Written by Top tips to maximise the value of e-learning
1 Don’t just put your PowerPoints into an e-learning package.
They probably weren’t very interesting before and they won’t be any more interesting on-line
2 Use the full potential that electronic media allow to add variety.
Use video, quizzes, documents, fill in forms, puzzles, games – anything to retain and engage attention. Mix it up. Don’t use the same things all the way through
3 Don’t have too little information or activity on any one screen in the package. Too many pages lead to boredom and frustration.
4 Collect all the links to supporting documents on each page.
Make it easy for learners to explore things outside the learning package and return to it
5 Make it more interactive
This is not about fancy animations – they are distracting and don’t add to the learning experience. It’s not about clicking lots of buttons either. Use interactivity to let the learner think. Ask the learner questions. Have open text input screens where they can write something rather than just tick boxes.
6 Use video to set up challenging scenarios for learners to solve.
Well acted and produced video is a great way to get people thinking. Knowing that they will have to come up with answers will keep them watching. Have break points. Have multiple outcomes if the budget will allow.
7 Remember information gets out of date extremely quickly.
Design your e-learning so that it can be easily updated or you’ll be spending a lot of money all the time. Policies and procedures can change regularly. Keep links simple.
8 Use emotion.
Emotional experiences can hook people. Find ways to tell powerful stories and if you can, put the learners into them.
9 Off the shelf e-learning packages are cheap for a reason.
They are very generic
Unless learners can engage with something relevant to their own workplace they will quickly turn off
10 Custom e-learning may be more expensive but could be cheaper in the long run.
Always carry out a return on investment calculation to determine the cost vs other training methods.
11 Integrate the package with other systems.
so that learners only have to do the parts that they need.