Guidance for education

Digital learning resources should be created to meet a clear learning need for a defined group of learners. Evidence-informed pedagogical principles should be adopted in the development of the resource and adequate planning and consideration should be given to the most appropriate formats that the resource should take.  

The Guideline is based on the following principles: 

1. A clear project brief/learning need has been identified and the learning outcomes are clearly stated and constructively aligned with service needs/improvements. 

2. There is clear rationale for the digital approach chosen, including the incorporation of existing resources/content where available.  

3. The following have been identified and can be articulated: 

• The prior knowledge and skills needed by learners to complete or participate 

• The target audience(s) 

• Where this resource fits in as part of a wider learning journey (e.g. is it linked to a qualification, accreditation, learning programme, etc. or is it a stand-alone resource?) 

• The lifespan of the resource, including (where applicable) how often it will need to be reviewed and updated. 

4. What is expected from learners in terms of using and/or completing the resource has been clearly articulated (e.g. is there an assessment at the end? Will learners get a certificate of completion?). 

5. Evidence-informed pedagogical principles are adopted in the writing, design and development of the resource (e.g. Mayer’s Principles of Multimedia Learning (2020) Reference detail can be found in Further guidance and resources section on this page). 

6. The choice of format (e.g. e-Learning module, video, etc.) for the learning resource is aligned to the learning outcomes (i.e. the chosen format enables the learner to achieve the learning outcomes) whilst being mindful of the available budget, accessibility requirements and resources allocated for the project. 

7. Where external Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are used, an educator within NES has been identified who will be responsible for liaising with the SME and supporting them to ensure these Guidelines are met. 

8. Confirm who will have overall responsibility for the resource for the purposes of reviewing, updating, and evaluating the resource  

This Guideline is for anyone involved in the design and development of digital learning resources. It will also be useful for project managers with oversight of resources. 

• Refer to the Writing content section of the Turas style guide version 2 (note this is currently in development)for guidance on how to write effective and consistent online content.  

• Refer to the appropriate sections of the Quality Guielines: Usability and navigation and Accessibility for guidance on how to design your digital learning resource to ensure it can be used without difficulty by your learners and it follows best practice for accessibility and meets legal requirements. 

• Technology Enhanced learning Design and Facilitation Turas e-Learning modules contain TEL Design modules. 

• Mayer, R. E. (2020) Multimedia Learning. 3rd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781316941355. 

Consider Mayer’s fifteen principles of multimedia design (2020) when designing your digital learning resource: