eLearning is developed using a range of methodologies. One of the well-known methods is the ADDIE model. As everyone already knows, ADDIE stands for Analyse, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate.

This is a simple approach to design. Each step encompasses a wide range of activities.

Analyse – this is all the foundation work. The hard yards. It includes:

• Analyse the requirements of the training by identifying the required state and the actual current state (including developing metrics).
• Goals and objectives.
• Learner personas. There should be 4-8 different personas, each persona should identify the learners’ characteristics, role, needs, skills, and learning style.
• How the eLearning will be hosted and what devices it will be used on.
• Delivery and assessment strategy.
• Source materials to develop content from.
• Timelines.

Design – this is where the fun begins. The design phase is where you start to get creative. Things to consider at this stage include:

• Strategy for the three core elements; learning, visual design, and technical design.
• Storyboards.
• User interface.
• Prototype concept/s.
• Graphic design (fonts, colour palette, mood board etc).
• Media (graphics, photos, videos, audio etc).
• Levels of interactivity.
• Feedback mechanisms.
• Cognitive skills required to achieve learning goals.
• Learner styles.

Develop – Now you get to build it. This phase brings together the first two phases. It includes:

• Write content.
• Build multimedia.
• Build interface, interactions, and assessments.
• Code.
• Communications plan.
• Carry out technical and user experience testing.
• Copyright considerations.

Implement – during this phase the eLearning course is put on line. It includes:

• Uploading to LMS.
• Functional testing.
• Communicating to business.
• Enrolling learners.
• Monitoring completion rates.

Evaluate – once the training has been conducted, it’s time to see if it was effective. This includes:

• Gathering and analysing learner feedback.
• Develop evaluation metrics for learner/workplace change.
• Gather information on learner performance in the workplace.
• Analyse data against metrics to determine the amount of change the learning has enabled.
• Report the results.

There are a variety of development processes out there. An awareness of these processes may help you decide what fits you, as well as your stakeholders.