There’s a lot of information out there about how to work effectively as a team, what to expect from your eLearning team and so forth.  But this guide provides an on-the-ground, step-by-step look at how an eLearning team practically works together.

If you’ve missed Part 1 click here and don't miss out on the super cool Infographic too!

4. Developer(s)

The developers often use rapid development authoring software to do their job, such as Adobe Captivate or Articulate Storyline.  This stage of the project is the manifestation that is the most recognisable to the client.

Content is moved into the program and interactions are created according to the notes by the ID.  Quizzes written by the ID are now written into the software program.  Animations are created, either directly in the authoring tool, or in PowerPoint, and then imported in as well.  The media or design specialist could also have a hand in this part, especially if the animations are free standing.  Narration is added and/or text-to-speech is programmed in, this is synced to the content and animations in the project.  Slide properties are adjusted to suit the project.  All external media is inserted for use.  Slides are linked and menus or table of content is created.  And finally, the alpha version of the project is published by the developers.

If everyone else, up until this point, has done their jobs right, the development part shouldn’t take too long.  It’s basically following the ‘script’ and plugging (pre-existing) elements in.

5. Quality Checkers

This is usually a team of reviewers.  They check the overall project after alpha publishing as well as the details of the project.  Nit picking at this stage is some of the most constructive feedback, and sorting those minor things out now, will save a cascaded issue later.  Getting the SME to have a look is also good, as this will ensure that factual correctness is maintained and that nothing was interpreted or represented incorrectly in the process.

This is not the time, though, to be spit-balling new ideas or concepts for the project.  Someone’s ‘great’ idea to rather do this or that, is most likely not going to be implemented at such a late stage in the project.

Reviews and comment are recorded using a spreadsheet or task-based tool like SharePoint or a tool that allows multiple comments from multiple reviewers with the ability to prioritize.  Be as specific as possible with comments because “changing that thing on that slide after the other one” means nothing.

6. Developer(s)

Changes and adjustments are made and the beta version of the project is published.

7. Quality Checkers

Rinse and repeat.

8. Developer(s)

At this point, final adjustments should have led to the final master publish.

The emphasis is on moving forward along the production line.  If alterations have to be considered at step 5 then all the preceding team members have to be involved again.  Make good decisions from the start and stick to them.

In approaching the eLearning project in this way, you allow certain team members to move on to the next project and keep working.  The IDs from step 1 and 2 move onto the next project once their steps in the specific module is complete, as do the media experts and developers..  This is what creates deep, well developed skill sets within the team and creates consistency in development. Everyone begins to get very good at what they do and they all know what is going on, since they work across modules instead of taking on multiple roles within the development of a single module.

Sound Idea Digital specialises in Learning Management Systems and eLearning development | soundidealearningmanagement.co.za
Sandra is an eLearning Specialist & Content Editor for Sound Idea Digital | sandra@soundidea.co.za

To cite this blog article:
Slabbert, S. 2016, June 22. Post Title. the official Sound Idea Digital blog [Web log post]. Available: http://blog.soundidea.co.za/articles/eLearning_Team_Assembly_Line-_Part_2-478.html

Sources used:
Harnett, S. 2011, August 15. Commentary. In Stead, C. 2011, August 9. How do you manage the work in your team?. E-Learning Heroes. [Web log post] Available: https://community.articulate.com/discussions/building-better-courses/how-do-you-manage-the-work-in-your-team [2016 , June 10].