At eCreators we’ve been developing online content from 2007, and for some of our staff, earlier than that. It’s allowed us to see somewhat of an evolution in the way content is created. Not only do we create and curate a stack of content, we get to review, be it through customer migrations, trade shows or otherwise, some of the other gear out there being passed off as e-learning.

We still see in this day and age, basic, un-interesting template driven, stock image saturated content, some of which I’m sure pre dates the wheel.

Please world. We beg you. If we don’t build your content, then please take the following into consideration….

1. 1. The basic one. Are my content developers from an educational background – or even better, from multi-modal backgrounds? Most importantly, they need to have some edtech skills, rather than be the master of CTRL-C and CTRL-V (apologies to my Mac friends, but you know where I’m going with this). There are objectives that need to be completed, competency gaps that need to be closed. How does your content provider demonstrate to you how this will happen, and how vested are they in your programs success after the last pixel is placed, and the last invoice sent?
  2. Think outside the square, or in our wonderful world of design these days ‘The Template’. With the rise of rapid development tools like Articulate Storyline, Gomo etc we’ve seen a rapid rise of standard, off the shelf content that all looks the same. These tools all have a place, don’t get me wrong, but just as you don’t eat the same meal every day, please don’t for feed your learners with basic, rapidly churned out courses. Curation before and after Creation.
  3. Use more modes. Video is so great, everyone’s consuming it. Maybe I should have produced this post in video? Actually, I will soon, so its available in different modes. Video is so easy. With a decent enough mic, iPhone and a tripod, or tools like Swivl, you can produce really good results in house. You can even buy a green screen for $90 off ebay and create an awesome looking set (lights are included with your $90 green screen). Point is, you can really mix up your delivery modes, without using stock and make your learning authoritative and meaningful. It’s why we build a studio in our offices for our clients to use for free. It was no trouble.

While the race for the most content in one place rages on and the shuffling for position of the best platform, never undermine quality and a sense of uniqueness. Stand out from the crowd by really testing your ideas. At eCreators we’ve moved from ‘Content Development House’ to Digital Content Agency. See the difference. See you in the next installation of this 3 part series.