The challenges of producing a manuscript for an e-learning course
Prewise’s Concept Designer Salla Pajalin designs and manuscripts e-learning packages. A concept designer listens to the client and produces the best solution for the client’s training needs.
How does a manuscript for an e-learning course come about? What are the issues discussed with the client in the course of an e-learning project and how are they resolved?
Define the target group and the key messages
- When we start the process of creating an e-learning package in collaboration with the client, the client might have done no more than decide the subject area that the e-learning must tackle. The other extreme is a situation where the client comes to us with what is almost a finished manuscript.
- Whatever the case, it is important to clarify right at the start of the project the target group we should focus and the key messages that it should convey, says Prewise's Concept Designer Salla Pajalin.
Defining the target group is vital in terms of producing an effective solution. The best result is achieved if the target group is sufficiently succinctly defined and their level of knowledge is approximately equal to the subject matter. In such a scenario, the language, expressions, examples and exercises can be formulated so that they reach the target audience and add interest to the content.
Focus on what matters and draw the perimeters At the beginning of the project, the objectives and key messages of the training are reviewed with the client.
- Generally, clients find this stage challenging. The content tends to spill over, because everyone has something important that they want to convey, and it is difficult to leave things out, says Ms Pajalin.
- However, it is not worth trying to communicate everything at once. It is much more worthwhile to divide the whole into smaller training sections. We know from experience that the best learning result is achieved with an e-learning package of some 20 to 30 minutes. If necessary, several such packages can be constructed and entire training courses put together.
- Defining the target group and the subject matter accurately is vital from the point of view of both the client and the concept designer. When this is done, the designer is able to start off on the right track and put pertinent questions to the client, and the end product is exactly what the client has ordered. The cost effectiveness of the project depends largely on the accuracy of the decisions made right at the start as well as staying true to those decisions throughout.
The foundation for a good manuscript
- In addition to determining accurately the target group and the subject matter, the client needs to provide material on which the design work can be based. A rule of thumb is that “more is better”. Extensive material gives us a better insight into the subject.
The concept designer plans and constructs the content and the manuscript for the training as well as the exercises contained in it on the basis of the discussions with the client and the material provided by the client.
There are always additional queries, and it is important to have one designated person who answers them on the client’s side and also has the authority to make decisions, in order to ensure that progress is made with the project.
Often, an e-learning project produces other finished material as a by-product which can be used in the client’s other channels, such as on the intranet, in printed material and presentations. The client is generally positively surprised by this.
The client provides expertise and time
Although Prewise is an expert in e-learning, it is impossible for us to excel at everything. The client is the best expert in their own industry and products.
It is important that the client’s work team consists of people who are specialists in the subject matter that is conveyed in the e-learning package and as such are able to answer questions that may arise during the project. Naturally, the client needs to take this into account when planning resources. The project requires an investment of time by the client.
These days everything is done at accelerated speed. We are used to working to a fast timetable, but speed usually incorporates risks. The project schedule requires commitment by the client, too. The client's project team must allocate sufficient time to review the training and to make comments. If the manuscript, for instance, is reviewed and commented on in good time, the end result is to everyone's liking.
Project model describes tasks and responsibilities
Prewise deploys a uniform and well-tested project model which is applied as a rule in all projects. A harmonised work process brings efficiency and simplifies everyone’s work.
Project implementation is phased, and at the end of each phase we have a Control Point. The Control Point refers to a stage of the project at which progress is reviewed and work to date approved.
Pre-launch assessment is a viable tool
We generally aim to carry out a pilot of the actual e-learning process. The pilot is an assessment by a selected (5 to 10 people) group of users. The pilot uses a draft version or model of the e-learning package.
The pilot tests the effectiveness of the content and its comprehensibility to the target group. The pilot concentrates on identifying issues that may cause the end user to find the study difficult or even abort the process, in which case the learning goals are not achieved. The aim is to prevent this happening before the training starts. The feedback from the pilot phase is always discussed with the client and a joint decision is made about which feedback merits action and which does not.
We deploy an excellent comment tool which makes it easy for the client to comment on the e-learning package page by page. We see the comments in real-time. This means that the content can be altered quickly.
Once any necessary changes have been made, it is time to launch the e-learning package. Generally, the students receive an electronic invitation encouraging them to participate in the e-learning course.
Text: Jaana Raaska