There are two important qualities in a training program: content and delivery. Of the two, it is the content that will set the pace for the training process. This is the reason why your initial concern in creating a training program is to come up with custom content that will allow you to meet your goals and objectives.
Your goal for the training program may vary. It can be to help you induct new recruits. It can also be to help update the skills of current employees. Elearning is a great way for you to reach all these goals but you need to begin with custom content before you can proceed with anything.
But what can you expect from the custom content development process?
The first thing that you have to do is to clearly define your goals and objectives. This will allow you to set the parameters that will give your training program some focus. It will also help you identify the content that will be included in this particular training course.
When creating custom content, there are three important things to consider.
Who are the learners?
It helps to begin by identifying the target students in this course. Will you merely convey a generic message that will give new recruits adequate information about the company as a whole? Or will you be concentrating on a specific department within the company?
By defining the learners, you can decide on the tone of the custom content that will be developed. A generic message is great for newbies but the seasoned employees will need a specific and deeper content to help them improve existing skills.
What are their capabilities?
When you have the learners in place, you can slowly outline the content that has to be included in the program. Not only that, you should also define any prerequisite knowledge that the learners have. That way, you do not have to waste your time on lengthy training course because you do not have to start from the ground up. You can start somewhere in the middle because all the employees have the existing knowledge and experience to help you fast forward the course. Not only will this save time and money, it will also help make your training course concise and straight to the point.
What is the available technology?
This is when you will decide how to deliver the training program. Will you be using the Internet, Intranet or will this be delivered in a traditional classroom setting? The platform that you will use can also help you identify the form that the training program will take. Can the existing technology and the knowledge of the learners in the use of that technology allow them to go through asynchronous learning? Or will it have to be done in a traditional classroom? Will hybrid learning be more effective in this environment? These are all components of a custom content that you will have to define to help make the learning process more effective and efficient.
Of course, the custom content development will have to conform with the international standard of SCORM, AICC and SEC 508 to ensure that the learning experience will exceed all expectations.
Make sure that all of these will be discussed by the developer of your custom content so you can coordinate with them in perfect harmony.
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