Under Construction.... Content Collection and Creation and more...

If you build it they will come.

Since you have been walking with me through Slade's book The eLearning Designer's Handbook, it is now time to get to content.  

We have completed the needs assessment and determined that there is a need.  We have come together and planned the project now it is time for:

Designing the Learning Solution (Chapter 5)

Slade likens the storyboarding Design Process, to the blueprints of a house.  You have to know what you are going to build before you start.  A good storyboard should be able to answer these five questions:

What topics will be covered during the training?
Who are the learners to receive the training?
What will the learners be able to do once the training is complete?
How will the training be delivered?
How will the training be measured?

One of my favorite statements from this chapter is that "As eLearning and Instructional designers, it is our job not only to collect content but create it." This just resonated with the creative side of my being.  I love curriculum and content and I love to collect and create it.  It felt very validating to read that one simple statement and may sound silly to some but I sometimes feel like a hoarder of sorts when it comes to curriculum. Now it serves a purpose.

Another key point from this chapter is when designing a course, from the perspective of the subject matter expert, EVERYTHING is important to them to put in as content.  But the reality is that not everything is necessary for the learner.   As Slade puts it, "Learners don't need to know things, they need to do things."

This is one area where I may give a little push back.  I don't entirely agree with that statement.  I would argue that they need both.  I want my learners to know and be able to apply the knowledge. I understand the sentiment that not everything is necessary for the eLearning course.  I just disagree with a blanket statement like that. 

This chapter goes on to explain how to create objectives into an action a condition and a standard and to define terminal objectives and enabling objectives which break down terminal objectives.  I liken them to broad standards and sub=standards.  Either way it takes a broad goal and breaks it down into smaller more manageable goals to meet. 

Once objective are considered and created then it is time to think about modalities.  Slade believes that the training experience should be a blend of those experiences that promote the long term learning process.  It is noted that with blended learning, learning retention improves. 

The final part of the chapter talks about using a Design Document to again reconvene all stakeholders and subject matter experts and make sure they are all in agreement as to what the content is, who the audience is, what the objectives are and how they will be measured. Once again this is a document that holds everyone accountable and keeps them on the same page.

I just keep learning some great things from Tim Slade.  What are your thoughts?