BlogLearning & Development

Easily Develop an eLearning Course in 7 Steps

Terri James
VP of Product

Craft a winning eLearning course in 7 steps: define objectives, design engaging content, incorporate interactivity, and measure outcomes for continuous improvement.

Develop a Training Manual That Works

Creating an eLearning course can feel like climbing a mountain. You know it's valuable. But where do you start? And how do you make it engaging? That's the challenge.

Here's the good news: It doesn't have to be so hard. Not with the right course authoring tools.

Enter Continu. It's your all-in-one platform for building eLearning courses that hit the mark. From defining goals to tracking success, we've got you covered.

In this article, we’re going to show you how to create an eLearning course in 7 steps.

Let’s dive in.

Step #1: Define Your Course Objectives

First step? Know your destination. What should your learners walk away with? 

Your learning objectives need to be SMART. Think of them as your course's North Star.

Use action verbs, like: remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, and create. These aren't just words. They're the building blocks of effective learning.

But how do you know the objectives of your eLearning course? You’ll need to assess your employee’s skills and knowledge.

That's where Continu shines. The Assessments feature is your secret weapon.

It lets you pinpoint exactly what your learners need. Before you build, you find out where to focus. It's like having a map in uncharted territory.

Create assessments in Continu to identify knowledge gaps.

With clear objectives, you're not just creating a course. You're paving a path to success.

Step #2: Develop Engaging Content

Content is king. But not all content wears the crown well. It needs to grab attention. Hold it. Make it count. 

That's where Continu's Learning Tracks come into play.

Think big. Articles. Videos. Interactive quizzes. Continu makes it easy. 

You get to create content that speaks to all learning styles. Visual learners? Check. Reading/writing enthusiasts? Got it. Hands-on folks? Absolutely.

Easily create, add, import, or upload engaging content modules in Continu.

Diverse training materials mean no one's left out. 

And with Continu, it's not just possible; it's simple. Engage every learner. Make every moment in your course matter.

Great content is the heart of a great course.

Step #3: Structure Your Course with Journeys

A course without structure is like a journey without a map. Directionless. Confusing. That's not what we're aiming for. 

That’s why our Journeys feature is so powerful.

Journeys in Continu allow course creators options for building out full learning paths.

Journeys are your blueprint. It lets you lay out each step of the learning path

Clear. Logical. Engaging. 

You decide the sequence. From the first concept to the final quiz, every piece fits perfectly.

Easily move around content modules to create an effective eLearning course.

This isn't just about order. It's about building on knowledge, step by step. It's how you ensure your learners don't just go through the motions—they truly learn.

With Journeys, your course flows. It makes sense. And it leads to real outcomes.

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Step #4: Personalize the Learning Experience

One size fits all? Not here. Every learner is unique. Their training should be too.

That's where Continu's Groups feature comes into play.

Create groups of learners that share the same department, skills, location, or job duties to deliver relevant content in Continu.e

Easily create tailored Groups for team members, based on their department, locations, or learning needs.

Picture this: content that speaks directly to each learner.

Marketing pros dive into digital trends. Tech teams tackle coding challenges. It's all possible with Smart Segmentation™.

By using Smart Segmentation in Continu, course creators can assign content to specific groups of users.

Segment by department, skill level, you name it. Continu makes it easy.

The result? Personalized training that resonates.

Why settle for generic when you can get personal? With Smart Segmentation™, every learner feels seen.

Step #5: Automate the Training Process

Say goodbye to manual scheduling. Welcome to the future of training automation

Imagine setting up your eLearning course once and watching it roll out perfectly. On time. Every time. To exactly who needs it. That's Workflows for you.

Continu's Workflows are here to change the game.

No more spreadsheets. No more chasing. Set your criteria, and Continu handles the rest.

Automatically enroll learners into workflows based on certain criteria to fully automate training.

New hires? Seasoned pros needing a skills boost? Everyone gets what they need, when they need it.

Create advanced workflow enrollments in Continu

Automation isn't just smart; it's efficient. With Continu's Workflows, your training is always on track.

Step #6: Track Learner Progress and Engagement

Tracking progress is key. You need to know if your course is hitting its marks.

But it's more than just tracking employee training progress. It's about understanding. 

What's working? What's not? This data is gold. It tells you how to refine, tweak, and improve your course.

And Continu comes with a ton of insightful Reports for both Managers and Admins.

Continu comes with tons of valuable LMS reports straight out of the box.

Real-time analytics. Custom LMS reports. It's all at your fingertips. See who's engaging, who's progressing, and who might need a little nudge. It's about keeping everyone on track.

Easily track learner progress through your courses with the Journeys report.

With Continu's Reporting, you're not just monitoring. You're learning. And improving. Every step of the way.

Step #7: Collect Learner Feedback

Feedback isn't just nice to have. It's essential. How else will you know if your course hits the mark? 

Here's where Continu's Surveys shine.

Collect learner feedback during courses with Surveys.

Imagine getting insights straight from your learners. What worked? What didn't? Surveys make this easy. They're your direct line to your audience's thoughts and experiences.

Continu lets you craft surveys that dig deep:

  • Multiple-choice for quick checks.
  • Multi-select for nuanced views.
  • Written questions for detailed feedback.

It's all about understanding their journey, from start to finish.

Ask your learners about the course by attaching surveys to content.

And the results? They're not just numbers. They're actionable insights. View them in Continu or export for a deeper dive. It's your roadmap to refinement.

Gather course ratings to judge the effectiveness of your eLearning courses.

Feedback drives improvement. With Continu's Surveys, you're always learning, always improving.

Building an eLearning Course is Easy in Continu

Creating an impactful eLearning course is a breeze with Continu.

From crafting engaging content to personalizing learning paths and automating delivery, Continu covers it all. 

Its powerful reporting and feedback tools ensure your course stays relevant and effective, making continuous improvement simple.

With Continu, you're not just building eLearning courses—you're shaping smarter learning experiences effortlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make my eLearning content engaging?

To make eLearning content engaging, incorporate a mix of multimedia elements like videos and interactive quizzes. Use real-world scenarios to make the content relatable and apply gamification techniques to motivate learners. Interactive elements that encourage active participation can significantly enhance learner engagement and retention.

What tools do I need to create an eLearning course?

Essential tools for creating an eLearning course include a Learning Management System (LMS) for hosting and delivering your course, authoring tools for creating interactive content, and assessment tools for evaluating learner progress. These tools work together to provide a comprehensive eLearning experience.

How do I personalize eLearning courses?

Personalize eLearning courses by analyzing learner data and feedback to understand their needs and preferences. Segment learners based on criteria like roles or skill levels to tailor content. Offering customizable learning paths allows learners to explore topics of interest at their own pace, enhancing the personalization of the learning experience.

Can eLearning courses be automated?

Yes, eLearning courses can be automated using the right LMS. Automation can include the scheduling of course assignments, sending reminders, and tracking progress, which helps in delivering training efficiently and ensuring timely completion by learners.

How do I measure the success of an eLearning course?

Measure the success of an eLearning course by tracking engagement metrics such as course completion rates, time spent on the course, and performance on quizzes. Analyzing feedback from surveys and assessments provides insights into learner satisfaction and areas for improvement. Observing the practical application of skills learned in the workplace is also a key indicator of success.

How often should I update my eLearning course?

eLearning courses should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure they remain relevant and effective. This includes updating content to reflect the latest industry standards, technological advancements, and learner feedback. A periodic review, at least annually, is recommended to keep the course content fresh and engaging.

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About the Author
Terri James, VP of Product at Continu
Terri James
VP of Product

Terri is the VP of Product at Continu, a modern Learning Management System built to help companies train employees, customers and partners using one platform. For over a decade, Terri has led Continu as a product and is passionate about helping companies build a culture of learning.

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