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MODULE 5
E – Content Development
E
– Content Development – Meaning, Need and Significance – Types and Forms of e-
Content – Short Learning Objectives – Modules: Components – Stages of e-
Content Development and Steps involved – Scripting for e- Content
E-Content
development
What
is E-content and E-content development
Electronic-content
which is also known as Digital Content refers to the content or information
delivered over network based electronic devices or that is made available using
computer network such as INTERNET. E-content includes all kinds of content created
and delivered through various electronic media.
e-Content
is a component of digital education designed to support both teachers and
students in transferring and acquiring knowledge remotely as well as face to
face. An eContent can consist of many different materials. Resources can
include videos, AR/VR, gamification elements and other engaging materials.
e-Learning content development is a process of
creating content in a digital form that lives in a digital space that your
learners can access through digital means. eLearning courses often require
high-quality content creation, video content development, and the creation of
interactive content.
Meaning of E-content
According to Oxford Dictionary “e-
content is the digital text and images designed to display on web pages”
According to Saxena Anurag(2011)”e-content
is basically a package that satisfies the conditions like minimization of
distance, cost effectiveness, user friendliness and adaptability to local
conditions”
E-content development refers
to the process of creating, gathering, delivering, and managing
information or content delivered electronically. This content can range from
text, images, audio, video, animations, and more, primarily used for educational, informational, or marketing purposes.
The
development of e-Content empowers learners to take an active role in their
learning process, facilitates a deep understanding of complex concepts, and includes
varied learning styles. In today's digital age, video resources as a part of
eContent have gained immense demand as a means of content dissemination. One of the primary advantages of
e-content lies in its ability to cater to diverse learning styles, providing a
dynamic and engaging platform for students. Interactive elements, such as
videos, animations, and simulations, not only capture attention but also
enhance comprehension by appealing to visual and auditory learners. e-content
development is a cornerstone of educational technology, revolutionizing the way
knowledge is imparted and acquired. Its versatility, interactivity, and
adaptability make it a powerful tool for educators seeking to create a dynamic
and inclusive learning environment. As we continue to embrace the digital era,
the ongoing refinement of e-content development promises to unlock new
possibilities and shape the future of education.
Various instructional design models are available
according to our requirements In designing and development of e-content we have
to adopt one of the instructional design models based on our requirements.
Before understanding the designing and development of e-content it is essential
to understand the meaning of instructional design.
Most common and popular model used for creating
instructional materials is the ADDIE model. This abbreviation stands for five
phases involved in the model. They are analyze, design, develop, implement and
evaluate.
ANALYSIS - 1. Need Analysis
2. Target Audience Analysis
3. Task and Topic Analysis
DESIGN - 1. Learning Objective
2. Sequencing
3. Instructional Strategy
4. Delivery Strategy
5. Evaluation Strategy
·
DEVELOPMENT - 1. Content Development
2. Story board Development
3. Courseware Development
IMPLEMENTATION - 1. Installation and Distribution
2. Managing learners Activities
EVALUATION - 1. Reactions
2. Learnings
3. Behaviour
4. Results
The purpose of e-content development is to create an information rich society. Everyone in the society is empowered to create, receive, share and utilize information for their progress. Very well designed, developed and validated e-content will provide access to high quality meaningful digital content serves as an effective virtual teacher.
Needs and significance of e-content development
One of the most important roles of e-Content
from teachers' perspectives is to support them in activating students and
strengthening the individualization of the learning process. Thanks to
interactive tasks, learners show more significant involvement in the lessons
and can learn the material more efficiently. In the digital age, the need for
effective and dynamic educational content has become more pronounced than ever.
As traditional classrooms transition into virtual spaces, the demand for
engaging, accessible, and adaptable learning materials has given rise to the
significance of e-content development.
The Need for e-content development
arises from the changing landscape of education, driven by technological
advancements and evolving learning preferences. In a globalized world, access
to quality education is crucial, and e-content serves as a bridge, overcoming
geographical barriers. With the proliferation of digital devices and internet
connectivity, e-content ensures that educational resources are available to
learners worldwide, democratizing access to knowledge
Furthermore, e-content development addresses
the diverse learning styles of today's students. Traditional methods, reliant
on textbooks and lectures, often fall short in engaging learners with varied
preferences. E-content, on the other hand, incorporates multimedia elements
such as videos, animations, and interactive simulations, catering to visual,
auditory, and kinesthetics learners. This adaptability enhances comprehension
and retention, making learning a more personalized and enjoyable experience
The Significance of e-content development extends
beyond accessibility and engagement; it lies in its ability to facilitate
anytime, anywhere learning. The asynchronous nature of e-content allows
learners to pace their studies according to individual needs and commitments.
This flexibility is particularly crucial for adult learners, working
professionals, and those facing time constraints, enabling a more inclusive and
learner-centric education system.
Moreover, the significance of e-content development is
underscored by its capacity to foster collaborative and interactive learning
environments. Online platforms equipped with discussion forums, collaborative
projects, and virtual classrooms promote peer-to-peer interaction, transcending
physical boundaries. This collaborative dimension not only enhances the social
aspect of learning but also prepares students for the collaborative nature of
the modern workforce.
Another critical aspect of the significance of e-content
development lies in its potential to address the demands of a rapidly changing
world. The traditional model of static textbooks struggles to keep pace with
the dynamic nature of information in fields like science and technology.
E-content, through regular updates and real-time integration of current
developments, ensures that learners have access to the latest and most relevant
information.
The Need and Significance of e-content development in education
are deeply intertwined with the evolving landscape of learning. As technology
continues to reshape the way we access information and acquire knowledge,
e-content emerges as a cornerstone in meeting the demands of a diverse and
interconnected world. Through its accessibility, adaptability, and
interactivity, e-content development not only addresses the current needs of
learners but also plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of education.
TYPES OF E-CONTENT
1.
Assembled E-Content: it is
the e-content assembled several resources and books with due care taken for
copyright issues. Eg: E-Books, E-Journals
2.
Created E-content: it is the E-content developed based on
various sources and his own work. Eg: Slide presentations, Word documents etc.
3. Interactive
Content
a. Quizzes and Assessments: Online
assessments and quizzes that provide immediate feedback.
b. Educational Games: Gamified content
designed to make learning enjoyable while reinforcing concepts.
c. Interactive Whiteboard Content:
Digital whiteboard applications for real-time collaboration.
4. Webinars
and Virtual Classes:
a. Live Webinars:
Real-time online seminars conducted by experts.
b. Virtual Classes:
Online classrooms where live lessons are conducted.
FORMS OF E-CONTENT
E-content is often made of separate
units or a combination of text, videos, images sounds etc. these are the
building blocks which are often used to make composite learning objects that
can be exhibited in various presentation formats.
Different forms of E-content
Text: create text files with WordPad, M S
Word, text, doc, pdf are main formats
Visual: it includes both images and graphics,
various format include, jpg, png, gif etc...
Sound: various formats include wav, au, mp3,
mid, wav is common format and au is compressed format.
Video: format include avi, flv, mpg is
compressed format.
Animation: 2D and 3D animations.
Simulation: real time interactive e content like
virtual lab
Presentation: power point presentations
Other formats include Games, rich
internet applications, database, e-journals, interactives, e-books, immensive
content etc.
Basic steps for developing e-content
·
Plan
out the topic for e-learning course.
·
Write
the learning /instructional objectives
·
Script
writing
·
Correcting the script (grammer, spell check,
meaning etc.)
·
Collection
of needy materials (video, audio, image, animation etc)
·
Preparation
of story board for the narration.
·
Editing. (Ensure your creative touch within
the prescribed format)
·
Organising
the content sequentially and implementing.
·
Evaluation
of the material (Process of rechecking the effectiveness of the material
OBJECTIVES OF E-CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
·
To store, preserve
and provide access to a variety of digital resources to students and teachers.
·
To enable the participation
of the community in the development and sharing of digital resources.
·
To enhance the quality of the education system
of the country.
·
To facilitate
teachers to create and share contextual teaching and learning resources.
·
To celebrate
innovations in resource creation.
·
To
deliver the content via various media such as radio, television, computer etc
·
To
increase students’ concentration on particular subject matter in depth learning
·
To
feel emotionally good with joyful learning and active learning involvement of
students during the content delivery
·
To reuse many time the content to various
group of same class without hesitate and unchanging.
·
To
handle easy to the facilitators during the content delivery.
·
To
modify the content with present time needs.
·
To
involve multi-sensory to enhance the student’s learning capacity.
·
To control the students in their learning
capacity during content delivery
·
To
learn the self-dependency the content delivery in their own stipulation
·
To
cover all type of students such as below average, average and highly
intelligent students in the classroom during the learning period.
·
To
use for auditory, visual, auditory, read/write and kinaesthetic learners in the
their capabilities (This is the VARK modalities by Fleming and Mills(1992)
·
To
use the content at anytime, anywhere, any one in the corner of universe.
·
To keep long time without damage the subject
matter not like as traditional printing book
·
To
avoid the rote memory through content delivery by facilitators.
·
To
train the teacher for developing the effective e-contents and its knowledge and
skills.
Implications
of e-content in education
·
The e-content package creates lot of scope
for self- learning.
·
The e-content package could create an
interesting atmosphere for learning, it may either be on live or offline
·
The e-content package makes and stimulates
each student's individual or self-paced learning process.
·
The e-content package gives the enjoyable
learning process in their subjects. Each student can clarify him/herself any
doubt about during learning process through e-content package.
·
Students are active participant in the
learning process.
·
E-content
package encourages cooperation and active learning and promotes students'
own-pace of learning.
MODULES
Modules
is a self-contained self-sufficient unit of instruction for the learner to work
on for achieving a set of predetermined objectives. A module contains 3 basic
elements of instruction.
1. Develop
short learning modules that actively engage the learner
2. Include
formative assessment
3. Use
simple, widely available software
Modules,
as distinct units of content, provide a modularized framework that enhances
learning experiences in various ways.
Modular
design breaks down educational content into manageable and focused units, or
modules, each addressing specific learning objectives. These modules can
encompass a range of multimedia elements, interactive assessments, and
collaborative activities, catering to diverse learning styles. By presenting
information in digestible portions, students can engage with and master one
concept before moving on to the next, fostering a more comprehensive
understanding of the subject matter.
Furthermore,
modules in e-content offer flexibility and adaptability. Educators can
customize learning paths, accommodating the varied pace and preferences of
individual learners. This adaptive approach not only promotes personalized
learning but also ensures that students can revisit and reinforce specific
modules as needed, facilitating a continuous learning process.
A systematic and a scientific approach is needed to
develop quality e-content. The e-content development aspects comprise of six
phases…
1. Analysis Phase
It is the foundation for all other phases of instructional design.
It analyses target audiences, goals & objectives, views of subject
experts.
2. Design phase
In this phase provides a complete design of the learning solutions.
It involves planning, use of relevant software, required skills etc...
3. Development Phase
The outputs of the design phase will be the input of this phase. Here begins
the actual production of the e-content design.
4. Testing Phase
In this phase administers the e-content in the actual educational field.
Test the spelling mistakes,
hyperlinks, content errors, clarity of picture etc...
5. Implementation Phase
It is the actual delivery of instruction to the target audience.
It checks product quality and accuracy.
6. Evaluation Phase
In this
stage helps to collect feedback from both learners and instructors evaluating
the effectiveness of a product.
Stages of E-Content Design and Development Process:
1. Analysis
and Planning: This stage involves analysing the target
audience, learning objectives, and instructional requirements. Content
developers determine the scope, format, and structure of the e-content based on
these factors. Understanding your audience is the first step in e-content
development. Knowing who you’re targeting will help you tailor your content to
their needs, preferences, and understanding level. Consider factors like age,
occupation, educational background, and interests.
2. Define Your
Goals – What do you want to achieve with your e-content? Are you looking
to educate, inform, entertain, or persuade? Defining
your goals helps you create content that aligns with your objectives.
3. Content
Research – Researching is crucial in e-content development. Gather as much
information as possible about the topic you’re covering. Use credible sources
to ensure the accuracy of your content.
4. Content
Creation: In this stage, subject matter experts and instructional designers
create the actual content. They develop text, graphics, videos, and interactive
elements to convey the necessary information and engage learners effectively.
5. Content
Organization – Structure your content in a way that’s easy
to understand and navigate. Break down your content into sections or chapters,
use headings and subheadings, bullet points, and numbering where necessary.
6. Integration
of Multimedia – Integrating multimedia elements can
significantly enhance the effectiveness of your e-content. Videos, images,
infographics, animations, and audio can make your content more engaging and
easier to comprehend.
7. Interactive
Elements – Adding interactive elements like quizzes, surveys,
games, or discussion forums can increase user engagement and
make learning more effective.
8. Design and
Development: The content is organized and structured in a
logical sequence. Instructional designers focus on creating an intuitive and
user-friendly interface. They optimize the visual layout, navigation, and
interaction design of the e-content.
9. Accessibility –
Ensure your e-content is accessible to all users, including those with
disabilities. Use alt text for images, subtitles for videos, and ensure your
content is readable for screen readers.
10. Review and
Revision: The e-content is reviewed by stakeholders, including instructors,
subject matter experts, and learners. Feedback is collected, and revisions are
made to improve the overall quality and effectiveness of the content.
11. Testing and
Quality Assurance: The e-content undergoes rigorous testing to
identify any technical or usability issues. Quality assurance checks are
conducted to ensure that the content functions as intended and meets the
desired learning outcomes.
12. Deployment
and Maintenance: Once the e-content is finalized, it is deployed
on the chosen electronic platform or learning management system (LMS). Ongoing
maintenance is required to address any updates, technical glitches, or user
feedback.
13. Publish and
Distribute – Choose the right platform to publish your e-content. It could be
a website, blog, e-learning platform, social media, etc. After publishing,
promote your content to reach your target audience.
14. Evaluation
and Feedback – Collect feedback from your audience to
understand how well your content is performing. Use this feedback to make
necessary improvements.
SCRIPT WRITING FOR E -CONTENT
Turn your e Learning
script into a conversation
·
Your eLearning scripts should sound
organic.
·
Online learners must feel like they are
dealing with an actual person.
·
When you're writing your eLearning script
imagine that you are just having a casual conversation with your audience.
·
Try to use the words "we",
"you", and "us" as much as possible to connect with them.
·
Better yet, read it out loud after you've
finished and see whether it flows naturally.
Keep it short.
·
You should only include the bare
necessities in your eLearning scripts.
·
you should always emphasize the main ideas
and concepts with text or images, in addition to your audio narration. Read
over your eLearning script when you're done to see what should stay and what
you can afford to lose.
·
For example,
you know that your online learners don't have much time to access the
presentation so you are going to keep it under 5 minutes long.
Brainstorm before you
type the first letter
·
You should brainstorm every aspect of your
eLearning script beforehand to make sure that you flush out of all of the main
points.
·
Create mind maps, eLearning storyboards,
and outlines to get all of your ideas into paper, then divide into the e learning
script writing process.
·
One of the most effective tools is a
detailed timeline.
·
For instance: you
might decide that the first minute of your e learning narration should stress
the benefits of the presentation. While the second should explore the applications
of the subject matter. Also, meet with your eLearning learn to get their input
and get them involved in the e learning brainstorming session.
Leave out the jargon
·
Your online learners should be able to
understand every word in your eLearning script. If not, then the definition
should be included.
·
Do some audience research to find out how
much your online learners know and their level of experience, which will give
you a good indication of which industry- specific jargon you should include.
·
For example, online learners who have been
in the field for a long time will probably need more specialized lingo, while
those who are less experienced may require more basic terminology. When in
doubt, just leave it out and provide links to supplemental resources.
Use vivid imagery
·
Online learners will remember the e learning
content more effectively if it paints a vivid picture instead of just telling
them about an idea or concept, use adjectives and description to make it more
meaningful and engaging.
·
A story is already emotionally compelling,
but you can make it absolutely riveting by using imagery to draw them in.
·
Also, keep visual metaphors, similes, and
other literary devices to a minimum. Unless of course they will help your
online learners to better understand the subject matter.
Understand the Audience
·
Before you start tapping the script out on
your computer, there are a couple of things you need to do.
·
One of them is to make sure you properly
understand your audience.
·
After all, the style, tone, and language
you use in the script will need to suit the learners who will be completing
your course.
Plan Before You Write
·
You should also have a plan in place
before you start writing.
·
This includes giving the script a
structure to ensure it flows properly and to get everything in the right order.
·
Planning is also important to avoid
missing important information.
Use Conversational,
Informal Language
·
Scripts in e-learning should not be stuffy
and formal. In fact, they should be very similar to the type of language a
trainer would use in a classroom, i.e. normal, everyday language.
·
Being professional is always important,
but the tone should be personable, and the language should be informal and
conversational.
Make the Script Relatable
Where
possible, make the script relatable to the day- to-day experience of the
learner. This means using references, scenarios, and explanations they will
understand from first-hand experience.
Don't Repeat Text that is
On the Screen
·
Whether your script is a narration for the
e-learning course or a voiceover for a video or animation, it should enhance
the course rather than simply repeating what is already on the screen.
·
This means, for example, providing
additional information, offering a more detailed explanation, adding context,
or providing nuance.
Get the Timing Right
·
Make sure your script is not too long or
too short for the content on the screen.
·
On average, people read scripts out loud
at about 100 words a minute.
·
You also need to take into account what is
happening on the screen to ensure the timing of the script matches.
Use Short Sentences
·
Scripts with short sentences flow better
for the learner, plus you will get a better read from your voiceover artist.
·
Short sentences can also help to lighten up
heavy and difficult topics, including compliance topics.
·
this tip is all about writing for the ear
rather than the eye.
Use an Active Voice
Using
an active rather than a passive voice will help you talk directly to the
learner and it will make your script more engaging, positive, and motivational.
Avoid Colloquialisms,
Local Phrases, Local References, and anything else that might get lost in
Translation
·
This tip only applies if your e-learning
course will be completed by learners in different locations or who speak
different languages.
·
In fact, if everyone doing your course
lives and works in Dubai, for example, adding some local references may enhance
engagement levels while also making the script more relatable.
·
However, those local references are easily
lost when learners from a different location complete the course, or when you
translate it into another language.
There are three main stages of script development. These are:
·
Draft script:
First full-length script with a complete listing and description of all
visuals/captions, accompanying commentary or dialogue, music and sound effects
Discuss your draft script with your colleagues, experts and production team
members to get their reactions and suggestions. Be ready to accept criticism of
your draft script and be open to ideas for improvement.
·
Final
script: At this stage, all suggestions made at the draft script stage are
incorporated. And the final script goes over to the producer who should analyse
it from the viewpoint of production and should work out a camera script.
Usually, the scriptwriter goes off the scene after this stage, and the producer
takes over, but the interaction between the scriptwriter and the producer
continues up to the point the programme has been finally produced.
·
Camera script:
This is the critical phase of script development: the final script prepared by
the script writer is converted into a camera script/visual story board form for
the use of the producer and his team. It is indeed a technical script in which
shot division is done; instruction for production crew is given; music, effects
and dialogue are indicated in a logical sequence. In short, a camera script
represents the inter relationships of all programme elements and resources. It
is an important working document for the producer.
·
Testing of the script:
The list stage of script development is the testing of its effectiveness
Testing the script with the target audience is advisable at least once when the
production of a series of several programmes is to be undertaken. The main idea
of script testing is to assess the presentation and comprehensibility of the
content, the difficulty level of the language and the relevance and variety of
materials used to be used in the programme. In the case of a complete script,
the contents are actually read out to the target group for testing their
strengths and weaknesses. In the hight of the feedback obtained through such
testing, the content and organisation of the script and the design, sequence
and number of visuals may be altered by the scriptwriter. Script testing is a
technique of formative evaluation which provides quick feedback on various
aspects of the product which can then be suitably modified before its actual
production.
