e-Learning for Development

		Implementation

		How do you know if your e-learning materials are ready to be delivered?
		Identify the components of a formative evaluation and plan for the formative evaluation of your own e-Learning.

		This module contains 6 lessons, including a review quiz and a discussion. Their is no assignment but you are expected to participate in the on-line discussion. By the end of this module you will have learned about the major considerations involved in implementing an e-Learning course.
3 stages of formative evaluation		Thus far in the e-Learning course production process, you have completed the analysis, design and development phases of instructional design. You are now ready for implementation, the first phase of which should include testing your materials to determine and improve their effectiveness prior to full implementation. This process is called formative evaluation. There are three stages in a complete formative evaluation process (TIP, 1990). Expert Review Competent experts in the field check the content for validity, relevancy and currency of the content. Developmental Test A small number of learners from the target population work through the materials with the e-Learning developer. Field Test The e-Learning is piloted with a larger group of learners to determine whether or not the materials are ready for actual implementation. The field trial is conducted in the real environment to simulate actual implementation.
The process in detail		Ideally, each stage of formative evaluation would occur in sequence, with a revision step between each stage. To learn more, click the appropriate stage in the diagram below.

		Click here to view a table outlining this process in detail.
Reality check		If the formative evaluation process outlined in this lesson seems time-consuming and expensive, that's because it can be. Many e-Learning developers opt to complete two of the three stages; most commonly, the expert review and some form of field test. The process you choose will undoubtedly be a result of your own context (i.e. budget, time).
Next lesson		The importance of conducting some type of formative evaluation to ensure the quality of your instructional product is clear. A number of other factors that cannot necessarily be controlled by evaluation and revision will also contribute to the overall quality of the e-Learning experience. One of these factors is computer-mediated communication, which is discussed in the next lesson.