Evaluation of e-learning Courses

Summary

I conducted an evaluation of an e-learning course, focusing on both pedagogical effectiveness and technical functionality. The evaluation process included assessing learning outcomes, instructional clarity, engagement strategies, and technical elements such as navigation and user interface. 

Responsibilities: Testing and evaluation
Target audience: Photography students
Tools used: Canvas
Client: Instructional designer K.K.

Problem Statement

An instructional designer approached me to evaluate her new e-learning course designed for amateur photographers. While she had extensive content knowledge and design skills, she needed an independent review to ensure the course was pedagogically sound and technically functional before launch. She particularly wanted to verify that the learning path was clear and engaging for photographers at different skill levels.

Solution

I conducted a comprehensive course evaluation focusing on both pedagogical effectiveness and technical functionality. This dual approach ensured that the course not only facilitated effective learning but also provided a seamless user experience.

Process

Pedagogical Evaluation:
Learning Outcomes Assessment
  • Reviewed clarity and measurability of learning objectives
  • Checked alignment between objectives and content
  • Evaluated appropriateness for target audience
  • Assessed progression of learning complexity
Instructional Design Analysis
  • Evaluated clarity of instructions and task descriptions
  • Assessed effectiveness of learning activities
  • Reviewed appropriacy of examples and scenarios
  • Analysed assessment methods and feedback mechanisms
Engagement and Interactivity
  • Evaluated interactive elements and their purpose
  • Assessed variety of learning activities
  • Reviewed engagement strategies
  • Analysed pacing and content chunking
Technical Quality Review:
Navigation and Functionality
  • Tested all navigation paths
  • Verified functionality of interactive elements
  • Checked responsive design on different devices
  • Identified and documented broken links
User Interface Elements
  • Verified all CTAs (Calls to Action)
  • Tested form submissions and feedback
  • Checked multimedia element functionality
  • Assessed loading times and performance
Content Quality
  • Reviewed image quality and relevance
  • Checked for spelling and grammatical errors
  • Verified accuracy of photography terminology
  • Assessed consistency in formatting and style