How to Prepare Training Materials for Use Online
- 1). Write materials according to established guidelines. Know your audience and choose your words accordingly. For example, if English is a second language for your primary audience, avoid idioms and phrases that are not likely to be understood by non-native English speakers. Use an editing process to ensure materials achieve their desired objective and are free of spelling and grammatical errors.
- 2). Supplement course presentations with detailed course notes, visuals, handouts, exercises and supplementary reading.
- 3). Organize your materials in short segments. Materials accessed online tend to be used as on-the-job training and consumed in shorter time periods than more traditional lecture offerings.
- 4). Provide lists of source material as complementary self-study tools for interested students.
- 5). Produce tables, charts and other visuals that reinforce concepts taught in your training materials. These supplements might be drawn on a whiteboard or paper chart during live sessions so you need to capture these and provide them in a different way for online course materials that are offered asynchronously.
- 6). Record live presentations of traditional training presentations using screen capture software available from such vendors as Adobe and add interactivity using multiple choice quizzes, scenario simulations and other engaging interactions designed to motivate your students.
- 7). Set up online tests to ensure student learning, possibly certifying participants as appropriate.
- 8). Publish your materials in an accessible location. Collaborative environments built on technology such as Microsoft Sharepoint allow you to track usage and allow for effective training communication such as frequently asked questions and best practices.
