When Have You Had to Overhaul an Existing E-Learning Program?

When Have You Had to Overhaul an Existing E-Learning Program?

When it comes to revamping e-learning programs, professionals from the field, including an Edtech Professional & Instructional Designer, have faced this challenge head-on. Their reasons range from ensuring adherence to quality and best practices to meeting the latest accessibility standards. Alongside these expert insights, we also explore additional answers that highlight the dynamic nature of e-learning and the diverse factors that necessitate its evolution.

• Addressing Quality and Best Practices
• Redeveloping for Real-World Skills
• Updating With Latest Technology
• Incorporating New Educational Research
• Revitalizing to Boost Engagement
• Adapting to Market Skill Demands
• Ensuring Updated Accessibility Standards

Addressing Quality and Best Practices

Overhauling an existing e-learning program could be an impactful decision for one of the following reasons:

1) Quality - Often, initial courses are built with the intent to go up ASAP but overlook effective learning practices. Correspondence to best practices in a rubric could require an overhaul.

2) Feedback - Surveys and requests for feedback inform, "Are the learners achieving the learning they need to be?" Feedback items can suggest the need for an overhaul.

3) Innovation - Finally, an organization may want a cleaner LMS system to upload content into or switch to a different one for efficacy/pricing.

Redeveloping for Real-World Skills

I founded the first Graphic Design program at our university in 2006, updating it in 2008 and again in 2013, when I split it into Foundational and Advanced Graphic Design programs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our university department underwent dramatic changes, necessitating the redevelopment of several programs. My focus was on the Digital Marketing program. A colleague and in-house instructional designers developed the new Graphic Design and Visual Communications program, but upon teaching two sections, I noticed structural and contextual concerns. Specifically, the program lacked a workflow component and a capstone practicum.

I reworked this updated version of the Graphic Design program to emulate a real graphic design project workflow. The program now includes theory and practice sections and covers Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Instead of teaching these as separate units, I integrated them into one comprehensive project.

With my update, students developed a brand for a real-world client, including the logo, brand content, and a finished style guide. They progressed through learning modules that emulated the workflow of a real graphic design project, from concept to digital and print production-ready. Their final assignments included versions of the logo, final brand content assets, and a completed graphic identity style guide.

The results were significant: students created a professional-level body of brand work and a case study of their project, which they can now add to their portfolios. This overhaul not only improved the program but also better prepared students for real-world challenges.

Already, I have seen the difference with graduates just after a few months. One started her own design business and has a full load of new clients. One is pursuing graduate study in design. Others have found design roles in the field.

Updating With Latest Technology

With the rapid pace of technological innovation, existing e-learning programs often become outdated and fail to utilize the latest advancements. This discrepancy hinders the learning experience, as modern tools and resources can greatly enhance educational content delivery and interaction. To keep digital learning environments engaging and effective, it's important to regularly infuse them with current technology.

Failure to do so can lead to a competitive disadvantage, as other programs might offer more cutting-edge experiences. Consider evaluating the digital tools used in your e-learning programs to ensure they meet today's tech standards.

Incorporating New Educational Research

Research in the field of education continually uncovers new insights into how people learn best. These discoveries lead to improved pedagogical techniques that can significantly enhance the effectiveness of e-learning programs. If educational content is not aligned with the most recent research findings, learners might not be receiving the optimum education.

To stay at the forefront of educational methods, it's necessary for e-learning courses to incorporate these insights. Institutions should review the latest pedagogical research and integrate findings into their coursework to maintain a high quality of education.

Revitalizing to Boost Engagement

When user engagement begins to wane, it's a clear signal that the content or delivery method of an e-learning program may no longer be resonating with its audience. Declining metrics in course participation, completion rates, and learner satisfaction point to the need for a renewed approach to engage learners effectively. Revitalizing the program's content, interface, or interactive elements might rekindle interest and motivation.

Ignoring these warning signs can lead to decreased enrollment and the potential obsolescence of the program. Assess your engagement data and consider a revamp to breathe new life into your e-learning offerings.

Adapting to Market Skill Demands

Economic and industry trends can shift rapidly, leading to new demands for skills that weren't previously considered essential. As such, e-learning programs need to adapt to equip learners with the relevant competencies they need to succeed in the ever-changing job market. Without updates to reflect these market changes, learners may find themselves at a disadvantage professionally.

By ensuring that course content is current and relevant to today's industry needs, educational programs can maintain their value and efficacy. Update your e-learning curriculum to address the latest in-demand skills to help learners stay ahead of the curve.

Ensuring Updated Accessibility Standards

Accessibility is a crucial aspect of e-learning programs, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities to learn. Over time, standards for digital accessibility evolve to accommodate a broader range of needs, resulting in the necessity to update e-learning platforms and content to comply. Failing to do so may exclude a segment of the potential learner population and could lead to legal and ethical ramifications.

By conducting regular reviews and applying updated accessibility standards, e-learning programs can remain inclusive and open to all individuals. Implement the newest accessibility guidelines to ensure your program is a place where everyone can learn.