Ten commandments of e-learning

Clive Shepherd's ten commandments of e-learning, restricted to the design of interactive, e-learning content:

1. Structure into modules.
2. Keep each module to one main idea.
3. Hook the learner in.
• Gain the learner's attention and obtain an emotional reaction to make the content more memorable.
4. Build on the learner's prior knowledge.
• Use activities that help the learner to relate the new material to what they already know.
5. Present your idea clearly and simply.
• Media should be chosen for their ability to aid understanding and memory, not because they impress.
6. Eliminate all unnecessary detail.
• Make it as simple as you can, but no simpler. Extra detail won't be remembered. If a learner genuinely wants more detail, supply it as a PDF.
7. Put the idea into context using demonstrations, examples, cases and stories.
• Learners want ideas that are relevant to their current problems.
8. Encourage the learner to work with the idea.
• Use cases, problems, exercises, scenarios, simulations to provide the learner with the opportunity to test out the idea and, where relevant, to build skill.
9. Assess knowledge if you must.
• The fact that many of the learner's answers will come from short-term memory makes the reliability questionable; however, managers and learners often want to see some record of achievement.
10. Bridge to the next step.
• Interactive materials are rarely an end in themselves. Consider how the learner will be able to provide feedback on the materials or ask any questions they may have; provide a mechanism for discussion of the content; provide links to supplementary materials etc.

Similarly, click here for Cath Ellis's ten commandments.