E-learning courses are becoming an integral part of training paraphernalia. But not all E-learning courses are effective. Few of them could not even reach the basic level of requirement. But you will understand the effectiveness of the E-learning course after you have done a proper evaluation.
The consideration factors for evaluation of the E-learning course are –
1. Objectives of E-learning course
The E-learning course has some objectives, they need to be referred to. You will have to check the decided goals of the E-learning courses and their clarity as well as specificity and check if the created content does justice to those pre-decided goals.
2. Visual impact
A proper examination of the aesthetic effect of the e-learning course on the learner. If the look and feel, as well as the layout of the course, facilitated the required learning process. Does the color, font, images, and graphics reach the level of symbiosis required for the course?
3. Language
The language used for the e-learning course should be easily comprehensible by the learners, be respectful of the intended audience as well as to the point. The jargon used in the course should be properly explained. If there is the localization of content then the translation should be proper.
4. Time
The time session of the e-learning course should not be too long that the learners experience fatigue and not so short that the topic is barely covered. The ideal time of the session is considered between 15 minutes to 30 minutes.
5. Cost
The cost is an important factor to evaluate. You need to keep in mind that your e-learning course might achieve all the other criteria but if cost is out of budget, then it can not keep going much longer. The cost should be broken down into functional parts in the starting itself, such as the cost of designing and developing the course and then the cost of licensing, etc. These costs should then be used to find out the cost per learner. And then, reusability should also be considered to offset costs.
6. Technical Functionality
All the technical functions of your e-learning course must be working properly. The navigation must be smooth, and the sound effects should be proper. Interaction on the e-learning platform should be ideally intuitive. Does your e-learning program allow for internet access while in session? All the buttons and even the links should be working properly.
7. Interaction
The more the e-learning program is interactive more is the more user engagement as well as knowledge retention. The trainer trainee interaction is very important but as important is the individual interaction with the course. More interaction generally translates into a greater success rate.
The feedback about the major processes and aspects of the e-learning course is very vital. Proper evaluation is only possible after getting data regarding all processes being received and processed. Software such as Paycom is declared a success only after deep evaluation. Paycom reviews also paint a great picture regarding the success of the software.
One last point to ruminate about could be that evaluation is not a one-time thing and does not end. The e-learning course requires evaluation at every stage, such as,-
- At development stage-
Asking the relevant questions to the team of e-learning content generators as well the audience can assure if you are moving in the right direction.
- During the actualization stage-
By tracking the user’s activity and evaluating it properly, can assure if the e-learning program or software is moving towards success or not.
- At the completion stage-
At the end of the course, the surveys can be conducted, proper data collection, and then assessed to reach the judgment if the e-learning course is a success or not.
