Initial Analysis
Although it might be tempting for some, don't just start creating your online content. It is important to first identify learning needs and constraints and then to develop a solid plan to create successful content for online learning.
To begin your analysis, here are some questions you could ask:
-
What needs are you trying to meet by offering online learning?
-
What are the overall goals and objectives for your online learning initiative?
-
Are you sure that online learning provides the best solution for your organization and your participants?
-
Who is the likely audience and what are their overall needs and barriers in terms of online learning?
-
What type of online learning would your organization offer (formal courses, professional development opportunities, general interest training, etc.)?
-
Do you have the necessary organizational capacity (financial, human resources and technology) to develop and deliver your proposed online learning initiative?
-
What technology or technologies would be best suited to the needs and abilities of your organization and its participants?
-
What type of online content will best meet participant learning goals needs?
-
Based on organizational and participant needs will all or only part of your content be delivered online?
-
If you are already offering online learning, what is working for you and what might improve the online learning experience for your participants?
-
If online learning is new to you, will you be developing content from scratch or do you have access to existing content from face-to-face training sessions that could be adapted for online?
Priya Williams of Stylus Inc. has written an excellent overview of many of the basic principles of conducting a needs analysis to design online content. This resource is called “How to Develop an Online Course” and is available at: http://stylusinc.com/online_course/tutorial/process.htm.
