How to get this train(ing) on(the)line?
January 19, 2012 10:24 PM   Subscribe

A friend of mine has a training program that is normally delivered to groups in person. They would now like to make the program available to individuals as an online self-study program. What's the best way to do this?

I’m trying to help get this started with as minimal investment as possible. I have some technical skills and a willingness to learn. I think an open source Learning Management System would be the way to go. At a glance I have narrowed it down to Claroline, Ilias, and maybe Atutor.

My friend has specified that, in a perfect world, it would have separate modules that include audio and video, interactive exercises, and a notes area that the trainee can save/edit.

Can you tell me about another Learning Management System, or maybe a Project Management application, or any other ideas or suggestions that might be appropriate?
posted by it's a long way to south america to Education (3 answers total)
 
You need an instructional designer to translate the content for online delivery. You need to consider how learners will be supported (can they ask anyone for help? Will there be online tutors?)

Actually uploading it is the very last step. When you are at that point, why not use Moodle?

I have been through this process. It's not cheap. Online learning generally costs big in development cost.
posted by wingless_angel at 2:56 AM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]


As a multi-media instructional designer, I'd like to 2nd what Wingless_angel said.

I often get presentations that should be 'really easy' to convert to an online class. My clients are shocked at the hundreds of hours it actually takes to 'convert' an in-person course into an e-learning course. The two media are so different that you have to use very different instructional strategies.

I also think that you are getting a bit ahead of the game thinking about LMSs. Your first step should be to do some basic instructional design (start with needs analysis: what do you want the students to be able to DO after they take the class), create your story boards, and research e-learning content creation tools.

Adobe Captivate is a relatively easy to learn tool for creating e-learning modules (approx. $800).
Most LMS's are fairly annoying to implement and require a bit of scripting/coding skills on the part of the implementer. How many people are going to be taking this course? From my experience, if you are going to roll this out to thousands, invest in a really solid LMS that has been around for a while. Many of the smaller LMS systems get very glitchy... Or at least that was the case a couple of years ago.

If you are going to convert to e-learning, please consider hiring or at least consulting with an instructional designer otherwise you will have put a lot of energy into making something that may not achieve the outcomes you are looking for.
posted by LittleMy at 11:53 AM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: I had suggested Moodle and it was turned down. Adobe Captivate looks fantastic, and I will definitely learn more about it. This would be for less than a hundred people each year.

Thank you wingless_angel & LittleMy. Great advice, very illuminating.
posted by it's a long way to south america at 12:55 PM on January 20, 2012


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