Well defined scope and objectives:
Every e-Learning course must have a main objective that explains the need for this course and helps in developing the course outline. A well-defined course objective also facilitates the mapping of the content for the course.
Defining the scope and objectives for any e-Learning course will not only guide the development of the course but will also help any reader figure out whether the content is relevant and decide on the logical flow of the content. This will also enable the learner to understand what he will be gaining by taking this course.
Comprehensive yet relevant content:
It is important for an Instructional Designer to understand the content that is to be developed for a course. He should understand the context in which the course is going to be taken by the learner – the what, why, and how of it.
Next, consider the authoring tool. This is a tool that helps the Designer to not only create content but also to package it and send it to the end user or the client. Deciding on the appropriate authoring tool is one of the primary jobs of the Instructional Designer because it is useful in the development of interactive training content which is the backbone of any e- Learning course.
It is very essential for the Designer to decide on the content based solely on the course objectives rather than thinking about what the client wants. More often than not, the client is the major driving force in the development of content for a course. This process is highly detrimental for the course that is going to be developed as well as for the Designer. It will stop the Designer from using his creative talent and knowledge to develop the content.
Easy GUI:
Good visual design does contribute in creating an effective learning environment for the learner. It helps the learner to understand what he sees on the screen, understand the purpose of the elements and thereby, learn about the content by focusing on it. The benchmark of a good training module is not just the content but also the interface and the look and feel of it. A bad interface can lead the learner to believe that it is a sheer waste taking the course. On the other, a simple yet engaging interface helps the learner understand the efficacies of the course better. The challenge for the Designer is always to create something simple and interesting by blending aesthetics with functionality. A lot goes into developing an engaging course that sparks the interest of the learner and makes him want to continue with the course.
High Interactivity:
Having a course which is highly interactive is a good way to ensure the success of the developed course. Page-turners are definitely out of question these days unless there are restrictions for the course. People prefer learning by doing to learning by reading (and answering questions at end). The most common way to make a course interactive is by the use of simulations and scenarios. Simulations model the real world and give a scope to make mistakes yet not get penalized and learn at the same time. Similar is the case with scenario-based learning. It helps in creating engaging learning opportunities that mirror the real life and thus enable the learner to learn by making mistakes.
Well-designed Assessment:
It is imperative for any e-Learning course to have assessment provided along with, be it inline testing or assessment at the end of the course. The assessment should map to the objectives and reinforce learning. Ideally, the assessment should help the learner clear all his doubts based on the course and at the same time, learn a little bit more about the same. A good e-Learning course should provide immediate feedback so that the learner is able to judge how well he has understood the content of the course. The feedback shouldn’t be such that it discourages the learner and makes him feel like he doesn’t know anything, it should reinforce learner. A feel good factor is very important for the learner after he takes the course along with the assessment.
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