How To Create Effective Online Training Tutorials: 8 Best Practices
Online training tutorials give employees a visual guide to follow. Instead of simply reading about a work-related process, they are able to observe, reflect, and then replicate the steps. This helps to improve knowledge retention and recall, which enhances employee productivity and proficiency. Here are 8 tips to create interactive and engaging online training tutorials in-house.
1. Conduct A Thorough Task Analysis Beforehand
You must have a clear understanding of what the task entails in order to convey that information to your employees. This usually involves a detailed task analysis to dissect the process and identify each step. You also have the ability to determine which skills and information are involved. The secret to a successful online training tutorial is simplifying the subject matter and making it easier to digest. Managers are also a valuable source of information, as they can perform workplace observations and identify performance gaps.
2. Develop A Detailed eLearning Storyboard And Script
There are two primary purposes for creating an eLearning storyboard and script. The first is that they streamline the work process and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Each member of your eLearning team knows what's involved so that they can tackle their respective tasks. The second is that they improve the navigability of your online training tutorial. The eLearning storyboard makes it easy to create a clickable outline or map. As a result, corporate learners can quickly navigate through the online training tutorial, or skip to the steps they struggle with.
3. Highlight The Benefits Up Front
Give employees a general overview of the key takeaways, benefits, and real-world applications of the online training tutorial right from the start. In fact, you may want to reiterate these key points throughout the online training tutorial. Include a timeline that shows their progress, and explain the "why" behind each step. For example, the second step in the compliance online training tutorial contains the hazardous spill. This helps to ensure the well-being of others while the individual cleans up the contaminant. Reiterating the benefits also improves employee motivation and engagement. This is due to the fact that they know the online training tutorial ties into their workplace performance. It offers them useful knowledge and skills they can use to achieve their professional goals.
4. Combine Audio With Visuals To Improve Knowledge Retention
Different employees have different learning preferences. As such, you need to produce a multimedia online training tutorial that pairs audio with visuals to improve comprehension, and knowledge retention. This may include background music, sound effects, audio narrations, images, and graphics. In some cases, you can even incorporate eLearning animations or character interactions to boost interactivity.
5. Incorporate Supplemental Links And Online Resources
One of the drawbacks of online training tutorials is that they tend to be passive online training activities. Meaning that employees simply watch as the eLearning character carries out the process or explores the topic. They aren't able to form a connection with the subject matter or immerse themselves into the situation. However, you have the power to change that by incorporating supplemental links and helpful online resources. This is also a golden opportunity to point them in the direction of interactive online training materials, such as branching scenarios and online training simulations that cover related skills or sub-topics. For instance, a customer service online training tutorial may feature links to scenarios that build communication skills.
6. Invest In A Rapid eLearning Authoring Tool
Rapid eLearning authoring tools are typically equipped with eLearning templates, media, and other online resources to help you create high quality online training tutorials. One of the most important features to look for is a top-notch screen recording, capturing, and editing tool. This is particularly true for software-based online training tutorials. Get feedback and recommendations from your eLearning team before making your final decision, and try out different platforms through free trials and demos. Rapid eLearning authoring tools may be an investment, but you can use them time after time to develop online training tutorials for your corporate eLearning program. If you find the one with the right features, it will be well worth the cost.
7. Don't Try To Cover Too Much Ground
Keep in mind that online training tutorials usually fall into the category of microlearning, and/or "moment of need" support. Thus, you should try to focus on a specific task or topic instead of offering a comprehensive education. In fact, the more narrow the scope the better. Employees must be able to get the information they need, and then put it into practice right away. This is yet another reason why eLearning storyboards and scripts are essential. They allow you to focus your efforts and address your employees' needs as quickly as possible.
8. Get eLearning Feedback At Every Stage
Collect eLearning feedback from employees before and during the development process to pinpoint their goals and expectations. Then afterward, to continually improve your online tutorial design. There are a variety of feedback tools at your disposal. From surveys and social media polls to focus groups and pre-assessments. The key is to concentrate on training pain points and performance gaps so that you can address them in your online training tutorial. Once you collect the data, evaluate your findings to look for patterns and trends. For instance, a majority of your employees have difficulty with your POS software. As such, you might consider a software online training tutorial that features screen shots and detailed walkthroughs.
Online training tutorials can improve the effectiveness of your corporate eLearning strategy and employee retention rates. After all, well-informed employees who have all the online resources they require are happy employees. As a result, you're able to reduce corporate training costs and enhance the benefits it provides.
Your employees should be able to access online training tutorials during their "moment of need". Read the article 9 Must-Haves For Multiplatform-Friendly Online Training Courses to create multiplatform-friendly online training for your corporate learners.