\n You\u2019ve heard of \u201crapid learning\u201d before. Especially if you\u2019ve read\u00a0this<\/a>.<\/strong> It\u2019s a term that\u2019s been buzzing around for a while, and with good reason.<\/p>\n
Because eLearning providers, and tools like the learning management system<\/strong><\/a>, have made it even more possible for instructional designers to develop and deliver engaging training programs with speed \u2013 and without advanced software skills.<\/p>\n But rapid learning is not just great for instructional designers and trainers.<\/strong> While the term often refers to a rapid learning development cycle that benefits the designer, it also saves the learner time in its delivery.<\/p>\n Too good to be true?<\/strong> Well, sure, rapid learning has its challenges. But we\u2019ve got the golden rules to make sure you master it.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not familiar with the term,<\/strong> you\u2019ve probably guessed that the major difference between rapid learning and \u2018usual\u2019 learning, is the time it takes to develop and deliver. Typically, rapid learning involves creating a course<\/strong><\/a> from start to finish, in just three weeks or less.<\/p>\n How? On such a tight timeline?<\/strong> Well, usually you\u2019d start with existing content from your subject matter expert (SME). Often, these would be PowerPoint slides, physical handouts similar to textbook chapters, or even worksheets. These are then converted into more engaging eLearning activities and elements<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n In most rapid learning projects,<\/strong> your challenge is not so much designing content from scratch<\/strong><\/a>, as it is figuring out how to deliver it in a way that\u2019s engaging, convenient, and of course, fast. This is where eLearning techniques have come to play a major role.<\/p>\n Rapid learning development requires an open mind and a willingness to adapt to new expectations.<\/strong> This can be challenging for seasoned instructional designers and training professionals. But, the advantages of rapid learning are hard to argue with. In most organizations, lower costs for more frequent and effective training are dreams come true.<\/p>\n Of course, there are a number of benefits for the learners, too.<\/strong><\/p>\n Rapid learning usually means bite-sized chunks of content, designed carefully around specific learning objectives.<\/strong> These shorter bursts of content make it easier for learners to visibly progress through the training course, and to get rewarded for each achievement. Even more so with innovations like gamification<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n This instant gratification keeps learners more motivated and more engaged than traditional (slower) approaches to learning.<\/p>\n Depending on your organization and project, a rapid learning course could serve as a prototype for a larger, longer, or more complicated course.<\/strong><\/p>\n By testing its effectiveness before investing in the larger project, you save on the financial burden of large-scale mistakes, but you\u2019re also able to improve the quality of the course before launching to learners across the organization. This means that learners benefit from a more engaging and well-designed final learning product.<\/p>\n Click To Tweet<\/a><\/p>\n A rapid learning philosophy is well-suited to solving problems with existing courses,<\/strong> like making them mobile-compatible, using updated technology, or a more responsive design. A typical example is updating videos<\/strong><\/a> that run on obsolete technology, such as Flash.<\/p>\n Upgrading courses through rapid eLearning development results in a higher-quality,<\/strong> more user-friendly training for corporate learners<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n The process of moving a course online with rapid eLearning tools often reveals surpluses,<\/strong> inefficiencies and redundancies in the traditional training program. Of course, rapid eLearning may not be best suited to every training<\/strong><\/a> need, but the rest of your instructional design work will be made more rapid by the experience.<\/p>\n And the faster you can design and deliver training programs<\/strong> (both online and offline), the sooner your employees can benefit from relevant and engaging content<\/strong><\/a> that enables their learning and development.<\/p>\n Okay, so maybe this benefit is more for the organization. But it\u2019s too important not to mention.<\/strong><\/p>\n Rapid learning tools, such as eLearning authoring tools<\/strong><\/a>, make it possible for the instructional designer to work more independently, and maximize their output.<\/p>\n By using simple software, there\u2019s no more need for the complex and time-consuming coordination<\/strong> between project managers, instructional designers, training managers, graphics and video teams, which is typical of the usually months-long training development process.<\/p>\n This, of course, results in lower costs, easier maintenance, and improved return on investment (ROI).<\/p>\n \u201cRapid\u201d is not the same as \u201crushed\u201d, which usually results in content design and delivery that is unpolished and unprofessional.<\/strong> Actually, the intention of rapid learning is to create a more engaging experience of training content. So, it\u2019s important to remember that you\u2019re still working with an eLearning course, not just an online repository.<\/p>\n So, how do you ensure this lower cost, faster training is also quality training? By drawing on the key tips and tricks below.<\/p>\n As with all eLearning development, you should never forget these important questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u25cf What skills do learners need to master by the end of this course? Know your authoring tools and your LMS, and know how they interact.<\/strong> Sometimes, an LMS provides a gamut of features that can replace the need for an authoring tool – if you\u2019re going for a simple design. Other times you\u2019ll need to put together a full storyboard, graphics and interactive components.<\/p>\n Spec out how interactive you\u2019d like your rapid eLearning course to be right at the start, so that you can choose the tools that best suit your needs.<\/p>\n Take the learner on a journey, even if it\u2019s a short one.<\/strong> Look critically at existing resources, and try to connect them in a way that progresses from simpler learning outcomes to more difficult ones. No resource should seem disparate or random.<\/p>\n But your rapid eLearning course shouldn\u2019t only flow,<\/strong> it should also be chock-full of opportunities for interaction. Have learners react to the information and scenarios through built-in buttons, discussion forums, or other features of your authoring tool and LMS.<\/p>\n Introduce interactivity through problem-solving,<\/strong> and make use of communication and social learning features<\/strong><\/a> that enable peer-learning, too.<\/p>\n Rapid eLearning development really benefits from drawing on best practices and using templates.<\/strong> This requires an upfront investment, but it pays off quickly. It\u2019s no secret that video is one of the fastest growing preferred modes of online content delivery, and with rapid eLearning tools, it needn\u2019t be a lengthy team-effort to create engaging video-based materials that can be used again.<\/p>\n Just don\u2019t be tempted to reuse existing content, simply because it\u2019s there.<\/strong> Use what works, but remember that you\u2019ll add much more value by retooling it, using your instructional design knowledge, and the best principles of digital delivery.<\/p>\n Rapid eLearning development is a natural fit for rapid prototyping.<\/strong> Design, deliver, get feedback, and get it fast. Having a honest colleague (or two) do a test-run of the course, or at least of the most unusual components, can reveal some early-on areas for improvement. Sometimes it\u2019s the speediest bird that catches the worm.<\/p>\n Instructional designers require a thorough understanding of the features of rapid eLearning tools.<\/strong> It might even be necessary to upskill internal training staff<\/strong> <\/a>before undertaking a rapid learning project, especially if they\u2019re not up to date with the latest tools on the market.<\/p>\n Inexperienced or less tech-savvy instructional designers could miss opportunities for interactivity.<\/strong> This can result in a less engaging<\/strong><\/a>, more passive learning experience.<\/p>\nWhat\u2019s Fast about Rapid Learning?<\/h2>\n
The Benefits of Rapid Learning for Corporate Learners<\/h2>\n
1) More engaged learners<\/h3>\n
2) More time to test ideas<\/h3>\n
3) More solutions to legacy issues<\/h3>\n
4) More speed in learning<\/h3>\n
5) Smaller teams plus shorter timelines equals better ROI<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nTools for Rapid eLearning Success<\/h2>\n
1. Ask the right questions<\/h3>\n
\n\u25cf How much time do learners have to master these skills?
\n\u25cf Where can I find preexisting information, (from managers, in a shared folder, the archives, etc.)?<\/p>\n2. Choose your weapons wisely<\/h3>\n
3. Don\u2019t be boring<\/h3>\n
4. Invest and reuse core content<\/h3>\n
5. Fail fast and often<\/h3>\n
\nExpect your first try to have its faults, and be ready to find out what they are so that you can fix them.<\/p>\n6. Be the best<\/h3>\n
That\u2019s a Rap(id)<\/h2>\n