Rapid eLearning is a new way to quickly explore content and redefine eLearning within organizations.

As learning professionals, we are consistently tasked with finding the “new”, the “better”, the “does this fit our learning objectives the best”. Some times we are afforded the time to do so, other times we are met with quick turn around times, important dead lines, and legalities that require a quick solution.

Like many, I am well versed in the ways of traditional eLearning development. A team of designers grouped to create a unique or out-of-the-box learning solution. Multiple meetings with Subject Matter Experts to ensure the content is just right. The long wait between kick-off, the first iteration, and the final deliverable.

While this model of development may be a fit for some eLearning projects, it can prove to be costly as well as time-consuming for others.

In comes, Rapid eLearning (ReL), or an expedited eLearning process that utilizes previously existing content and story-telling to design a learning experience that is cost-effective, easily editable in the future, and rapidly available to learners.

Rapid eLearning is a condensed eLearning development method that can often be created without the massive team that is normally required to create a traditional eLearning course. BUT ( a very important but) keep in mind: rapid eLearning should only be implemented for eLearning courses that can fit into very specific guidelines:

Guideline 1: The need for your learning is immediate.

ReL should be implemented when the need of the learner to review materials is immediate. For example: a new law changes some aspect of a business. Learners would need to know what this law entails and how it effects their positions quickly. You could later develop this into something more.

Guideline 2: There is no need to analyze or learn more information about the topic

One critical component to developing successful learning is that the objectives fit the content and vice versa. Hours of learning and analysis are poured into the design. In the case of ReL, content has already gone through this in-depth phase and information about the topic is readily available or is a re-design of previous content. This chops the timeline and cost of the process.

Guideline 3: The learner’s situation requires simple, digestible, information to complete their job.

ReL is a simple way to get learners the information they need quickly and affordably.