Photo by: Dean Mitchell via Canva
When working on an e-learning project, one of the key factors in the success of the project is the instructional designer’s relationship with the IT Department.
So, how do you build and strengthen this relationship? These six tips will help the process run more smoothly:
Know Your Terms
Effective communication is important in any relationship. Make sure you understand and share any technical or training-related terms and jargon.
Get to Know Each Other
Make an effort to build a relationship with the technical department. Find out who they are, what they do, and how they might be involved in an e-learning project.
Meet Face-to-Face
Present your proposal for the e-learning course in person. Explain what you would like to do and how it involves IT.
Share the Project
Ask for input from IT at all levels of the instructional design process. Discuss their ideas and concerns openly. Be respectful and receptive to their needs and concerns.
Conduct Open Design Meetings
Ask members of the IT department to sit in on design meetings. This will help encourage team work. They may also have valuable ideas to offer.
Draw a Big, Clear Picture
Provide an overview of the course by presenting storyboards and screenshots. Provide web addresses of e-learning courses with similar features and layouts to the one you want to design.
Producing interactive and robust e-learning is a challenging enough task on its own. Without the support and input of the IT department it is extra challenging! Following these six simple tips will help things go more smoothly.
Do you have any tried-and-true tips to add to this list? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!
