Here are some additional basic things you’ll need to know as an e-learning professional.
[Part 1 of this article appeared in yesterday’s newsletter.]
Why E-Learning Works
Before jumping on the bandwagon and implementing e-learning simply because it’s popular and what everyone else is doing, you should consider why you should be implementing it in the first place.
- It’s easy to use and is convenient. Employees can access e-learning content from anywhere at any time.
- It’s cost-effective. Organizations save money when they don’t have to host in-classroom training sessions for every module or course they need to cover.
- It offers analytics and data. Trainers can consult data about who is engaging with certain e-learning content and can pinpoint which courses are effective and popular based on such analytics and data.
- It permits learners to really learn. Research shows that learners retain more material via e-learning than they do from in-person learning and that they are more engaged with what they are learning.
Types of E-Learning Activities and Content
Here are some of the more popular and effective types of e-learning activities and content.
- Documents and slide decks
- Infographics and high-definition images
- Live webcasts with training sessions and live brainstorming sessions
- Recorded videos with voice-overs and captions
- Modules with learning scenarios, simulations, and real-time assessments
- Mobile-friendly courses that are launched in an app, with sessions and tasks that only last around 5 minutes or less
- Group collaborative learning projects that implement a virtual comment board
- Games with a storyline and tasks to complete
- Personalized learning paths
How to Administer Great E-Learning Content
Merely posting a bunch of documents and videos in the cloud every few months isn’t enough if you want to administer great e-learning content. To administer great e-learning content, you need reliable technology that suits your organization’s needs and works to keep your learning content up to date and relevant for your learners. Here’s what you’ll need to do.
Have the Ideal Learning Management System (LMS) for Your Organization
When selecting an LMS, make sure it has all the integrations you need, that it supports the type of learning content you want to create and manage, etc. Keep in mind that the least expensive options could still cost you more money if you need additional technology to supplement for what it lacks. And keep in mind that your organization may not need all the “bells and whistles,” either.
Consult Data and Metrics
Constantly look at how your e-learning courses are performing and who is accessing them. And constantly look at data about your learners, too, and what works for them and what doesn’t. This information will allow you to consistently improve your e-learning content and programs.
Have a Lot of Different Types of Learning Content
There are different types of learners (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.) Be sure to have learning content for each type of learner. You’ll want a healthy mix of documents, videos, games, interactive modules, etc. If you can’t create it all on your own, curate content from outside sources. And be sure to build a content library your e-learners can access when they need to consult resources or when they have questions.
As you build or revamp your e-learning strategy, remember the basics mentioned above and in yesterday’s post if you want it to be effective.