Courseware Development and Design

Blended learning (instructor-directed) and remote learning (self-directed) share a singular mission: to allow students to learn where and how they choose.

To produce an informative, lively learning experience, Ken applies an organized approach to the design and production of eLearning content.

An overview of our proven, step-by-step approach used to develop courseware can be viewed here:

ArtofTechPM Collage (72ppi, XL).png — Learning can be fun and engaging

Now, courseware needs to be available how students want to learn: online, live classroom, or a combination of the two. Online, self-paced courseware should always contain a combination of workbooks, presentations, demonstrations, downloadable material, and recorded videos.
The secret is the upfront planning. Identifying common components (templates, sounds, video libraries, …) saves time and gives courseware a consistent look. If you want a great guide on planning courseware, consider reading every page of Tim Slade’s excellent *The E-Learning Designer’s Handbook*. (He has some great free videos, too!)

Voiceovers and recordings

**Brief:** Specifies the strategy and goals of the video project. Identify the tools (PowerPoint, Camtasia, AKG, Universal Audio, Neumann, ...) and recording environment (home recording studio, closet, ...) you’ll use.
**Script:** The voiceover and presentation used in the video project.
**Storyboard:** For each component, a visualization roadmap for the component is created.
**Video component:** The actual component is recorded, edited, annotated, and produced.

Preparation means everything …

Starting with a goal and intended audience, storyboard, outline, or sketch the flow of the recording. Tools like Omni Group’s OmniOutliner, Sketchbook Pro, and MindNode make it effortless to transform into a script.
Once everything is set, practice repeatedly until it feels right. To record, forget about paper scripts. Script pacing apps that highlight your voiceovers in real-time are available for iPadOS (or iOS) devices with SmartPrompt Pro. Twelve South's HoverBar Duo is amazing for positioning the script-pacing tablet near the mic.

About the studio

These are the Must-Haves

Let’s not forget about what should be included in two types of eLearning material: explainer videos and courses.

Where can my course be posted?

You'’ll need a password (to a trial account) to view a Thinkific video lesson

Thinkific LMS

This comes up all of the time. After careful evaluation of learning management system (LMS) sites, we have settled on Thinkific* as one of the best for posting courses and tutorials. This LMS handles everything you would expect a virtual classroom would need:

High-quality streamable videos
Preview “teaser” lessons (can be on Youtube)
Detailed course/lesson descriptions
Resources to download
Closed captions (optional)
Quizzes
Student management and course purchase options (based on logins)
* You may be considering another LMS (like eLoomi, DigitalChalk, …) that supports your overall eLearning goals

But what if you only need something simple?

Screencast

When all you need is a simple place to host eLearning videos that doesn’t require a login or course management features* than an LMS does, TechSmith Screencast may be the answer.

* Although Screencast can support closed captions, markers (chapters), quizzes, user timeline commenting, and other key features, it does not support downloadable assets. (Instead, insert a link to the files on Dropbox.)

Video lesson examples

Here are several example video lessons from actual courses.

One introductory video lesson from the Wi-Fi connectivity course was created for a client experiencing the need to certify field installers. In practice, user guides (which I write) may not be enough. Learners and users with busy schedules prefer viewing a video rather than reading a document.

Two expected benefits: (A) improving onsite installations and
(B) reducing the need to contact customer support

Below are a few short video lessons from the Quick Start: Creating Long Documents with Adobe InDesign course under development and hosted for review on Screencast. Just click twice on the thumbnail to view. Hover over the bottom of the window to select closed captions (subtitles) or to view the chapters (timeline markers).