Course Development Process
Course Development
The successful development of Independent Study and Resident courses for EMI will require following our development workflow, including careful attention to the details of our chosen instructional model, using only our new Learning Content Management System, and inclusive product design following section 508 compliance.
Following this guide, you will discover how to develop courses for EMI using the new dominKnow LCMS, our developments standards, templates, and some tips & tricks to help meet the requirements that entail completing a successful course development.
Begin with this short video introduction to the dominKnow LCMS:
Development Requirements
Development of courses for EMI must successfully meet all requirements for Distance Learning and Resident course standards. This begins with completing the LCMS training. The LCMS must be used as the primary authoring tool to create the course materials. Additional tools to develop assets (videos, graphics, audio, etc.) may also be used.
All final course materials must meet the requirements in the checklist below (and further throughout this page).
Development Workflow
The ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation) framework will be used when developing materials for EMI. The Course Development workflow is intended to provide a high level overview of the course development process and access requirements in the LCMS. The workflow intentionally excludes all steps of the ADDIE process and instead, focusses on the EMI reviews.
Follow the steps below for a detailed explanation of the workflow.
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Course Manager Submits Project
Course manager provides Developer and Reviewer Information to Curriculum Standards and Instructional Technology (CSIT) Branch along with other project documentation. Project approved to move forward.
Required information includes:
- Project timeline (or POP)
- Developer information
- Reviewer information
- Approved project package
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Development
Developers must complete the required LCMS training before CSIT will provide access to the LCMS
- CSIT provides developer access
- Developer begins course creation using the approved LCMS only
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Subject Matter Expert (SME) Review
It is typical for the SME review process to last 10 business days
- Course may be open to SMEs for review and comments
- SMEs are not required to complete LCMS training
- Reviewer Job Aid is available for guidance on completing reviews
- Adjust project management plans to include SME reviews
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EMI Technical Review
Completed by CSIT branch after receving notification that development is complete. Allow 10 business days for each review to complete
- Once course is fully developed, course manager notifies CSIT that course is ready for technical review
- Review is intended to confirm that the course meets all LCMS Requirements
- CSIT will complete reviews within 10 business days of receiving notification
- During the Technical Review, CSIT will also confirm that all course materials are included, match, and are ready. Materials include but are not limited to: Plan of Instruction, Test Bank, Course Mapping Tool, Handouts, etc.
- Adjust project management plans to include time for technical reviews (including multiple iterations)
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508 Review
The final 508 review will be conducted by CSIT branch after the previous reviews have completed. Allow 10 business days for each 508 review to complete
- Course is expected to be reviewed by developer prior to this review
- Course manager shall submit for review once course meets EMI Technical Review
- Developers may be required to make changes depending on findings
- Multiple reviews may be required
- Adjust project management plans to include time for Section 508 reviews
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Production (Complete)
After a course has passed all reviews, the course will be set to production and the final (exported) materials will be placed in the Curriculum Delivery Section of the ESW (Instructor Led Course) or on the live website (Independent Study Course).
Training
Course development workflow includes both required and suggested training. Developers must register, and complete the required training below before access is granted. Reviewers may read through job aid listed below.
Both registration requests for developers, and for limited reviewer access, must be sent to FEMA-EMI-LCMS@fema.dhs.gov. Developers must indicate who would like to begin training (individuals or groups are acceptable), and the planned dates to work on the course. Course Managers must submit a request for limited reviewer access and include the names, email addresses, course/project, and review dates necessary for access.
User Agreement forms must be completed by all users (developers and reviewers) prior to gaining access to the system. Please have the individual(s) who needs access fill out the appropriate form and include the completed form in your registration request.
User Agreement Forms
- DHS users must complete and submit the DHS User Agreement
- All other users must complete and submit the Standard User Agreement
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LCMS Developer Training Course
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Reviewer Job Aid
LCMS Requirements
The development workflow must meet all of the LCMS Requirements listed below, before approval will be given
Follow the LCMS Requirements listed in each section below. Alternatively, you may use this ready reference guide of the LCSM requirements
1.1 - Use a Module for Units and Lessons
General Information: The LCMS breaks projects down by:
- Course
- Module
- Learning Object
- Pages
- Test Questions (section)
- Learning Object
- Module
One or more of each may fall directly under the parent object as identified in the list above.
Requirement: Use a single "Module" for each Unit and/or Lesson in your course.
1.2 - Use a Separate Learning Object for Content Related to Single Course Objective
Requirement: Each module (Unit/Lesson) may have multiple Learning Objects under it. Place all content related to a single Enabling Objective within a single Learning Object. You may use separate Learning Objects for content that is not related to a specific course objective. For example, you will have a separate if your lesson has 3 enabling objectives, you will have 5 learning objects:
- Lesson Intro Content
- Enabling Objective 1 Content
- Enabling Objective 2 Content
- Enabling Objective 3 Content
- Lesson Summary Content
Reasoning:
Learning Objects may be shared with other courses. By separating content as mentioned in the requirement, it will make it easy to find and reuse all content related to a single objective.
2.1 - Required Screens
Requirement: The following screens are required in all courses:
- Course Introduction
- Lesson Introductions (for each lesson)
- Lesson Summaries (for each lesson)
- Course Summary
2.2 - Required Content
Requirement: The following content must be included within your course content:
- Course Objectives – Included at the beginning and end of the course.
- Lesson Objectives – Included at the beginning and end of each lesson.
- Course and Lesson Expected Completion Time – Included at beginning of course and lessons.
2.3 - Course Must Use One of Specific Themes
Requirement: Courses must use of the Themes included below. Each theme may be better for one thing or another as mentioned below:
- FEMA – ILT Theme: Best for student/instructor manual style training.
- FEMA Web Theme: Best for asynchronous delivery
2.4 - Hero Image Should Not Be Used in Instructor Led Courses
Requirement: Since the hero image replaces the blue background on the first page, it must NOT be used.
2.5 - Course Verified Working in Full Preview
Requirement: Student must be able to access all required content. If a theme is being used that doesn't include navigation, you must add all required navigation to the course pages.
2.6 - Notes in Instructor Led Courses Must Use Appropriate Icons
Requirement: All notes (Instructor & Student), Activities, etc. Should use the Callout Box element.
| Type of Note | Icon Name | Icon |
|---|---|---|
| Instructor Note | User | |
| Student Note | Book | |
| Discussion Question | Question | |
| Activity | Users | |
| Handout | File Outiled | |
| Train the Trainer | Graduation Cap | |
| Video | Video Camera |
3.1 - Videos in MP4 Format
Requirement: All videos must be in .mp4 format.
3.2 - Videos include captions as VTT
Requirement: Videos must all include caption as separate .vtt file. Caption must be added to the media object.
3.3 - Audio in MP3 Format
Requirement: All audio must be in MP3 Format
4.1 - All Course Specific Content Must Be Added to LCMS
Requirement:Any document or content created for the specific course must be loaded into the LCMS as an asset and referenced within the course. Example: If a PDF is created outside of the LCMS specifically for use within the course being developed, it should be loaded and added as a course resource.
Reasoning: The LCMS is intended to function as a central repository for all course content/developmental materials. This ensures easy maintenance during revisions and allows course developers to access content from a single shared (LCMS) repository.
4.2 - All Applicable Terms Have Glossary Links
Requirement: Glossary links have been created for each applicable term. These are terms that are related to course objectives and/or integral to the course.
4.3 - Description Metadata
Requirement: Description Metadata must be filled out.
4.4 - Collection Selected
Requirement: Collection must be set. Normally this will be "Instructor Led" or "Web" depending on the type of course.
4.5 - Branch Selected
Requirement: Course branch must be selected.
4.6 - Mission Area Selected
Requirement: Mission Area (Primary) must be selected.
5.1 - Pass Mark Set to 75%
Requirement: The course pass mark must be set to 75%.
5.2 - Objectives Selected for Each Learning Object
Requirement: Each learning object (part of the hierarchy) that addresses an objective must have the enabling objective selected. Prior to this being possible, an admin will need to enter the objectives into the system. If they are unavailable, contact an admin.
5.3 - Knowledge Checks (Ungraded) added as Practice Questions
Requirement: When questions are added to a course, ensure that they are added as "a practice question".
6.1 - All Reviewer Notes Have Been Addressed
Requirement: All reviewer notes have been reviewed. Status should be changed to something other than Open or In-Progress.
6.2 - Course has been reviewed (by you and your team) for 508 and meets 508 requirements.
Requirement: Course materials must meet 508 requirements. Your team should ensure that the materials meet requirements prior to submitting to EMI.
Individual high level 508 items to review can be found under the Accessibility checklist. The course must meet standards posted on DevRes.
7.1 - Course Developed in LCMS
Requirement: The course must be developed in the LCMS. Other software may be used to create videos or images, but generally all individual interactions should be developed in the LCMS.
7.2 - All Pages Committed
Requirement: Each page must be committed once it is complete. Use the "Commit" button at the bottom right of each page. Committing is used to create a version of a page. Pages may be committed at various stages, but must be all committed prior to submitting the draft course for review. Commit comments may be left blank508 Technical Standards
During course development in the LCMS, 508 compliance must always be kept in mind. All courses created in the LCMS (including Instructor Led) will be exported out as HTML materials. Developers must therefore ensure all content created in the LCMS meets Web standards.
Any documents (PDF, Word, etc.) added to a course must meet guidelines and standards for that specific document type. Refer to the guidance below
All deliverables submitted to EMI must be accompanied by a section 508 compliance letter.
Web
MS Word
- Training Videos
- AEDCOP MS Word 2013 Baseline Test Process
- AEDCOP MS Word 2016 Basic Authoring and Testing Guide
- AEDCOP MS Word 2016 Printable Accessibility Checklist
Adobe Acrobat DC Pro PDF
- Training Videos
- PDF Authoring Document
- AEDCOP PDF Baseline Test Process
- AEDCOP PDF Testing and Remediation Guide-Adobe Acrobat DC Pro
- AEDCOP PDF-Printable-Accessibility-Checklist March 2019
MS PowerPoint
- Training Videos
- AEDCOP MS PowerPoint 2016 Basic Authoring and Testing Guide
- AEDCOP MS PowerPoint 2016 Printable Accessibility Checklist
MS Excel
- Training Videos
- AEDCOP MS Excel 2016 Basic Authoring and Testing Guide
- AEDCOP MS Excel 2016 Printable Accessibility Checklist
MS Outlook
Becoming a DHS Trusted Tester is not a requirement to develop courses in the EMI Learning Content Management System (LCMS).
If you would like to become a 508 trusted tester, create an account and begin training on the DHS OAST Training Resource Portal.
Completing FEMA Section 508 Documents Training is beneficial in meeting the requirements for document Section 508 compliance. If you cannot access the FEMA intranet, download and complete the enrollment form, and email the completed form to the FEMA SECTION 508 Helpdesk
If you have access to the FEMA Intranet, go to Accessibility > Section 508 Training Calendar.
FEMA offers the following Section 508 Documents Training:
| Webinars | Training Length | Webinar Descriptions |
|---|---|---|
| Creating Accessible Microsoft and PowerPoint Presentations
Note: The PPT and Word webinars are combined into One Session |
2.0 Hours | This webinar provides information on how to author and how to check a PowerPoint Presentation and an MS Word document for acceptance as well as how to utilize the PPT and MS Word Accessibility Tools to address Common Accessibility Issues requires for compliance. |
For the following series, participants must have the full version of Adobe Acrobat DC Pro. The Adobe reader will not suffice. If you are a FEMA employee or Contractor, contact the IT Service Helpdesk for assistance (888-457-3362).
| Webinars | Training Length | Webinar Descriptions |
|---|---|---|
| Series #1: Introduction to PDF Accessibility | 2.0 Hours | This webinar provides an overview of the Accessibility Tools available within Adobe Acrobat DC Pro to review and remediate a PDF document for accessibility. |
| Series #2: The Tags and Content Panels | 2.0 Hours | This webinar provides information on how to utilize the Tags and Content Panels with Adobe Acrobat DC Pro that allows users to view and edit tags in the logical structure tree, or Tags tree, and provides a hierarchical view of objects that make up a PDF document. |
| Series #3: Headings, Links, and Section Language | 2.0 Hours | This webinar focuses specifically on the remediation of headings, links, and section language in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. |
| Series #4: Images/Objects | 2.0 Hours | This webinar focuses specifically on the remediation of images/objects in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. |
| Series #5: Lists | 2.0 Hours | This webinar focuses specifically on the remediation of lists in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. |
| Series #6: Data Tables | 2.0 Hours | This webinar focuses specifically on the remediation of data tables in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat DC Pro. |
| Series #7: Fillable Forms | 2.0 Hours | This webinar focuses specifically on the remediation of fillable forms in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. |
| Series #8: Scanned Pages | 2.0 Hours | This webinar focuses specifically on the remediation of scanned pages in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. |
| Series #9: Colors, Sensory Characteristics, and Accessible Media | 2.0 Hours | This webinar focuses specifically on the remediation of colors, sensory characteristics, and accessible media in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. |
| What is Descriptive Text? |
Descriptive text is a textual substitute for non-text content in web pages and documents. Assistive Technology uses descriptive text to describe the image to the user. Types of descriptive text include:
NOTE: For images in the LCMS with alt text greater than 150 characters, a link will be created to another element containing the alternate text. |
|---|---|
| Why is Providing Descriptive Text Necessary? |
Images and graphics make content more pleasant and easier to understand for many people, and in particular for those with cognitive and learning disabilities. They serve as cues that are used by people with visual impairments, including people with low vision, to orient themselves in the content.
|
| How to Decide Whether an Image is "Decorative" |
Images that don't add anything to the document are considered "decorative". A "decorative" image is one that:
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| How to Decide Whether an Image is "Purposeful" |
Figures that are important will enhance the content and are considered "purposeful". Give the purpose and/or function of the image within the context of the surrounding information. Avoid putting redundant and/or irrelevant information into the alternate text. A "purposeful" image is one that is directly related to the content and is important to understand the content on the page. DO NOT: Use "image of" or "picture of" when creating descriptive text. The purpose of descriptive text is to alert the user of assistive technology, that an image exists and the meaning of an image. NOTE: Many applications now offer the option to auto generate alternate text. However, the alternate text isn't always accurate. If this option is selected, creators of documents are required to verify their accuracy. |
| Examples of Purposeful Images |
NOTE: Use the built-in feature of the application mark decorative images as "decorative.” |
Object, (Image, Graphs, Maps, Images of Text)
Related to content?
Yes, is purposeful:
- Add alt text: Tell the story of the image!
- Alt-texts should be:
- Logical: Accurately represent the image
- Concise: Short and succinct
- Descriptive: Tell the story of the image
- Pertinent to the purpose: Represent purpose and function
No, is decorative:
- Mark as decorative
Use of Copyrighted Materials in EMI Courses
Copyright rewards creativity by providing content creators with the exclusive rights, among others, to reproduce, distribute, and perform the content they create. FEMA respects the rights of the authors/owners of copyrighted materials.
Any use of third-party content in instructional materials must be accompanied by express written permission or license from the copyright-holder or approval for use from FEMA Office of Chief Counsel (OCC). Third-party content includes works created by someone other than yourself; written, visual, and audio media; and copyrighted or trademarked formats, for example, well-known gameshows.
We strongly encourage the use of FEMA's multi-media library where possible to avoid copyright issues
When uploading content to the LCMS with a “Limited Use” license, record the limitation with the asset in the copyright metadata field of the system.
Please read the following copyright requirements.
Necessary permissions/licenses from the authors/owners or approvals from FEMA OCC must be obtained during the development of a project and prior to its completion.
For each project, EMI copyright records shall include a signed EMI Copyright Compliance Letter providing:
Examination Standards
The following standards apply to all test banks created for EMI including Instructor Led Training and Independent Study courses.
The developer shall develop pre- and post-course assessments for all courses consisting of 12 or more contact hours (which equates to roughly two-full days of classroom instruction). Online courses do not require pre-course assessments. The pre- and post-course assessments shall follow the requirements outlined below in either Knowledge Examination and/or Skills Assessment.
The contractor/developer shall develop a test bank of questions for the course that support assessment of mastery of course objectives. Minimum passing grade for a knowledge examination is 75%
EMI uses a proprietary system for administering the final exam. As such, there are specific requirements that must be followed before a final exam will be accepted. All final exam submissions will be posted on two independent systems; the capability of these systems in terms of administering the final exam are described below
Additional Resources
Additional resources for required documents, FEMA media materials, and core requirements can be found below:
NDEMU Course Introduction Slides
Media Resources
FEMA provides a searchable Media Library including materials available for use, unless otherwise indicated.
Use of the FEMA Media Library is strongly encouraged. Attribution should be made to FEMA, or as FEMA News Photo.
Capability Maps
Other Resources
Contact Information
For further information, or questions regarding LCMS development, please contact the LCMS team.
