Why perform a quality assurance review?
Quality assurance (QA) is a critical part of eLearning development that helps ensure the quality of a course before it's released.
An eLearning QA is a process used to monitor and enforce standards. You want to deliver engaging online courses that add high value to learners. eLearning quality assurance testing is about making your online course bug-free, identifying opportunities to improve the usability experience, and making the online course engaging.
A QA review ensures the delivery of an outstanding training product. Those reviews must be done to guarantee that learners will have an effective and enjoyable learning experience, free from functional or grammatical errors, inconsistencies in the content hierarchy, or LMS malfunctioning, among other issues.
A layered approach to QA review
CONTENT REVIEW
consistency and accuracy
completeness
course hierarchy
grammar
spelling
punctuation
adherence to style guides and brand standards
appropriateness of media elements
FUNCTIONALITY
forward and backward navigation
interactions
button states
table of contents and menu
responses to quizzes and other assessments - also check if all learning objectives are being assessed
slide transitions
timelines
glossary
resources
DESIGN AND VISUALS
quality and appropriateness of media elements
visual alignment
magnification of images
audio and video synchronization
TECHNOLOGY
cross-browser compatibility
cross-platform compatibility
LMS performance - scenarios: complete, incomplete, bookmarks
Modules will be tested in SCORMCloud and, if access is available, also in the same LMS used by the client.
Recording errors and feedback
While performing QA reviews, I keep track of all errors, issues, and feedback. If a collaborative web app, such as Articulate Review is not available, I will provide feedback using a customized spreadsheet that will be shared with course developers, clients, and project managers. It is essential that all team players have access to the same document to expedite review and minimize inconsistencies in feedback.
I am eager to share my knowledge and I provide as much support to content developers as possible. When I QA review an eLearning module, I also offer solutions, point developers to resources, and help troubleshoot any technical issues.