Translating an instructor led course to online learning

This is from Debby Kalk (I cleaned up MS Word detritus)

 Many training organizations face this question: what kinds of courses will work in an e-learning format? Here are some things to consider:
 

• Does the material require in-person demonstration or practice?
• Does it require specialized equipment, such as CPR manikins, or specific tools, such as a computer with proprietary software?
• Does it require a specialized location, such as a laboratory?
• Does it require face-to-face communication skills, such as mentoring skills?

 
For all of the above requirements, consider doing a blended class with some of the material online and shorter classroom sessions for demonstration and hands-on practice. To envision how this could work, think about learning to drive. You could put all of the “rules of the road” content online, and you could assess online. Then you could schedule a regular class session for demonstration and practice – the behind-the-wheel segment.

Other considerations:
 

• Will the course be delivered more than once? The more frequently you present a class, the more cost-savings you’ll achieve by delivering in an e-learning format. But if it’s a complex course and isn’t delivered often, it might not be cost-effective.
• In addition to frequent delivery, do you train many people? The more people you can reach through e-learning, the more you are likely you are to see significant savings.  
• Will learners benefit from working with peers? To learn some skills, such as communication or management skills, learners need to require practice with other learners. For these requirements, group students into a cohort and have them do team projects online. If they need to hear each other, use a VoIP tool.  
• Learners may also benefit from the motivation and support of peers to prevent a sense of isolation and frustration that can occur in e-learning. You can encourage engagement with discussion boards, chat, blogs, and other communication tools.

 To obtain material from an instructor-led course, one strategy is to capture it by either sitting-in on the class or videotaping it. It’s helpful to go through the instructor’s guide with the instructor to note any strategies that aren’t documented.

It’s particularly important to debrief the instructor to identify areas where learners typically have trouble. These are the areas to concentrate resources on when developing e-learning. You want to provide lots of support to e-learners because they aren’t in front of you in a classroom where you could see if they were confused or frustrated.