The explosion of Web-based content has lead many to believe that simple attractively packaged information constitutes eLearning. Web-based information may offer global availability, but it needs structure, interactivity, appropriate content and assessment to function as effective eLearning.

Designing eLearning starts with Learning objectives. Learning objectives describe the expected outcome of the training. You may have to perform a detailed analysis of the existing or proposed content to extract these objectives or they may be specific procedures with conditions and standards.

For example, "After completing this training you will..."

Once completed, the Learning Objectives will direct and structure the content you need to present to the trainee and define what you need to assess.

Our approach to content is to structure the information into a series of topics. Each topic will then be presented as a sequence of 'chunks' of information, interspersed with interactions that will assist the learner's understanding of the material. The last part of the sequence will be a summary of the topic's key points. You may create sub-topics if the content warrants, but if this is due to the amount of content, then it may be better to consider breaking up the single lesson into a series of lessons.

We recommend that you begin a project by preparing a document, or script, outlining the information to be presented to the trainee. The advantage of preparing a script is that you are able to plan the structure of your AUTHOR™ Lesson in advance. The script will outline the flow of information and the media resources to be used.

You may cut and paste directly from your script into AUTHOR™  - text can be pasted with or without the formatting of your script document.  The format of the script is entirely up to you, but it should contain all the text information in a form that may be easily checked by your clients or subject matter experts. All training scripts should be signed off by subject matter experts before development commences.