How To Create An Elearning Course: A Step-by-Step Guide (2024)

To create an eLearning course, do some prep work, organize the work with SMEs and stakeholders, make a course outline, create a course storyboard, write a script, and put the content together. Record or add audio and video, add assessments and knowledge checks, and decide where to host your online course.

Creating an eLearning course can be an effective way to provide education or training to a large audience. Whether you are an educator or a business owner, developing an eLearning course can help you engage with your audience and deliver information in an interactive and effective manner.

However, designing an eLearning course can be overwhelming and challenging. It requires careful planning, preparation, and attention to detail. We will explore some tips and guidelines to help you create an eLearning course that engages your learners and achieves your intended outcomes.

How To Create An Elearning Course: A Step-by-Step Guide (1)

Credit: elearningindustry.com

Understanding Elearning Course Creation

Learn how to create an elearning course with expert guidance from online resources and training programs. Develop an outline, organize your content, create interactive elements, and evaluate your course to ensure it meets the needs of learners.

Introduction

When it comes to creating an eLearning course, there are several factors to consider, from planning to execution. Understanding eLearning course creation is key to creating courses that are engaging, informative, and effective. In this post, we will explore the importance of eLearning courses, why they are necessary, and how to plan your eLearning course creation to ensure a successful outcome.

Why Elearning Courses?

eLearning courses have become increasingly popular over the years, and for good reason. They offer learners the flexibility to learn at their own pace, on their schedule, and from anywhere in the world. eLearning courses are also cost-effective, as they eliminate travel and accommodation expenses and can be updated quickly and easily. Additionally, eLearning courses offer a range of multimedia options, such as videos, graphics, and interactive quizzes, making it easier for learners to engage with and retain the information.

Planning Your Elearning Course Creation

To create a successful eLearning course, it’s essential to plan your course creation carefully. This involves identifying your learning objectives, determining your target audience, creating a course outline, and selecting appropriate content delivery methods. Consider using a needs analysis to identify any existing gaps in knowledge or skills that the course should address. Once you have identified your goals and objectives, you can develop your course content, structure, and delivery methods.

To create a successful eLearning course, you may consider choosing from a variety of eLearning authoring tools available in the market. These tools can help you create interactive and engaging eLearning content with minimal to no coding skills such as Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, and Lectora Inspire.

In conclusion, understanding eLearning course creation is essential to creating effective and engaging courses. With proper planning and execution, you can create courses that meet the needs of your audience, and provide them with an enjoyable and educational experience.

Designing Your Elearning Course

Creating an eLearning course can seem overwhelming, but following a clear process can make it more manageable. First, plan and organize your content, then develop a storyboard, script, and interactive elements. Finally, record and edit the content and add assessments.

Designing an eLearning course is a crucial step as it sets the tone for an engaging and comprehensive learning journey. Any great instructional designer knows that designing an eLearning course should be well thought out to ensure that the course is engaging, informative, and visually appealing. We have listed below the top three considerations to keep in mind when designing your eLearning course.

Creating A Course Outline

Creating a course outline is the first step when it comes to designing an eLearning course. This will guide the instructor in creating a well-structured and organized course. To create an outline, the instructor can begin by listing all the topics that should be covered in the course. Once the topics are listed, they can be organized in a logical sequence of learning. Additionally, the outline should indicate where interactive elements, such as quizzes and polls, will be included, and also the flow of the course.

Developing A Storyboard

Developing a storyboard helps to visualize the layout of each screen and create a roadmap for course development. A storyboard is a visual representation of what the course will look like, and how the information will be presented to the learners. For instance, the storyboard will include the text, images, and interactive elements on each page. A well-designed storyboard ensures consistency in the course and helps eliminate any confusion during the development of the course.

Adding Interactivity

Adding interactivity elements in an eLearning course, notifies learners when they start drifting away. This composed approach can captivate learners, steers concentration, and ensures they complete the course. Fortunately, numerous interactive elements can be added to a course, including quizzes, videos, surveys, and engaging animations.

In summary, designing an eLearning course is not a straightforward and simple task; it requires careful consideration and collaboration between an instructional designer and subject-matter specialists. Creating a course outline, developing a storyboard, and adding interactivity, are the top considerations when designing an eLearning course. By following these essential guidelines, you can design an eLearning course that is engaging and informative, and learners will complete with ease.

Creating Elearning Course Content

Create an eLearning Course? To create an eLearning course, start with outlining your course topics, identifying interactivity and course flow. Organize your work with SMEs and stakeholders, create a storyboard and script, put the content together, and add assessments and knowledge checks.

Finally, record or add audio and video for an engaging course.

Creating Elearning Course Content is essential to ensure your learners receive a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. In this section, we will discuss the important aspects of creating elearning course content. The sections we will cover include Organizing Course Topics, Writing a Script, Recording Audio and Video, and Adding Assessments and Knowledge Checks.

Organizing Course Topics

Organizing Course Topics is the first step towards creating an effective elearning course. Start by listing down all the topics you want to cover in your course. Once you have a list, it’s important to organize them in a logical order to ensure that learners receive information in a progressive manner. You can use tools like mind maps, flowcharts, and storyboards to help you in organizing the topics. By clearly defining the journey, your learners take from one topic to the next, you can make the learning process much more engaging.

Writing A Script

Writing a Script is an important part of developing elearning content. It helps bring structure to the course and ensures that your content is on point. A script should detail exactly what you will cover in the course, including the objectives, the key points you want to make, and how you intend to make them. When writing a script for elearning, make sure to keep it concise and simple. Break it down into small sections, each dealing with one point so that learners can easily follow and grasp the concepts.

Recording Audio And Video

Recording Audio and Video brings your content to life. Depending on your course’s design, you may need to create and series of videos or audios to enhance the learner’s understanding. In recording audio and videos, aim for high-quality, clear audio and images. This will ensure that your learners can follow your content with ease. Utilize tools like screen recording software, microphones, and tripods to create high-quality media for your learners.

Adding Assessments And Knowledge Checks

Adding Assessments and Knowledge Checks is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of your elearning course content. It also helps learners to self-assess their understanding of the content. To create assessments and knowledge checks, decide on the type of evaluation you’re looking to carry out. You can use tools like quizzes, polls or surveys, and essays. Ensure that your evaluations are directly tied to the course’s objectives to make them more relevant.

In conclusion, Creating Elearning Course Content involves several crucial steps like organizing course topics, writing a script, recording audio and video, and adding assessments and knowledge checks. When done effectively, your content can help learners achieve their learning objectives while enjoying the learning process.

Tools For Elearning Course Creation

Create an engaging elearning course by utilizing tools such as SkyPrep’s customizable LMS, and following the design and development process outlined in the eLearning Designer’s Academy by Tim Slade, which includes steps such as conducting a needs analysis, drafting a storyboard, and creating interactive elements.

You can also create a course outline and add assessments and audio/visual components to enhance the learning experience.

Ispring Solutions

The iSpring Suite is a popular eLearning authoring toolkit that allows users to produce interactive eLearning content without the need for coding skills. The platform provides pre-built templates and themes to help users speed up their development process. It is equipped with features such as narration recording, integration with PowerPoint, quizzes and surveys, and screen recording. iSpring Suite also supports HTML5 and SCORM formats, ensuring compatibility with most Learning Management Systems.

Continu

Continu is an all-in-one learning management system that offers custom eLearning course creation and management capabilities. With its intuitive and user-friendly interface, users can easily author, publish, and manage their online courses without technical expertise. Continu also includes features such as social learning, built-in feedback and analytics, and personalized learning paths for each user. The platform integrates with several third-party tools, such as Google Drive and Dropbox for seamless course content delivery.

Shiftelearning.com

Shiftelearning.com offers a cloud-based platform for authoring and publishing eLearning courses that can be used on any device. The platform provides access to a comprehensive library of templates, themes, and video tutorials to help users create dynamic and engaging content. Shiftelearning.com also includes interactive quizzes, simulations, and gamification to enhance the learning experience. With its built-in analytics and reporting tools, users can track learner progress and fine-tune their courses for maximum impact.

When it comes to creating your own eLearning course, it’s crucial to select the right tools that best align with your needs and goals. iSpring Solutions, Continu, and Shiftelearning.com offer unique features and capabilities that can help bring your content to life. Consider exploring each of these options to determine which platform is the best fit for your project.

Cost Considerations For Elearning Course Creation

Creating an eLearning course involves various cost considerations such as content development, learning management system, multimedia production, and delivery platforms. With proper planning, budgeting and prioritizing, the course creation process can be streamlined, cost-effective and highly impactful.

Elearning courses are one of the most convenient ways for people to gain knowledge and skills from the comfort of their own homes. However, creating an eLearning course is not as easy as simply compiling a PowerPoint presentation. There are many factors to consider, including the cost. In this section, we will discuss cost considerations for eLearning course creation. We will look at the factors that affect cost and the cost analysis of eLearning course creation.

Factors Affecting Cost

There are several factors that affect the cost of creating an eLearning course. These factors are:

  • Content: The amount and complexity of the content that needs to be included in the course can affect the cost. If the content is technical and requires extensive research, the cost may be higher.
  • Animations and Interactivities: The more animations and interactivities that are required in the course, the more expensive it will be to create. These elements require skilled designers and developers to create.
  • Technology: The technology used to create the course can also affect the cost. Some technologies are more expensive than others.
  • Experience: The level of experience of the eLearning course creator also affects the cost. Experienced course creators may charge more than novices.

Cost Analysis Of Elearning Course Creation

The cost of creating an eLearning course can vary widely depending on the complexity of the course and the quality of the final product.

Cost ElementLowMidHigh
Content Development$500$1,500$5,000
Graphic Design$500$1,500$5,000
Animations/Interactivities$500$1,500$5,000
Technology and Hosting$50/month$100/month$200/month
Total Cost$1,550$4,000$15,200

Note that these are estimates and the actual cost can vary greatly.

Creating an eLearning course can be expensive, so planning and budgeting are important. Keep in mind the factors affecting cost and use a cost analysis to determine the best budget for your needs. By doing so, you can create a high-quality eLearning course that effectively delivers your content, engages learners, and meets your budget.

How To Create An Elearning Course: A Step-by-Step Guide (2)

Credit: www.shiftelearning.com

Marketing And Selling Your Elearning Course

Learn how to create an eLearning course with these helpful tips on marketing and selling your course. From organizing your content to creating a course outline, this guide covers everything necessary to captivate learners and scale your training. Take insights from industry professionals to design eLearning that engages learners and promotes success.

Marketing and Selling Your eLearning Course

Once you have created your eLearning course, the next step is to market and sell it to your target audience. This can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies and tools, you can effectively reach and convert potential learners into paying customers.

Choosing a Business Model

Before you start marketing your eLearning course, it’s important to choose the right business model for your course. There are various models to choose from, including subscription-based, one-time purchase, pay-per-course, and freemium. Consider your target audience, the type of course you’ve created, and your overall business goals to determine which model will work best for you.

Creating a Course Sales Funnel

A course sales funnel is a step-by-step process that potential learners go through before becoming paying customers. It involves attracting visitors to your site, nurturing those visitors with valuable content, and ultimately converting them into learners. Creating a sales funnel can help you streamline the buying process and increase your chances of converting leads into paying customers.

To create a course sales funnel, keep in mind the following steps:

1. Attract visitors: Use social media platforms, paid advertising, and search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to drive traffic to your site.

2. Offer a lead magnet: Offer free content such as a video or eBook to incentivize visitors to provide their email address.

3. Nurture with email campaigns: Use email campaigns to deliver valuable content to your leads and build trust.

4. Offer your course: Once you have nurtured your leads, offer your course and make the buying process smooth and easy.

In conclusion, marketing and selling your eLearning course is a crucial step towards success, and choosing the right business model and creating a course sales funnel can significantly improve your chances of attracting and converting learners into paying customers. Remember to keep your target audience in mind throughout the process and leverage various marketing strategies to drive traffic to your site.

How To Create An Elearning Course: A Step-by-Step Guide (3)

Credit: elearningindustry.com

Frequently Asked Questions For How To Create An Elearning Course

How Do I Set Up An Elearning Course?

To set up an eLearning course, you should follow these steps: 1) Do some prep work, 2) Organize the work with SMEs and stakeholders, 3) Make a course outline, 4) Create a course storyboard, 5) Write a script, 6) Put the content together, 7) Record or add audio and video, and 8) Add assessments and knowledge checks.

How Do I Create My Own Elearning?

To create your own eLearning course, do the following: prepare, organize with SMEs/stakeholders, make a course outline, create a storyboard, write a script, put content together, record/add audio and video, and add assessments/knowledge checks. It’s also important to understand your audience, write learning objectives, and select a business model.

Costs vary, depending on factors such as platform, content development, and additional features.

How Do You Create A Learning Course?

To create a learning course, follow these steps: understand your audience, write down learning objectives, create a storyboard, decide where to host your course, create content, select a business model, create a sales funnel, and add assessments or knowledge checks.

Make a course outline and record or add audio and video to the content. Additionally, organize the work with SMEs and stakeholders and write a script. The cost of creating eLearning varies by provider.

How Much Does It Cost To Create Elearning?

The cost of creating eLearning varies depending on several factors such as the complexity and length of the course, the type of content needed, the software and tools used, and the expertise of the eLearning developer. However, a rough estimate for a basic eLearning course could range from $5,000 to $15,000.

What Are The Essential Steps To Create An Elearning Course?

Creating an eLearning course involves several steps, including course planning, content creation, design, development, and evaluation.

Conclusion

Creating an elearning course may seem daunting at first, but by following these steps outlined in the blog post, it can be a smooth and successful process. Whether it’s organizing the work with SMEs, creating a storyboard, or putting together the content with assessments and knowledge checks, the key is to understand your audience’s needs and ensure your learning objectives align with those needs.

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to create online courses that captivate learners and provide value to your audience. Happy elearning course creation!

How To Create An Elearning Course: A Step-by-Step Guide (2024)

FAQs

How To Create An Elearning Course: A Step-by-Step Guide? ›

Many aspiring creators ask themselves this very question when they are looking to start a new online course. The time you will need to put a course together really depends on your specific case, however it generally takes anywhere between 25 to 500 hours to craft an online course.

How do I create an online course step by step? ›

How to create an online course in 10 steps
  1. Choose the topic of your course.
  2. Conduct customer research.
  3. Select the format of your course.
  4. Test if your course has high market demand.
  5. Pre-sell your course.
  6. Outline your course content.
  7. Set course pricing and sales goals.
  8. Choose the right course platform.
Dec 3, 2023

How do I create an eLearning course? ›

Easily Develop an eLearning Course in 7 Steps
  1. Step #1: Define Your Course Objectives.
  2. Step #2: Develop Engaging Content.
  3. Step #3: Structure Your Course with Journeys.
  4. Step #4: Personalize the Learning Experience.
  5. Step #5: Automate the Training Process.
  6. Step #6: Track Learner Progress and Engagement.
Feb 8, 2024

How do I create an eLearning course in 12 steps? ›

Create an eLearning Course in 12 Steps Infographic
  1. Start with Why: Do a Need Analysis. Conducting a needs analysis. ...
  2. Know your Audience. ...
  3. Content Analysis: Get the Right Content for the Right Audience. ...
  4. Set Learning Objectives. ...
  5. Define Your Instructional Design Plan. ...
  6. Storyboard your Content. ...
  7. Choose your Technology. ...
  8. Prototyping.
Jan 23, 2017

How many hours does it take to create an online course? ›

Many aspiring creators ask themselves this very question when they are looking to start a new online course. The time you will need to put a course together really depends on your specific case, however it generally takes anywhere between 25 to 500 hours to craft an online course.

How do I create content for my online course? ›

Designing Your Amazing Course Content
  1. Give Yourself Enough Time. ...
  2. Start With the End Goal in Mind. ...
  3. Choose Your Course Topic. ...
  4. Decide Who Your Course Is For. ...
  5. Clarify Your Course Goals and Objectives. ...
  6. Determine How to Evaluate Student Learning. ...
  7. Plan Your Course Structure. ...
  8. Create Engaging Course Content.
May 1, 2023

How long does it take to create an eLearning course? ›

eLearning Development FAQ

A average 1-hour interactive elearning course will take 197 hours to develop. But development of a 1-hour elearning course can range between 49 hours for the low end of the range of a “basic” course to 716 hours for the high end of the range of an “advanced” course.

How can I create an eLearning course for free? ›

Thinkific is the all-in-one low-cost tool for online course creation. Thinkific is the perfect platform for online course creators looking for a low-cost solution to easily create, market and sell their content. Best of all, it's free to create and sell your first course.

What is an eLearning template? ›

Templates are valuable, time-saving tools that allow eLearning professionals to develop engaging and aesthetically pleasing eLearning courses. Best of all, you don't necessarily need graphic design or coding experience, as the eLearning template comes complete with pre-built layouts.

What makes a good eLearning course? ›

A good eLearning course isn't just about providing information for your learners. Instead, it motivates them. Motivation in eLearning can be achieved by identifying why your learners are taking your courses and tailoring your content to these needs.

How much does it cost to create an online course? ›

At an estimated 80 to 280 hours required to develop a 1-hour course, you can expect to pay roughly $5,850 USD to over $15,000 USD to get a fully polished course, in addition to the cost of your SME (Subject Matter Expert).

How much is it to create an online course? ›

In summary, the total cost of creating an online course can range from a few hundred dollars for a basic course to several thousand dollars for a high-quality, professionally produced course. This cost includes software, equipment, content development, and marketing expenses.

Is creating an online course worth it? ›

Online courses offer a great way to diversify and increase your income, establish yourself as an expert in your niche, build a community and make money from content you've already written. If you're not doing it now, you're missing out on a great opportunity.

Is creating an online course profitable? ›

An average course creator can make a few thousand dollars per month selling online courses full-time. If you are starting out part time, you can expect a few hundred dollars initially, but this depends on a lot of factors like the price of your course, your audience, and your marketing & selling skills.

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