Electronic media is indispensable today. We can’t imagine our lives without E-mail, E-commerce, etc. Another important tool of electronic medium is without doubt, E-learning. It is the process of using electronic media like satellite TV, computers, internet and other such avenues in education. E-learning includes multimedia learning, computer-based instructions, internet-based training, web-based training, online education, virtual education etc.
E-learning has gradually taken over static media that is, the printed medium of learning. With more and more people getting net-savvy, the importance of E-learning is being felt immensely.
Important Aspects of E-Learning Content Development
The important aspects of developing the content of an E-learning course include User, Course Structure, Designing, Engaging Content and Usability. We discuss below, each of these aspects in detail to get a better idea.
- User: The foremost aspect is the user for whom the content is being developed. For developing an ideal E-learning content, the developer needs to understand what the user expects from the course. What are the resources available to the user? It would make no sense including an audio clip in the course material if the user does not have the facility to hear it. Hence, proper research needs to be done before developing the course material so as to enable the user to make optimal use of it.
- Course Structure: Once the e-learning developer has determined what the user needs, the next step is to develop the course structure. It is advisable to divide the material into small parts and understand the flow of the content. Making use of graphics, video and audio clips, and interactive learning sessions is advisable.
- Designing: This is an important aspect of any E-learning content development project and is very critical too. The e-learning developer must ensure:
- Easy navigability of the pages
- Attractive look of the pages
- Usage of correct fonts, layouts etc
- A correct balance of text and graphics etc.
- Engaging Content: The content of the course material must be such that the user does not lose interest. For this, the e-learning developer must ensure:
- Incorporation of fun activities, interactive sessions, quizzes etc
- Usage of hyperlinks so that the user does not have to search for meanings, definitions etc.
- Giving options to the user so as to enable him to learn the way he finds best.
- Usability: This is the most important aspect of any e-learning development project. The developer needs to check if the project is working the way it is designed to work. That is, all the hyperlinks, audio clips, video clips and other aspects are working as they are expected to work.
A well developed E-learning project takes into consideration all the above mentioned aspects.