How to improve learner engagement with eLearning
Trying to get your employees to learn something new can be a difficult task at times. It is common to get the “are we back in school?” vibe from them. That is because we just concentrate on “communicating” the new information to them. How do you change these things for the better? Through this post, we will tell you just that!
“Tell me and I forget; teach me and I remember; involve me and I learn”, said Benjamin Franklin.
Therein lays the answer! We need to focus on not only what we want to train our employees in, but also HOW we do it.
eLearning holds the key
eLearning is one of the most effective methods to provide your learners an engaging and immersive learning experience. Here is how to create eLearning courses that can engage and at the same time motivate the learners to complete the training; one that they can retain well. This is just one of the many advantages that eLearning has to offer
1. Gamify
Who doesn’t love a reward at the end of an effort? Catch up with the latest trend in eLearning and try gamifying your courses. It works on the same principles as that of a video game. The courses are divided into different levels as in games. To go on to the next level, you have to navigate, solve problems, earn points and take critical decisions by answering correctly. You win and learn at the same time! It is an ingenious way to keep your learner engaged and motivated till the end.
2. Scenario-based Learning
Stories always fascinate a human mind and scenario-based eLearning does just that… it tells a story! Presenting a scenario to the learner is a great way to put them in the problem solver’s shoes. Applying a scenario allows you a dry run; to be in situations that usually arise at workplaces and letting you experience the consequences of your actions. That is called a branched scenario. It is a good way to test a situation that is too risky to handle in the live environment. It also gives a good indication of how well one has understood a subject.
3. Videos
Videos tell us the best story in the least amount of time. Any tricky or complex concept can be explained more effectively with the help of a video. Videos engage more than one sensory organ at a time. They have the power to transport you to the actual action-scene. It enables greater grasping and understanding of the idea by stimulating your imagination in a better way.
4. Animations
Who said animation is only for kids? When it comes to animations, the sky is the limit for your creativity. Cartoons and animations can add fun and flair to an otherwise monotonous subject. In addition, animation is a good option to explain complex ideas, which are difficult to explain in theory or in practical where you cannot show the actual action unfolding. For example, the ABS braking system in cars can be explained very well using animation. Make sure to pair your animations with apt audio to pack in that punch!
5. Interactive elements
While creating an eLearning course, the right mix of interactive elements is necessary to make a course engaging. You can use elements like drag and drop, multiple select, single select options etc. to assess while elements like click and reveal, roll-over to teach. It will ensure that a learner thinks and remains engaged in the process
6. Micro-learning
In today’s world, people prefer T20 cricket matches to one day matches and web-series to a three hour long movie. Likewise, when it comes to eLearning, micro-learning is the hero who fights the problem of low attention spans. It packs a big punch in its small size. Micro-learning breaks down your course into small nuggets of information which can be easily accessed by learners even through their mobile phones! It is faster to create, pocket-friendly and engaging. The learners do not feel intimidated by its size. Do check if its goes with your requirement, as it is not suitable for subjects with complex and in-depth study
7.Localisation
Sometimes, adding that dash of local culture to your course provides that much needed zing to make it interesting and engaging. Localisation is different from language translation. It means customizing your content to include cultural references that are suitable for the target audience. Including phrases and examples they are familiar with will surely improve their comprehension.
8. AR/VR in eLearning
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) give us that sci-fi movie-like feel. In VR, one has to wear the special headgear, completely transporting us into the virtual world. All your senses are totally engaged and you are unaware of your surroundings. The automobile industry has explored this option while helping their customers get a tangible feel of different variants of their vehicle. While in AR, digital elements are added to your very own surrounding. The Snapchat app or the Pokémon GO game are very good examples of AR. In eLearning, AR and VR take that leap by allowing the learner to physically interact with the elements in the course which makes it a completely immersive experience in the truest sense! It is yet to catch on the popularity wave here due to various reasons, cost being the major factor
Conclusion:
So when you choose your eLearning course, make sure to have the one with the right interactive elements, the one that will bring out the best of your content. It should not only engage the learner but also incite them to think and help them retain the information. Last but not the least; it will help you assess your learner well.
Want to know how? Get in touch with us!