RAPID eLEARNING DESIGN
What is Rapid eLearning?
Rapid eLearning design generally consists of small teams (often just an SME and an instructional designer) creating courses with the assistance of eLearning content authoring tools and template libraries. Rapid eLearning designs normally have basic levels of interactions and simple assessments allowing completion times of weeks instead of months.
Advantages/Disadvantages
Rapid eLearning has demonstrated advantages that impact stakeholders (learners, instructional designers, and organizations that employ this model). There are also key disadvantages that stakeholders should be aware of, especially in how rapid eLearning can negatively impact the end user learning experience.
Advantage #1: Timeliness
One of the most significant benefits of using a rapid eLearning authoring tool is decreased development time. Rapid eLearning authoring tools feature templates, themes, and interactions designed to speed up eLearning course design and development.
Advantage #2: Learner Impact
Fast creation and update times allow for "just-in-time" training that can respond more dynamically to organizational needs. Learners receive training that is up-to-date and relevant to their changing needs.
Advantage #3: Project Management
Small design teams, sometimes consisting of only an SME and instructional designer, create the training materials. The rapid eLearning model takes care of most of the time-consuming work, such as finding third-party images or downloading eLearning templates. Everything is already contained in one multi-functional authoring platform.
Advantage #4: Professional Development
With the remove key roles like project managers, graphic artists, and additional consultants, the instructional gains increased responsibility. Instructional designers assume a greater role in the learning development process and must acquire new skills in order to deliver a quality product.
Disadvantage #1: Learner Attentiveness
Pre-made graphics and templates can give developed learning a "cookie cutter" look. Overuse of graphics and design formats can bring learner disinterest. Also, overuse of the same template, design, graphics and themes make it difficult for learners to differentiate new course from previous ones.
Disadvantage #2: Diminished Learning Process
With the removal of essential roles and personnel (project managers, graphic artists, programmers) from a process, quality and output can be affected. Errors and unforeseen functional and design issues can occur because of the lack of various hands in the effort.
Also, cutting corners on development can create a less effective learning experience. The reduction in development time does not allow an instructional designer to execute all phases of the instructional design models to the depth that they are needed. This can result in an inferior product and a less than ideal learning outcome
Click on the images below to see the example Rapid Resolution Plan