flooded with emails from different members of the client’s team. Also, when you correspond with the decision maker, you will be able to get the final approval for elearning course revisions. You can also clarify confusions quickly, instead of having to check in with multiple stakeholders. Another advantage this offers is that it reduces the chances of unnecessary elearning course revisions being made. In which case, you would have to revert the elearning content back because the decision maker failed to give you the go-ahead.
5. Keep a Record of All Elearning Course Revisions
It is important that you gather all the elearning course revisions requested and keep track of them as the process goes along. This allows you not only to revert back to previous versions of the elearning course but also to refresh clients’ memory in case they question the changes you’ve made. For example, you modify the compliance demo video to include more workplace images as requested by the decision-maker. However, the client states that they prefer another set of photos from their archives. You can refer back to your notes and communications to remind them of the original request. Another option is to invest in an elearning course revision tool that automatically tracks changes for you. Your elearning team also has the ability to share feedback and work collaboratively to update the elearning content.
As any elearning pro can attest, the elearning course revision phase can be rife with challenges. There have been many cases in which the elearning course revision phase was prolonged due to lack of communication. For example, the elearning team failed to discuss the overall elearning course revision plan with stakeholders or even delegate tasks internally. Thus, you need to be clear from the start so that you can avoid delays and a significant amount of stress.
You certainly know that elearning course review tools help you collaborate with your elearning team more effectively, but are there any other benefits of using them that you may not be aware of? Read the article 8 Benefits Of Using eLearning Course Review Tools to discover the 8 most notable benefits of using an elearning course review tool for your next elearning project.
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About the Author:
Christopher Pappas is founder of The eLearning Industry’s Network, which is the largest online community of professionals involved in the eLearning Industry. Christopher holds an MBA, and an MEd (Learning Design) from BGSU.
eLearning Blogger • EduTechpreneur • eLearning Analyst • Speaker • Social Media Addict
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