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How much should you pay for eLearning?
By Natalie Darby
As an instructional designer and eLearning developer for the last 10 years, I often get asked ‘How much for a 15 or 30 minute eLearning module?’. The answer I’d like to give is: how long is a piece of string? There are a number of variables which contribute to the cost of eLearning. We will explore these variables here so you can concentrate on what is important for your organisation and get the best quality possible for your budget.
1. Quality expectations. This is a big one! Think about what ‘good’ eLearning looks like to you and your organisation. Some organisations just starting out on their eLearning journey will see an eLearning module with reasonable graphics and some interactivity as outstanding. Other organisations may expect a higher level of sophistication, including gamification elements, such as simulated activities, which can add considerably to the cost of a module. Regardless of where you sit, focus on what you are trying to achieve. What behaviours do you want the eLearning to inspire, stop or sustain? The quality comes down to how effectively you change required behaviours. All elements within the eLearning should support, and not distract, from your key messages. Time, cost and quality are tightly related. If you are short of time then either the cost will go up or the quality may suffer.
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Quality Expectation Tip
Ask for an example of the instructional designer’s previous work and agree on the training needs analysis before development begins so you don’t waste time and money on a product which doesn’t give the required results, regardless of the level of sophistication. Ask for a timeframe for developing the eLearning and then allow enough time for thorough reviews and testing.
2. eLearning Authoring Tools. There are a number of software products available now which make eLearning development easier. It is much cheaper to build an eLearning module in a product such as Articulate or Captivate than it is to code directly into html. These tools are now so advanced that there is not much you can’t do, however, you will need to work within the parameters of the program. An eLearning module can get expensive when you require customisation for things such as navigation, activity and audio control. Where possible use the options provided within the authoring tool. For example, if you don’t learners to select every option on a screen then you can use the native (built in) Previous and Next buttons in Articulate. However, if you want restrict progress then you’ll need the developer to create custom navigation buttons.
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eLearning Authoring Tools Tip
Use native navigation, glossary, resource options and video controls where possible. You can save money on re-work and updates if you own the software the eLearning is developed in and pay for the source file. After you have a few examples and templates, you can try developing in-house if you have resources with strong instructional design skills. Remember: quality comes down to how effectively you change required behaviours.
3. Template. The first eLearning will generally cost more unless you already have a template. Your first eLearning will need decisions on size, corporate colours to be used, graphic design style and layouts and words for the welcome screen, section screens, learning objectives, activities, quizzes and exit screens. Clever graphic design and layout can help your audience work quickly and happily through the eLearning module. You’ll need to think about where will ‘help’ and ‘navigation’ information go, how will the learner progress through the module (next and previous buttons), how will you manage activities and quizzes or assessments, additional resources and glossary information. What instructions are required when the learner leaves the course?
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Templates Tip
Invest the time in getting your template right in the first instance. It will pay off down the track! If you don’t have a template make sure you have your corporate style guide ready to give the eLearning developer. Have answers ready to as many of the questions above as you possibly can and be prepared for the first module to have additional reviews as you work with the developer to come up with a shell you reuse for future projects.
4. Audio. Having audio for an eLearning is standard these days as most people have access to speakers or headphones. Background music for animations and voiceover for text on screen keep your learners engaged. For voiceover to sound good it needs to be recorded in one go so there isn’t volume variation, or it needs to be recorded on professional equipment. Ask your developer how they manage audio.
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Audio Tip
Match the audio to the text on screen to make it easier to create a voiceover script and so you know your learners are not missing out if they don’t have access to audio. Consider only voicing the main screens or introducing each screen if your budget and timeframe is tight. Leave voiceover recording until last and carefully review the text before signing off. It can be expensive to re-record voiceover!
Leave voiceover recording until last and carefully review the text before signing off. It can be expensive to re-record voiceover!
5. Images. A picture says a thousand words so you should make the most of this in eLearning. With short attention spans you can reduce ‘time off tools’ with good images and diagrams. If you can provide your eLearning developer with the images you want this can save you (and them) a lot of time and money. Stock images are cheap and work well when an image doesn’t necessarily contribute to the learning and is there for aesthetics only.
Tips: Ask your eLearning developer how they will use images and agree up front. Use images from your workplace, if possible, to convey relevance to your audience and keep your costs down. Use free stock images from sites like Pixabay for aesthetics.
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Images Tip
Ask your eLearning developer how they will use images and agree up front. Use images from your workplace, if possible, to convey relevance to your audience and keep your costs down. Use free stock images from sites like Pixabay for aesthetics.
6. Video / animation. If a picture says a thousand words, think about how much you can say in a short video or animation! While video and animation are not cheap they can be really worthwhile for conveying large amounts of information in a short timeframe. Think about the return on investment for shortening an eLearning module by even 10 minutes across a large audience. Video is also really powerful for engagement when you have a project sponsor or executive conveying key messages.
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Video Animation Tip
Talk to your instructional designer or eLearning developer about options for video or animation where you can see a return on investment. Be prepared to offer site locations at your workplace and organise any ‘actors’ and permissions.
7. Accessibility. The cost of an eLearning module can be influenced by the level of accessibility required. While all eLearning should have elements which make them accessible for a range of disabilities if there are strict accessibility requirements this is likely to cost a little more. Time and effort goes into creating alternative versions or ensuring the Alt Text (alternative text for screen readers) works.
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Accessibility Tip
Understand your requirements and let your developer know upfront so accessibility is built-in from the start. Using words such as ‘select’ instead of ‘click’ and avoiding drag and drop activities which cannot be completed using a keyboard are our top accessibility tips.
8. Testing and Reviews. A lot of developer time goes into testing an eLearning module to make sure it works the way it should. It can also be costly for a developer when changes are made when the module is reviewed.
Tips: Using the native (built-in) features the authoring tool and limiting customisations can reduce testing time. You can also talk to your developer about being involved in the testing process to reduce this cost for them. Take the time to carefully review the eLearning module at storyboard stage (before development) and on the first review. The earlier you pick up issues and fewer reviews required to ‘get it right’ the more you can ask your eLearning developer to discount their price! Try agreeing a number of reviews or edits in your contract to get a better deal. Download our free eLearning Review Checklists from our website.
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Testing and Reviews Tip
Using the native (built-in) features the authoring tool and limiting customisations can reduce testing time. You can also talk to your developer about being involved in the testing process to reduce this cost for them. Take the time to carefully review the eLearning module at storyboard stage and on the first review. The earlier you pick up issues and fewer reviews required to ‘get it right’ the more you can ask your eLearning developer to discount their price! Try agreeing a number of reviews or edits in your contract to get a better deal.
Lastly, look at options for copyright. Your eLearning developer may be willing to absorb some of the cost of production if they can reuse the material. This isn’t always possible, but something to think about for compliance and professional development related material which may be relevant at other workplaces.
So, how much should you pay for eLearning? Pay what you need to get a product which will effectively change the behaviours you are targeting. Make sure your eLearning is a good return on investment. Use the tips above to drive your costs down and your quality up.
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