Outsourcing eLearning course development has become a common practice for many organizations, especially those who lack the in-house expertise, resources, or time required to develop high-quality eLearning courses.
Here are some reasons why organizations choose to outsource eLearning course development:
Expertise
eLearning course development requires specialized skills and knowledge in instructional design, multimedia development, programming, and content creation. Outsourcing to a vendor who specializes in eLearning can ensure that the course is designed and developed by professionals with expertise in these areas.
Cost-Effectiveness
Outsourcing can be a cost-effective way to develop eLearning courses, especially for smaller organizations that don't have the budget to invest in the necessary technology, tools, and talent. Outsourcing can also reduce the overhead costs associated with hiring and managing an in-house team.
Scalability
Outsourcing can allow organizations to scale their eLearning development efforts quickly, without having to invest in additional resources or infrastructure. This can be particularly beneficial for organizations that need to develop courses quickly or have a fluctuating demand for eLearning courses.
Quality Assurance
Outsourcing can provide access to quality assurance processes and tools that may not be available in-house. This can help ensure that the course meets industry standards and that the content is accurate, up-to-date, and engaging.
Time-Savings
Outsourcing eLearning development can save time for organizations, allowing them to focus on their core business activities while the vendor takes care of course development. This can be especially beneficial for organizations with limited resources or tight deadlines.
Types of Outsourced Course Development Resources
Here are some of the types of outsourced course development resources that organizations can leverage:
Instructional Designers
Instructional designers are professionals who specialize in creating effective learning experiences. They work closely with subject matter experts to design and develop courses that align with the organization's goals and objectives.
Content Developers
Content developers create the content for eLearning courses. They may be writers, graphic designers, or multimedia specialists who create engaging and interactive content that supports the learning objectives.
Multimedia Developers
Multimedia developers create audio, video, animations, and other multimedia components that enhance the learning experience. They may have expertise in video production, animation, audio production, or other multimedia technologies.
Programmers
Programmers develop the technology infrastructure for eLearning courses, including learning management systems, authoring tools, and other software applications.
Quality Assurance Testers
Quality assurance testers review the eLearning course to ensure that it meets the organization's standards for quality, accuracy, and effectiveness. They may also test the course on different devices and platforms to ensure compatibility and functionality.
Project Managers
Project managers oversee the development of the eLearning course and ensure that it is completed on time and within budget. They may also liaise with the organization's stakeholders and manage communication between the organization and the outsourced team.
Steps to Outsource eLearning Course Development
Here are six steps that organizations can follow when outsourcing eLearning course development:
Define project scope and requirements: Before outsourcing, it's important to define the scope of the project and the specific requirements for the eLearning course. This includes defining the target audience, learning objectives, content, assessment methods, and any technical requirements.
Research potential vendors: Organizations should research potential vendors that specialize in eLearning course development and have experience in creating courses for similar industries or topics. It's important to review their portfolios and ask for references from previous clients.
Establish clear communication: Communication is key to successful outsourcing. Organizations should establish clear communication channels with the vendor, including regular check-ins and progress updates. It's also important to establish a point of contact and ensure that all team members are aware of the project status and timeline.
Develop a detailed project plan: A detailed project plan should be developed that includes milestones, timelines, and deliverables. This plan should be reviewed and agreed upon by both the organization and the vendor before work begins.
Monitor progress and quality: The organization should monitor the progress of the project and review the quality of the eLearning course throughout the development process. This can help identify any issues early on and ensure that the final product meets the organization's standards.
Test the course before launch: Before launching the eLearning course, it's important to test it thoroughly to ensure that it works properly and that there are no technical issues. This can include testing the course on different devices and browsers, as well as reviewing the content and assessments.
About LMS Portals
At LMS Portals, we provide our clients and partners with an affordable SaaS-based, multi-tenant learning management system that allows you to launch a dedicated training environment (a portal) for each of your unique audiences.
We offer a complete library of ready-made corporate training courses, covering most every aspect of corporate training and employee development.
Our platform includes an embedded course authoring tool that enables most anyone to build engaging courses quickly and easily. So you can build your own courses, utilize our off-the-shelf library, or some combination of the two.
If you choose to, you can create Learning Paths to deliver courses in a logical progression and add structure to your training program.
The system also supports Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and provides tools for online coaching and social learning.
Contact us today to get started or visit our Partner Program pages
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