Quality Assurance (QA) is the process of having a trained reviewer check and double-check a project to ensure there are no mistakes in the project translation, graphics or functionality of the course (click-throughs, quiz content, videos, etc). QA review is an important step that project managers should include in the project process before launching a newly translated course on their LMS.
Common eLearning Mistakes
The quality assurance process is there to catch any errors that may have come up during the eLearning translation process.
The most common mistakes that are found during a QA is in the translations. Companies often use a native-speaking person in their office to perform the translations, instead of a professional linguist – which can often lead to translation errors.
Other common mistakes that a QA review will help you find are in the course graphics. The text overlaying graphics can be translated incorrectly or it might not have a proper layout in the image file. Graphics are also sometimes placed in the wrong position, order, or page in the course.
An effective QA review will help you uncover any errors that could hinder the effectiveness of the course. The focus of the QA process is to ensure that your course is error-free and ready for the end-user.
QA Review Checklist
For an efficient QA, create an “eLearning Review Checklist.” This checklist should tell reviewers exactly what you want to be reviewed and how you want their feedback documented. Create a central location for reviews and standardize the form or method (spreadsheet etc) they are to use. This eliminates trying to read, cut, and paste emails, Word documents, and other feedback into one form.
Reviewing translated eLearning content is challenging, and there are a lot of items your reviewers should look for, beginning with:
- What is the quality of the translation?
- Is the terminology correct?
- Are the audio segments synced properly?
- Have graphics been properly localized?
- Is the layout correct or are there text expansion issues?
Go through the presentation or coursework slide by slide. Try to have reviewers look at the course with “beginner eyes” and a beginner mind—like someone being shown the information for the very first time.
Have reviewers make sure that every aspect of the course is functional. This means clicking on every button and testing every course function, interactive aspect, and forward and backward controls.
Although QA can be time-consuming, in the long run, it will pay off in better, more professional, and dependable eLearning course content for your global audience.
Better Reviews With Course Inspector
If you’re in need of a more efficient eLearning review process, check out Inspector.
Inspector is a web-based application that works with all major eLearning development platforms. Within the program, your reviewers can view the course slide-by-slide and quickly report issues as they go. All requested edits are tied to the corresponding slide and recorded in a standardized format, so you have an organized look at where changes need to be made.
Click the button below to learn more about how Inspector can improve your eLearning review process!
