The ideal review process for your eLearning projects

The review process is undoubtedly one of the most complex and stressful parts of any eLearning project. Project initiators, control groups, subject matter experts, editors, supervisors—they all contribute their feedback and make the list of to-dos longer with each check. Only effective planning can help you avoid sinking into chaos. In this article, you’ll find a wealth of valuable tips to help you prepare the review process in a way that keeps you in control at all times, and roll out a functional, accurate and appropriate eLearning project quickly.

The ideal review process for eLearning, step-by-step

The ideal review process generally consists of four phases. However, before you can get to work on these four phases, you need some pointers to help you prepare, and a list of the elements you need to check. Having this knowledge in advance makes it easier to understand the structure of the review process and prepare accordingly.

Step 1

Make preparations

The review process is undoubtedly the most stressful part of any eLearning project—especially when different stakeholders are involved and providing feedback. Only good preparation can ensure that the process does not get out of control and that the eLearning project can be published online at the planned time. The following five points help with implementation:

Define a set number of review cycles

Define a set number of review cycles, who is entitled to give feedback, and who is responsible for which aspects, right from the outset. From experience, we know that there are always going to be points that could be further improved, even after several review cycles. If a clear limit is not set right from the start, you run the risk of getting stuck in the review process.

Deadlines

The same applies to the reviewers: The feedback process is a sub-project and needs a clear deadline for everyone involved. This avoids dragging it out unnecessarily, and ensures you have plenty of time to implement the amendments.

Feedback training

Not all feedback is constructive and, in fact, giving appropriate feedback can be tricky. A short briefing will help you avoid having to ask more questions down the line. You can find tips on this further on in the article.

Not all feedback needs to be actioned

Keep in mind that not all feedback needs to be actioned, but there should be no content, technical or linguistic errors by the time you get to the end product. With other aspects, such as didactics and design, which allow more room for discussion, you can decide on a case-by-case basis whether amendments are strictly necessary and whether the effort and benefits are proportionate.

Understanding of the software

Everyone involved in the review process should have a basic understanding of how the software used to create the content works. This understanding helps you to assess which corrections can be implemented, how much effort they will involve, and what additional information may be required.

Step 2

Create a list of all of the aspects that need to be covered by the review process

Linguistic accuracy

Spelling and grammar
Ideally, translations should be reviewed by a native speaker

Technical accuracy

Do all the links and buttons work?
Does the navigation align with the content, and does the navigation link to the appropriate sections?
Do videos, graphics and audio files appear correctly?
Are all compulsory parts of the course marked as such?

Content accuracy

Are all the facts correct?
Does the content progress logically?
Is all the key content included?
Are the test answers correct?

Design aspects

Are all the facts correct?
Does the content progress logically?
Is all the key content included?
Are the test answers correct?

Didactic aspects

Does the content align with the course objectives?
Are complex topics presented sufficiently clearly?
Are there any sections that are not absolutely necessary or that are unnecessarily difficult?
Do learners find the course navigation intuitive?
Was enough different media used to address all kinds of learning preferences?

Step 3

Plan the review process

...

Phase 1: Storyboard Phase 2: Prototype Phase 3: Beta test Phase 4: Final

Result
A course with a logical structure and intuitive navigation that conveys all the necessary—and no unnecessary—content

Reviewer
The project “sponsor”, or the person(s) who initiated the project, a subject matter expert, an average learner

Aspects to review
Didactic aspects and accuracy of the content

Tip
Allow enough time for this phase, as all subsequent cycles are much more time-consuming and build on its foundation

Result
A fully functional and well-designed course, updated based on feedback from phase 1

Reviewer
The project “sponsor”, or the person(s) who initiated the project, a content editor

Aspects to review
Design aspects, technical accuracy, linguistic accuracy

Tip
You can still make minor corrections to the content in this phase. All major changes, however, should be completed in phase 1.

Result
A fully functional and well-designed course, updated based on feedback from phase 2

Reviewer
A control group of learners

Aspects to review
Ease of use, relevance of the course to training needs, practicality/transferability of content

Tip
This phase can sometimes bring about major changes. Therefore, be sure to plan enough time.

Result
The finished course, updated based on feedback from phase 3

Reviewer
The project “sponsor”, or the person(s) who initiated the project, a subject matter expert, if content has changed—a content editor

Aspects to review
Focused solely on resolving errors in all aspects of the course

Tip
There should be no more substantial changes made in this phase. This is the final review before the course is published.

Why beta testing is so important

Perhaps the most crucial review phase is the one involving the learners themselves. After all, they are the ones who ultimately need to learn from the eLearning content and transfer the knowledge they gain from the learning environment into practice. Once the first two review cycles have been completed, online courses should always be reviewed one last time by a small, selected test group that is as diverse as possible. Provide the test group with a sufficiently comprehensive digital or analog commenting facility that enables them to provide their thoughts on the individual screens/elements. With an additional questionnaire or interview, they can provide feedback on comprehensibility, transferability, enjoyment, etc.

Checklist

Perfect your review process

Ensure your content project is a success

Avoid endless feedback loops and review chaos with this expert checklist. Created by experienced e-learning authors for e-learning authors and stakeholders — for consistent quality management and optimal results.

Download checklist

How to provide feedback

No matter which review cycle you are in, you are dependent on constructive, easy-to-understand and immediately actionable feedback. If the feedback is too general, additional time is required for clarification. It’s therefore a good idea to provide a short feedback briefing to all stakeholders at the beginning to help them formulate their responses. This briefing may include the following examples:

Not helpful

I don’t like the wording.
Please change the color.
Great!

Helpful

Let’s put it this way instead: “…”
The orange in the header is too light, you can’t read the text on it. Please use a darker shade.
This image really helped me remember the five bullet points.

Also, be sure to encourage positive feedback from stakeholders, especially in the learner beta test. Specific positive feedback can be just as helpful as critical feedback, and it also contributes significantly to a more positive feedback culture.

The bottom line.

No part of eLearning content creation is as stressful as the review process: Only good planning can save the team from chaos. However, if all review phases have been planned and scheduled, and all review aspects considered from the outset, nothing will stand in the way of the rollout. Professional software can support you in developing a well thought-out review process, and even facilitate simultaneous reviews. When choosing your authoring tool, pay attention to the review functions and features right from the start.