Should you learn how to code as an elearning professional?
Read time: 4 minutes
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Let me get right to the point. Should you learn how to code as an e-learning professional?
The short answer to that question is: no.
Learning how to code doesn’t make sense for you as an e-learning professional. But you can benefit greatly from a programming mindset. I will explain this in a minute.
But first…
You have two terms: coding and programming and although they are often used interchangeably do not mean the same thing to me.
Let me explain…
Coding is picking a language (PHP, JAVA, Python) and writing lines of code to create an application from scratch.
But programming is broader. Think about it: you can program up an app, a washing machine, or a game without manually typing in lines of code. To me, programming is all about the logic behind the curtain. It’s a mindset, how you tackle problems, and the blueprint you use. Getting into that programmer headspace? That’s your ticket from juggling content to solving the puzzle.”
So now you know what I think of “programming.” let me give you 5 reasons why it does come in very handy as an e-learning professional to know something about programming.
- Efficient Collaboration with Developers: By understanding the programming approach, you can clearly articulate your course requirements to developers. It bridges the communication gap, ensuring you both speak a similar language. This makes the development process smoother and more effective.
- Scalable and Modular Course Design: Adopting the modular approach common in programming, you can create e-learning modules that are reusable and adaptable. This is great for consistent branding, quicker course development, and easy updates to content without rebuilding from scratch.
- Enhanced Problem-Solving & Debugging: Just as programmers troubleshoot code, you can efficiently identify and resolve issues in e-learning content. This “debugging” mindset ensures that any hiccups in the learner’s journey, like navigation issues or content ambiguities, are addressed promptly.
- Iterative Development and Feedback Loop: Programmers work in iterations, constantly refining based on feedback. You can adopt this method by releasing pilot versions of courses, gathering learner feedback, and refining content for better clarity and engagement. This ensures the final product is polished and meets learners’ needs.
- Prototyping and Testing: In programming, creating prototypes before the final product is standard. You can design course mock-ups or prototypes to test the flow, interactivity, and user experience. Working closely with developers, these prototypes can be refined and adjusted before the full development, saving time and resources.
In essence, thinking like a programmer can significantly enhance your efficiency and effectiveness when creating e-learning courses, especially when working alongside developers in e-learning course creation.
See you next week
Mark
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