LMS Tips: Knowledge Assessment, performance measurement, course evaluation and testing

A Winning E-Learning Strategy: Content, Delivery and Measurement

 

February 2010                            

 

 

Changing times in the virtual frontier make online training standards even more important, including the quality of the learning content, the flexibility of the delivery platform and the measurement of the programs’ success. When you take aim at your open training issues and create engaging learning content, you will establish a universal curriculum that dispenses mission critical information, enhances bottom line performance and increases learner accomplishments.

 

Content Development

 

Aside from the E-Learning delivery platform, which ensures efficiency, economics and convenience, the most important component of any online training program is the course content. Developing rich, substantive and informative content will elevate your quality levels from isolated, one-time authored material to reusable, engaging web-based training programs.

 

Key resources and steps for creating engaging content are:

• Tapping into your subject matter experts or potential developers
• Taking an inventory of existing materials, resources and content
• PPT, Word, Flash, HTML, video and web sites

 

Can ILT Enhance the Learning Experience?

 

Information and Learning Technology (ILT) is the method of using technology to enhance the learning experience, which is the basic premise of a Learning Management System (LMS), using web-based technology to transform, deliver and educate. Incorporating the tenets of ILT will augment your content, help your students beat the boredom and enhance your overall E-Learning program.

 

For example:

• Use sound within an otherwise static presentation: There may be an image in a PowerPoint slideshow, or Flash movie, which could be clicked upon in different areas to provide audio commentary
• Use digital video or digital images for learning activities
• Introduce interactive quizzes, activities and learning screens 
• Use Flash movies for classroom notes, revisions or whole lectures
• Create and encourage collaborative documents within a group environment.

 

Assess, Measure, Evaluate and Test

 

A critical component of any online training program is measuring its’ success. You can incorporate a myriad of post-course assessment styles to evaluate the effectiveness of your course content and the overall achievement of your program initiatives. Consider using open-ended assessments for more substantive student feedback, add hot spots to simulate and add interest to the scenario, task your learners to fill in the blank or offer multiple choice formatting.

 

No matter how you mix it, the data you collect will provide the metrics you need to measure student progress, test the effectiveness of your content and quantify your E-Learning program results.

 

Whether you’re introducing an E-Learning initiative or enhancing an existing online training program, the quality of your content, the efficiency of your delivery platform and the accuracy of your measurements are winning components to your strategy and success.