Saving time in coding
This is a somewhat shorter list, since development tools tend to have a lot of utilities and features that make the process very efficient. However, we have two ideas to briefly present, since we are certain that not all e-Learning developers are making good use of these.
Use “tailor-made” templates
If you are just starting out in e-Learning development, or if you frequently have to create short, highly focused tutorials in-house for Web delivery, consider buying a set of HTML templates for e-Learning. These typically cost under $100 and may make it possible for SMEs who know nothing about HTML to prepare content for Web delivery. HTML templates do not require any other software to use, except for a basic HTML editor or a text editor (for the very brave).
Chopeta Lyons points out that whether you buy your templates or design your own, you want to establish your formats and “freeze” your templates early. Changing templates, once the authors have started filling them with content, can lead to time-consuming and expensive re-writing. Incidentally, this rule applies to everything that will fall into the category of “deliverable:” HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Java- Script, and formats for casework inputs, role play narratives, evaluation checklists, examples, and so on.
Use extensions
Extensions are small pieces of code that add functionality not provided “out of the box” by authoring software. The online Macromedia Exchange, for example, offers extensions for Flash MX, Dreamweaver MX, and Fireworks MX. Begin by downloading the Macromedia Extension Manager from http://www.macromedia.com/exchange/em_download/. Each of the products has its own extension page, where you will find a list of the available extensions and a short description of each. So, under the Dreamweaver extensions, you will find L5 SCORM Producer. This extension enables you to take raw e-learning content, developed in Dreamweaver, and produce ready-to-deploy SCORM packages.
Saving time in graphics and multimedia
Joe Ganci suggests, “We determine whether any media elements that might be time-consuming to create could be replaced by those not as lengthy to develop. For instance, is video in the course really essential, even though it is being requested? Do we really need all those 3D animations? Perhaps a still image would be just as effective.”
Chopeta Lyons reflects that when audio recording is involved, always plan on 20% having to be re-recorded or expanded with additional recording time. She believes you should use your judgment and consider starting to record even before final script approval. The audio is another of those elements that always takes longer than you think it will, and if you are recording company staff it never seems to be as easy to get them to come back for a second session.
Other tips to simplify graphics and multimedia production as appropriate to your purpose include:
- Use black and white line drawings instead of hand-drawn art or color photos; often a simpler picture is more effective, since it is easier for learners to pick out what is important.
- Use your scanner to capture appropriate graphics, logos, and so on.
- Use clipart and clip media, when all else fails.
- Use animated GIFs instead of Flash!
Summary
Joe Ganci concluded his remarks with these observations, which make a fitting close to this article:
Sometimes the only way to meet a hard and fast deadline is to set up a “skunk works:” get everyone involved in a room with clear leadership and have them work in shifts around the clock until the job is done. In the twenty years I’ve been doing this, I’ve only had to be involved with this rather drastic approach three times, and in each case it was a smaller project that had to meet a deadline in a week or less. In each case, it worked, though this is clearly a last resort.
The temptation is to avoid all of the above and just get to work right away. This is a mistake. Taking the short time needed to determine the above facts with the client can save enormous amounts of time and money.
All of the above, by the way, not only have the advantage of cutting down on the amount of time needed to design and develop the course, but also reduce the budgetary requirements quite a bit. The end result is that you do all you can to retain the instructional effectiveness of the course, meeting all the necessary objectives, without any extra fluff that can cost the client in terms of time and money. This is an exercise that is useful even when time constraints are not tight! The end result is that sometimes we still have to say “No, it can’t be done,” but the majority of the time we are able to meet the needs of a hard deadline.
