Building and Launching Courses: Learning Package

A learning package is a comprehensive collection of materials and resources in SCORM, AICC, xAPI, Web Archive, or PPT format, and is designed to facilitate effective learning in an online course. Creating a well-structured learning package is crucial for ensuring a cohesive and engaging learning experience for students.

Uploading a Learning Package

1. From the Course Elements page, click Add Element and select Learning Package from the list of options. 
2. Add a title for your element, and click Save
3. Click the Content tab, and click Upload Content. This will bring up your local drive where you can upload your file. 
4. **Important things to note:**
   1. SCORM files must be in 1.2 format. 
   2. The file must be in .zip before uploading into DigitalChalk
   3. Once you have begun uploading a file, it is recommended practice to remain on the page until it is complete. 
5. Once your upload is complete, make sure to choose the file you just uploaded to attach to the element. 

Organize Content Logically

Structure your learning package in a way that guides students through the course material in a logical sequence. Consider using a modular approach, organizing content into distinct units or topics.

Align with Learning Objectives

Ensure that every component of the learning package directly supports the course’s learning objectives. This alignment helps students understand the purpose of each element and how it contributes to their overall learning.

Provide Clear Navigation

Create a user-friendly interface that allows students to easily navigate through the learning package. Use consistent naming conventions and provide clear instructions on how to access and use different components.

Incorporate Multimedia Elements

Enhance engagement by including a variety of media types in your learning package:

• Video lectures
• Interactive presentations
• Infographics
• Audio recordings
• Virtual simulations

Ensure Accessibility

Design your learning package to be accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. This includes providing:

• Alternative text for images
• Closed captions for videos
• Transcripts for audio content
• Compatible formats for screen readers

Best Practices for Learning Package Development

1. Start with a Template: Create a standardized template for your learning package to ensure consistency across different modules or courses.

2. Use Consistent Formatting: Maintain a uniform look and feel throughout the learning package to enhance readability and navigation.

3. Incorporate Interactivity: Include interactive elements such as clickable menus, drag-and-drop activities, or embedded quizzes to engage students actively.

4. Provide Clear Instructions: Offer detailed guidelines on how to use the learning package effectively, including any technical requirements or software needed.

5. Include Self-Assessment Opportunities: Incorporate self-check quizzes or reflection prompts to help students gauge their understanding of the material.

6. Offer Flexibility: Design the learning package to accommodate different learning styles and paces, allowing students to revisit content as needed.

7. Update Regularly: Keep the learning package current by regularly reviewing and updating content, links, and resources.

Technical Considerations

• Accepted file formats:
• SCORM 1.2 (not SCORM 2004)
• AICC
• HTML
• PPT
• File size limitations: 500 mb

Mobile Responsiveness

Design your learning package to be accessible on various devices, including smartphones and tablets. This may involve:

• Using responsive design principles
• Optimizing media for mobile viewing
• Testing functionality across different devices and browsers

Version Control

Implement a system for managing different versions of your learning package:

• You can upload and maintain different versions of any Learning Package file through the Media Library by:
• Navigating to the Media Library under the Create menu
• Clicking the name of the file you want to add a new version to
• Click the Versions tab
• Upload new version of the file
• Ensure that the correct version is the one that is active in any elements that use it
• Use clear version numbering
• Maintain a changelog

Quality Assurance

Before launching your learning package:

1. Conduct thorough testing to ensure all components function as intended

2. Verify all external links and resources

By creating a comprehensive and well-designed learning package, you provide students with a structured and engaging learning experience. Remember that the learning package is not just a collection of materials, but a carefully crafted journey through your course content. Continuously refine and update your learning package to ensure it remains effective and relevant for your students.

Building and Launching Courses: Instructor-Led Training (ILT)

Instructor-Led Training (ILT) remains a cornerstone of effective learning experiences, offering unique benefits that complement modern digital learning approaches. When building and launching courses, incorporating ILTs can significantly enhance the overall learning experience and provide valuable opportunities for engagement and skill development.

Definition and Characteristics of ILT

Instructor-Led Training refers to a training method where an instructor leads and facilitates the learning experience for participants, whether in person, over webinar, or a hybrid of the two. Key characteristics include:

• Direct interaction between the instructor and learners
• Real-time, synchronous learning sessions
• An interactive environment fostering active participation
• Personalized instruction tailored to learner needs
• Immediate feedback from the instructor
• Opportunities for collaboration and peer learning

 Types of ILT Formats

When designing your course, consider these common ILT formats:

1. Classroom-Based Training: Traditional face-to-face sessions in a physical classroom setting.

2. Virtual Instructor-Led Training: Live online sessions using virtual platforms.

3. Workshops: Hands-on, interactive sessions for skill development.

Best Practices for Effective ILT

To maximize the impact of ILT in your courses:

1. Align with Learning Objectives: Ensure each ILT session directly supports the course’s overall learning goals.

2. Create Engaging Content: Incorporate varied teaching methods, storytelling techniques, and real-life examples to maintain learner interest.

3. Develop a Facilitator Guide: Provide instructors with a comprehensive guide outlining course goals, discussion questions, and training activities.

4. Incorporate Active Learning: Include interactive elements like hands-on exercises, discussions, and problem-solving activities to promote engagement and retention.

5. Leverage Technology: For VILT, use collaboration tools and whiteboard apps to enhance remote interaction and engagement.

6. Balance with Asynchronous Learning: Consider a blended approach, combining ILT with self-paced elements to accommodate different learning preferences.

Setting up an ILT

• After selecting ILT from the list of elements in a course and filling out the basic element details, set the location of your session; this can be a physical location or a web address of a webinar session you set up. 
• If you have integrated your DigitalChalk account with Zoom or one of the other available webinar platforms, you can also choose that service from the Provider dropdown and it will automatically create the webinar session without the need to go back to the other service to schedule. 
• Make sure to click save once you have dialed in the details. Learners will be able to launch the session at the appointed time directly from that element within their course in DigitalChalk.

Conclusion

Incorporating Instructor-Led Training into your course design can significantly enhance the learning experience, providing valuable opportunities for interaction, personalization, and skill development. By carefully planning your ILT sessions and integrating them with other learning modalities, you can create a robust and engaging learning package that meets diverse learner needs and achieves your course objectives.

Remember, the key to successful ILT lies in thoughtful preparation, engaging delivery, and a willingness to adapt to learner needs in real-time. As you build and launch your courses, consider how ILT can complement your overall learning strategy and provide unique value to your learners.