eLearning Developer

Video-based eLearning may be easier than you think!

Do you have video-based training that you wish to convert into online eLearning, or are you considering creating new videos specifically for online education? If so, the following article may be of interest.

Why convert existing videos into online eLearning?

Suppose you have been delivering video-based training on VHS or DVD. What are the costs and downsides with this approach? First, reproducing and distributing content in this fashion takes time, money, and materials. Additionally, tracking whether employees actually played the content in its entirety is a manual process. By converting your videos into an online delivery format, you can:

1. Require that learners log in to a Learning Management System in order to access the training.
2. Track the learner’s time online viewing the material.
3. Deliver in-line interactivities, quizzes, and post assessments.
4. Automatically track and capture learner performance in a manner that allows for easy reporting.
5. Analyze and improve your training by measuring learner performance, training effectiveness, etc.

How can videos be converted into eLearning?

There are many ways you can leverage your existing video content and produce new online training quickly and inexpensively. First, you can convert your VHS or DVD video into a Flash Video File  (FLV) or some other commonly recognized video format. If you don’t know how to do that, just know that the process is very straight forward for entry-level Flash users. You can then use a rapid eLearning development tool (like Rapid Intake’s ProForm) and with a few clicks of the mouse, create a fully SCORM-conformant eLearning course that includes your company logo, a table of contents (each video segment with its own entry in the table of contents), supplemental quizzes and interactivities (if desired) and more.

The point is that you can quickly and easily chop up your existing videos into “learning objects”, wrap them up into a course package (SCORM conformant for easy upload to LMS), add quizzes and fun interactivities, and more! If you need help converting your video library into great looking, Flash-based, SCORM-conformant eLearning, just use the Ask the eLearning Experts feature on this website.

Creating a new eLearning Instructional Video

Begin with the end in mind. Using your favorite word processor, write a basic storyboard that includes what you want to say, sketches of where you will be or what you will demonstrate, etc. If this is procedural training, write down the step-by-step procedures that you will cover. Create a pre-shoot checklist of everything you will need including any props, special wardrobe, backup batteries or power for video camera and audio gear, and more.

Get a digital video camera and practice using it. Digital video is easier to port over to your computer and edit/manipulate using do-it-yourself video tools. Even web cams come with basic video editing and audio editing software, and they are fairly inexpensive.

Practice delivering your training by following your storyboard as a guide.  Try to speak naturally and forget about the fact that you will be recorded. You are the expert, you know what you are taking about, so just be natural.  Set up props and any equipment needed and perform a couple of “walk-throughs” before taping. Rehearsal is key! Also, check your lighting by shooting some preliminary footage. Finally, listen carefully to any background noise like traffic, air-conditioning, and other noise that you may subconsciously tune out but that will drive your learners crazy!

Record your instructional video. Recruit a volunteer camera person/director who preferably has some basic video or photographic composition experience. Look for someone who studied drama in high school or college. Make multiple takes so that you have plenty to work with in the editing room.  As you record, make sure your steps are clear, precise and understandable.

Check the quality of your initial recordings prior to recording the entire training session. Listen for audio levels that are too low or too high. Make sure the lighting is adequate and that all of the materials and the presenter him/herself are framed nicely.

Record your training as scenes or segments (just like the pros do – Scene 1 Take 1 – ACTION!) if your video is fairly lengthy. Shoot on a schedule if your video is long and can’t be completed in an hour or two. Edit your video if necessary if you have editing software. Add effects, scene change graphics and other enhancements to your video with editing software.

So how much does it cost to hire an outside eLearning company? It depends. There are many different kinds of eLearning companies. There are large content development companies that have substantial staffing and associated overhead to cover, a panoply of “one-man-band” eLearning companies run out of garages around the world, and mid-range “boutique” companies that offer competitive pricing due to low overhead, but that have adequate resources and experience to tackle a wide range of projects. The hourly rates a company may charge is largely dictated based on several key factors:

• Fixed Bid vs. Hourly Costs
• Large brick and mortar vs. Virtual companies
• US-based vs. India or “off-shore”

Fixed Bid vs. Hourly Costs

Many companies will not disclose the actual time and tasks that make up an eLearning development project (fixed bid). While a fixed bid ensures that the vendor cannot go over budget, a conflict is created whereby the vendor’s goal is to keep costs and scope as low as possible, even though the client may discover down the line that it wishes to increase the project complexity. The answer to evolving client needs is often “That’s out of scope so it will cost you more”. This can be frustrating. Whenever possible, work with vendors that offer development programs based on actual work effort. Estimates should be given based on a solid understanding of client expectations, and every effort should be made to come in on time and budget.

Large brick and mortar vs. Virtual companies

There are several large US-based eLearning companies that charge higher hourly or fixed bid project rates because they have a large full-time staff overhead to cover. If a company is not working at 100% capacity, they have to charge hire hourly rates to cover their ongoing costs. For example, even though they may have costs of $40 per hour for an instructional designer, this designer may not be working at 100% efficiency on paid projects. Therefore, the firm may have to charge and extra 15% or more on this person’s time. On the other hand, many one-man-band or small companies essentially hire freelance talent to work on projects on an as-needed basis. While they may charge lower rates, their quality and ability to meet deadlines is suspect.

US-based vs. India or “off-shore”

Many off-shore companies will claim rates of $18-$25 dollars US for eLearning development. Many India-based eLearning development companies are actually quite talented, but low hourly rates do not tell the whole story. While the hourly rates may be low, the actual project costs can end up being much larger as a result of several factors:

• It is not uncommon for any firm that has a signficant time and cultural difference from you to take 3-4 times the number of hours to produce the work you desire. This is not an India-specific issue, but a global fact of doing business.
• Significant time, cultural, and language differences should not be under estimated. These factors remain considerable impedances to eLearning project management including time, cost, and quality.

When comparing eLearning companies, check their portfolio of work and confirm with satisfied clients that the project came in on-time, on-budget, and with minimal frustration.