Content Chunking in E-learning

What is

content in the

eLearning context?

Content in the context of an eLearning course is any material – text, audio, videos, images, etc. that can be used by instructional designers as raw material to

design and develop an eLearning course.

EN

Content Chunking and its Importance

Chunking is a method of presenting information by splitting information into

small pieces or “chunks” to facilitate quick and easy

reading and understanding.

Helps learners understand the subject matter easily

Enables the use of different media to present the content

Is useful when working with limited screen spaces of

various devices

Content Chunking

The Stepping Stone for Content Chunking – Content Comprehension

Content Comprehension is the key factor before chunking content. Five steps are involved in the content comprehension process. Let’s see

Step 1 - Gather all inputs

Gather all the material available, including inputs from stakeholders

Step 2 Analyze the content

Closely analyze and assess the inputs to ascertain what is relevant and useful

Step 3 - Set Broad Learning Objectives

Setting learning objectives clearly mentions what learners are going to learn and what they will achieve on

completion of the course.

Step 4 Research and Summarize

Researching the content and segregating them based on the Learning Objectives

Step 5 - Chalk out a Broad Course Map

A “broad course map” gives a big picture of the entire course and provides direction to chunk the course content.

How to Chunk Content?

Human brain has the capability to hold only limited

information at a time.

The Magic Number 7, plus or minus 2, describes that number of ideas, facts, or issues that an average individual can hold in his working memory is 7 ± 2. This is called the Rule of 7 ”“

- George M i l l e r E x p e r i m e n t a l p s y c h o l o g i s t

Content chunking has to

be done at two levels

Content chunking at the course level

detailed course outline or hierarchyDevelop a

Guidelines for Content chunking at the course level

Set learning objectives

Set enabling or subordinate objectives

Define the scope of the content

Decide which Instructional Strategy is to be used

Decide on the devices used to access the course

Adopt an evaluation methodology

Determine the duration of the course

Content chunking at the screen level

will be the storyboard.

The output of screen level content chunking

Guidelines for Content chunking at the screen level

One Learning Point on each screen “Need-to-know” content on-screen Reusable Learning Object (RLO)

Effective chunking is the key to effective course development.

Chunking is done at the course level and finally at the screen level.

Multiple media are used in an eLearning course.

Chunking is done keeping in mind the overall learning goals of the course.