Dynamic vs. Evergreen Content
Introduction
Ever wonder how to decide what should be recorded in a lecture video and what content should be presented in a different way? This is where we discuss the idea of Dynamic vs. Evergreen Content.
Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines our two terms as follows:
- Dynamic (adj.) - marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change.
- Evergreen (adj.) - universally and continually relevant: not limited in applicability to a particular event or date.
Continuous change or continually relevant concepts can have a huge impact in how you organize and present your content.
Considerations
Here are some questions to ask yourself when determining if a concept is dynamic or evergreen:
- Will the content need to be updated drastically the next time the course is offered? Dynamic = Yes; Evergreen = No
- Will the content stay relevant for at least 2-3 years? Dynamic = No; Evergreen = Yes (If the subject matter is referring to Tech/Data/AI - consider 1-2 years)
- Am I able to make the content relevant with additional support that I can change quickly from offering-to-offering? Dynamic = No; Evergreen = Yes
- Would the content be best served given either live or requires me to research constantly to keep it updated? Dynamic = Yes; Evergreen = No - If the answer is yes, we advise alternative methods to present the content here.
Hopefully, this helps you to decide what is best to put into a lecture video and what should be considered for alternative methods like a live sync session, made into a discussion prompt, or as an assignment for the student. Your ID can help you figure out the best method for presenting your content to ensure your course stays up-to-date and relevant from offering-to-offering.