Create an Effective Elearning Program Through Elearning Software Solutions and Team Collaboration

Creating materials and programs for online learning is very difficult because there are many components that are combined to create an online learning system. Components like content authors, and IT departments and are needed to create an effective program. So how does one devise an effective online learning program? Needless to say, tools, such as elearning software solutions are important, but like most endeavors, it requires team work to accomplish a certain project or task. A collaborative effort must come from all of the individuals who are involved developing it. Establishing team work within your developers is the key.

It is very important to include your IT department as early as much possible in developing an online learning system. Sad to say many include their IT department late or until the actual implementation of the online learning system. It is important to work with the IT department know about certain factors like: Software installation, Server space, Customization, Ongoing support, Application development, Maintenance, Legacy system interface and Help Desk Services which are requirements for development.

The authoring team or learning content providers composed of the work force, develops the contents and materials through authoring software. It is very crucial to choose which authoring software the company will use. Choose the authoring software that has many features however let the authoring team work with the IT department, in selecting the authoring tool software which the IT department supports. Authors and the IT department could exchange views about authoring software and would come up with choosing the software that is favorable to both work forces.

Once teamwork is established, set the standards or guidelines for the program that the company is planning to produce. Gather your authoring team and IT department and orient them with the approved guidelines that may include the following:  Style guidelines for headings, numbers, names, punctuation, capitalization, the standard for corporate identity, Guidelines for Graphics, Screen Designs, page layout and other standard that should be followed during the development stage.

Learning content is the heart of elearning because this will determine the success or failure of the online learning system being developed. To provide highly interactive materials and content, authors must find ways to create lectures, quizzes, and instructional video clips that the target audience will appreciate. Conduct a seminar with the company’s research team and authoring team to brainstorm on new approaches on coming up with a better and engaging learning content. The IT department could also be included in the seminar to give the authoring team specifications about the technical capabilities and limitations of their department in relation to supporting the authoring of online learning content. This will guide authors to know which approach is feasible.

The latest elearning software solutions will allow authors to come up with high quality learning content and  through working with the company’s IT Department, authors can create learning content based on the specification given by the IT department. In this way time and effort will be saved in the development stage. Teamwork within the work force could easily spell success for the company’s output.