Practical guide to e-learning for industry

Contents

1. Understanding e-learning

• 1.1 What is e-learning?
  • 1.1.1 Tiers of e-learning
• 1.2 Key features of workplace e-learning
  • 1.2.1 Characteristics of workplace e-learning
  • 1.2.2 Nationally recognised courses
• 1.3 Benefits of e-learning
• 1.4 Barriers to e-learning
• 1.5 Types of e-learning
  • 1.5.1 Synchronous and asynchronous learning
  • 1.5.2 Use of an instructor
  • 1.5.3 Blended learning
  • 1.5.4 Delivery method
  • 1.5.5 Learning portal
  • 1.5.6 Management systems
  • 1.5.7 Learning objects
• 1.6 Costs of e-learning
  • 1.6.1 Costs of e-learning and classroom teaching

2. Deciding about e-learning

• 2.1 What's the training problem, and will e-learning solve it?
  • 2.1.1 Needs assessment matrix
  • 2.1.2 Tools that help from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework
  • 2.1.3 Who are the learners?
  • 2.1.4 Obtaining information about your learners
• 2.2 What if I am a small business?
  • 2.2.1 Free software for e-learning
  • 2.2.2 Support from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework
• 2.3 Is e-learning suitable for my business?
• 2.4 How do I get started in e-learning?
  • 2.4.1 Checklist to get started
  • 2.4.2 Steps in developing e-learning
• 2.5 Who develops e-learning?
  • 2.5.1 How to find a partner

3. Preparing for e-learning

• 3.1 Checking my environment
  • 3.1.1 Communication strategies
  • 3.1.2 Communication tips
• 3.2 Changing the corporate culture
  • 3.2.1 Will management support e-learning?
  • 3.2.2 Will the instructors support e-learning?
  • 3.2.3 A quick quiz about your organisation
• 3.3 Establishing the team
• 3.4 Deciding on an e-learning strategy
  • 3.4.1 Content and learning styles
  • 3.4.2 Preparing instructional objectives
• 3.5 Piloting and trialing
• 3.6 Identifying technical needs
  • 3.6.1 Delivery specification template
  • 3.6.2 How to get started
• 3.7 Outsourcing or in-house?
  • 3.7.1 Tips for outsourcing
  • 3.7.2 Constructing a request for proposal
  • 3.7.3 Arranging a contract for the development of an e-learning course
  • 3.7.4 Arranging a contract for outsourcing delivery
• 3.8 Supporting e-learning
  • 3.8.1 Skills needed by learners
  • 3.8.2 Skills needed by instructors
• 3.9 Evaluating e-learning
• 3.10 Planning for maintenance

4. Funding e-learning

• 4.1 Establishing partnerships and alliances
  • 4.1.1 Things to consider with a partner
• 4.2 Doing it on a shoe string
• 4.3 Finding a content and/or development provider
• 4.4 Estimating costs
• 4.5 Measuring return on investment
• 4.6 Assessing training outcomes
• 4.7 Preparing my business case

5. Managing e-learning

• 5.1 Identifying success factors
• 5.2 Managing external content providers
  • 5.2.1 Project plan
• 5.3 Managing your team
  • 5.3.1 Effective management
• 5.4 Managing documentation

6. Designing e-learning

• 6.1 Profiling your learners
• 6.2 Identifying prior knowledge
  • 6.2.1 Course pre-requisites
• 6.3 Evaluating content requirements
• 6.4 Meeting standards
  • 6.4.1 Tips about meeting standards
• 6.5 Writing content
  • 6.5.1 Preparing content for e-learning
  • 6.5.2 A checklist for e-learning content
  • 6.5.3 Script template
  • 6.5.4 Principles of universal design
• 6.6 Defining look and feel
  • 6.6.1 A design brief
• 6.7 Supporting learners
  • 6.7.1 Scaffolding for e-learning
  • 6.7.2 Help for the learner
  • 6.7.3 Technical support
• 6.8 Identifying technical requirements
  • 6.8.1 Possible platforms for delivery
• 6.9 Assessing learners
  • 6.9.1 Tips about assessments
• 6.10 Involving learners

7. Producing e-learning

• 7.1 Planning production
  • 7.1.1 Production flowchart
• 7.2 Managing change
  • 7.2.1 Organisational change management tips
  • 7.2.2 Changing an e-learning course
• 7.3 Choosing an authoring system
• 7.4 Producing documentation
• 7.5 Managing media
  • 7.5.1 Tips about managing media
• 7.6 Managing focus groups
• 7.7 Conducting user tests
  • 7.7.1 Content testing procedures
  • 7.7.2 Functionality testing
  • 7.7.3 Media testing
  • 7.7.4 A test report template

8. Testing and evaluation of e-learning

• 8.1 Piloting and trialing
  • 8.1.1 A learner evaluation template
• 8.2 Managing focus groups
  • 8.2.1 Selecting a focus group
• 8.3 Assessment of e-learning outcomes
• 8.4 Testing e-learning products

9. Delivering e-learning

• 9.1 Distributing e-learning
  • 9.1.1 Study skills needed for e-learning
  • 9.1.2 A learner contract
  • 9.1.3 Distribution issues to consider
• 9.2 Licencing
• 9.3 Managing the delivery
• 9.4 Reviewing e-learning
  • 9.4.1 An evaluation matrix
• 9.5 Maintaining

10. Future trends

• 10.1 Technologies and trends

Guided tours

Tour for small business owners

Tour for decision makers

Tour for subject matter experts delivering or managing training

Tour for trainer / training manager redeveloping courses for e-learning delivery

Tour for managers in medium to large businesses

Tour for registered training organisations with a distributed workforce

Tour for organisations in an e-learning partnership

Tour for training providers helping their clients move to e-learning

Glossary