Planning and Delivering an E-Learning Course
Summary
Planning an E-Learning 
Course
Delivering an E-Learning Course
Andrew Booth
(for the e-FOLIO Programme Team) 
This presentation will draw on our experiences with the FOLIO Programme and other courses
It will present an issue or problem and ask you to suggest a strategy for tackling it. You should consider your suggestions and then advance to the next slide. This exercise is for reflection only - you do not need to record your suggestions in your portfolio.
Curriculum Content
Storyboarding
Tasks and Logistics
Buddy/Group Interaction
Facilitator Support
Planning an e-learning course takes time but is time well-spent. You need to:
Establish the RATIONALE for the course based on your training needs analysis
DEFINE what the Course is about – what it will try to do and not try to do.
Examine CONSTRAINTS by exploring the logistics of time, resources, staffing, funding, and feasibility.
Determine SCOPE in terms of the level at which it will be pitched, its sequence, duration and curriculum content.
Estimate TIME to be taken in designing and developing the course.  

Planning an E-Learning Course - 1
Planning an E-Learning Course - 2
Identify Subject Experts: It is unlikely that you have all the skills and knowledge to produce a course on your own. Even if you have it will be stronger as a team effort. 
Form Development Team: containing all the expertise that you will require to design and implement the project (e.g. academic, lecturer, graphic artist etcetera).
Assess Available Resources: including any learning objects (course components that already exist):   
Propose a Budget: that acknowledges the time to be taken, the scope, the constraints, and available resources. 

Issue: Curriculum Content
Having identified the topic for your course from a training needs analysis you now have to plan the content of your curriculum. 
The topic is not necessarily one that you know particularly well
How would you develop the content of your curriculum?
Consider your answer then advance to next slide
What we did
We surveyed existing course outlines from the Internet; either specific to librarians or generic.
We examined key textbooks to see what they cover
We conducted literature searches for support materials
We shared our own course outline with external experts 

Issue: Storyboarding
Having resolved the curriculum content you have to decide the ordering and sequencing of content

You have to devise an easy way to plan and manage the course content
What techniques/technology would you use for storyboarding?
Consider your answer then advance to next slide
What we do
We use Microsoft Powerpoint – each task or message is a slide
Responsibility for each task is identified on the slide 
Notes pages are used to record supplementary instructions, resources etcetera
Hypertext links link to resources or learning objects
Slide Sorter is used to organise sequence
Slide Show is used for rapid review of course

Issue: Tasks and Logistics
You have resolved your curriculum content and are now storyboarding the course.
You are now planning the activities that you will require course participants to undertake.

What considerations would you need to take into account regarding task allocation?
Consider your answer then advance to next slide
What we do
Consider the main learning objectives of the course – tasks should support these
Consider the pacing (intervals between) tasks
Consider the adjacency of tasks (e.g. number of reading, writing, reflecting tasks) 
Consider the variety of task formats (e.g. briefing, guided reading, interactive powerpoint, telephone lecture, quiz, competition)
Consider any time dependencies (tasks that must be completed before progressing or knowledge/learning required to perform tasks)

Delivering an E-Learning Course
In delivering a course it is important to create an initial impression that will stimulate development of the learning community. Important ingredients will include: 
Welcome Email and Announcement:
Introductions 
Icebreaker 
Reinforcing of Syllabus – Structure, Linkages, Review 
Established Ground Rules
Valuing of Individual Contributions
Sense of Group Identity and Belonging
Behaviour Modeled by the Facilitator

Buddy/Group Interaction
In delivering the course you wish to provide some form of social support beyond “whole group” activities.

You decide to employ a system of buddy or small group interactions 
What factors would you consider when assigning people to small groups or buddies?
Consider your answer then advance to next slide
What we do
We try to avoid pairing people from the same locality/organization
Where tasks require varied experience we mix up groups 
We try to make groups large enough to be sustainable but not too large
We start buddy/group activities early
We precede task activities with a social activity
We make contingencies for buddy or group problems
We communicate between buddies if necessary

Facilitator Support
You want to provide a supportive facilitated environment to course participants
You are giving consideration to the scale and nature of your involvement as a facilitator

What facilitator behaviours can you suggest to help the course?
Consider your answer then advance to next slide
What we do
Provide responses within 24 hours
Use a team email to ensure cover
Separate Administrative and Course communications
Communicate daily (even if only to manage participant expectations)
Seek to give clear task instructions
Support the Course facilitator with other team roles (e.g. group mentor)

There are no right or  wrong answers – your solution should be determined by the needs of students, the resources available and the course objectives
Nevertheless it is helpful to anticipate major areas for your attention

Further Reading
Allan, B. (2007) Blended Learning: Tools for Teaching and Training. Facet Publishing.
Jolliffe A et al. (2000) The Online Learning Handbook: Developing and Using Web-based Learning. Taylor and Francis Ltd.  
Salmon, G. (2002) E-tivities: The Key to Active Online Learning. Taylor and Francis Ltd. 
Salmon, G. (2004) E-moderating: The Key to Teaching and Learning Online. Taylor and Francis Ltd. 
Salmon, G. (2006) E-Learning: Key to Training Online. Taylor and Francis Ltd. 
Shank, P. (2007) The Online Learning Idea Book: 95 proven ways to enhance technology-based and blended learning. John Wiley and Son Ltd.
Thorne, K. (2002) Blended Learning: How to Integrate Online and Traditional Learning. Kogan Page.