This month’s blog is about whether you should build your own elearning content or commission a specialist to build it for you.
Developing an e-learning program involves numerous stages, including planning, instructional design, user interface design, content creation, asset production, programming (if applicable), content review, testing, and multiple iterations of the above. Each stage requires time and attention to detail, which can add up quickly and in our experience, the effort needed to pull together a high quality programme is often underestimated.
The pitfalls of self-build e-learning
Building your own e-learning program initially appears to be more cost-effective than commissioning one, which seems attractive if your budget is limited. But be mindful that building your own program will be time-consuming and may require additional resources to fill the skill gaps in your own team. Here are some other points to consider:
- Time and resource constraints: Developing an e-learning program can be time-consuming, especially if you‘re starting from scratch. It’s crucial to thoroughly plan the development process (content creation, multimedia production, and technical implementation), allocate sufficient resources, and be realistic about your skills and availability.
- Relevant expertise: Designing instructional materials that effectively achieve the learning objectives, convey information and promote learning requires knowledge of pedagogical best practices, multimedia design, and user experience. Implementing technical aspects, such as learning management system integration, tracking mechanisms, and compatibility testing across different devices and platforms, can be complex. Resolving technical issues and ensuring a smooth user experience can take considerable effort and troubleshooting. If you don't have experience or expertise in these areas you may struggle to create an effective and engaging learning experience.
- Learning curve: If you’re not familiar with e-learning development tools, software, or instructional design principles, there will be a learning curve involved. Learning how to use authoring tools, create interactive elements, and design engaging learning experiences takes time and practice.
- Quality Content: Creating high-quality content for e-learning requires thorough research and structuring of information. It involves developing instructional materials, writing scripts, creating quality visuals and potentially audio or video. All of these tasks require you to understand best practice some technical know-how.
- Interactivity and engagement: Interactive elements and user engagement are crucial for effective e-learning. Incorporating media elements like graphics, videos, and animations can significantly enhance the learning experience. However, producing or sourcing these assets can be time-consuming. Editing videos, designing custom graphics, or finding appropriate stock assets can all contribute to the overall time investment and require software skills. Developing these interactive components can be complex if you’re not familiar with authoring tools or programming languages. Without interactivity and engagement, learners may struggle to stay motivated and retain the information effectively.
- Inconsistent quality: Without the expertise of an instructional designer or e-learning professional, the quality and consistency of the learning materials may vary. Inconsistencies in content presentation, design elements, or user interface can affect the user experience and engagement.
- Accessibility and compatibility challenges: Ensuring your e-learning content is accessible to all learners and compatible with various devices and platforms can be technically demanding. Accessibility considerations include providing alternative formats for learners with disabilities, optimising for different screen sizes, and accommodating different web browsers and operating systems. All in a day’s work for a specialist.
- Support: Consider the level of support you'll need during the development and ongoing. Building your own program may require additional resources and support, such as technical and specialist assistance. Commissioning freelancers may include ongoing support as part of the contract.
- Tracking and evaluation: Developing an e-learning program yourself may limit your ability to gather comprehensive learner feedback and conduct effective evaluation. Implementing technical aspects, such as learning management system integration, tracking mechanisms, and compatibility testing across different devices and platforms, can be complex. Resolving technical issues and ensuring a smooth user experience can take considerable effort and troubleshooting. Without proper tracking mechanisms or assessment strategies, it can be challenging to measure the effectiveness of the program or identify areas for improvement.
The benefit of experience
To overcome these potential pitfalls, consider seeking guidance or support from experienced e-learning professionals who can provide insight, experience, and help streamline the development process, so you can bring your expertise in the content and understanding of the audience to bear.
Probably the most important considerations when deciding whether to hire an expert are your budget and resources. If you have the necessary skills, time, and resources to commit to designing a high-quality e-learning program yourself, then it becomes a viable option. But if you want to ensure a professional and impactful e-learning experience that delivers the learning environment and desired outcomes without impacting your day job, we recommend working with an expert.