Converting PowerPoint Presentations to eLearning
There are many trainers out there that are sitting on presentations which are usually in PowerPoint. While you will probably want to update the material, you don’t need to scrap it altogether. If you would like to take the presentation and make it an interactive elearning course, here are a few tips:
Choose the right authoring tool – there are a number of authoring tools that will help with the transformation and each one has different capabilities. Some of the most popular and useful tools are Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate and Lectora. I suggest researching each and figuring out which one will best suit your needs.
Rejig the layout – there’s no need to stick to the same layout and in fact, will increase the visual impact to the learner if you do change it up. You will want to add new images, clickable links, outside resources, learning activities, etc.
Branching menu – this is a key feature that will give the learner the autonomy digest small bits of information when they need it and not get overloaded with information.
Include stories or scenarios – creating real world scenarios will help learners make choices and learn about real world consequences based on the content they have just gone through. The more memorable and relatable the experience the higher chance there is of retention.
Before you dive into the creation process, it's always wise to map out your entire elearning presentation. Develop a plan for each page and decide which elements you are going to include. You may want to consider developing a mind map or storyboard to help you with this process. Determine the flow and pace of the elearning presentation, so that you can design the elearning experience around this structure. Keep in mind that organization is key when creating elearning presentations, as it will allow you to stay on-topic and only include elements that are absolutely necessary.
Always be aware of the learning objectives, so that you can custom tailor every aspect of the eLearning presentation to help learners get one step closer to achieving their primary goal. For example, prior choosing the ideal graphics to incorporate, decide whether or not that particular element is going to serve your learning objectives. If you haven't already figured out your learning objectives, sit down with your team and business leaders to define them
