Holiday-Themed eLearning Content Ideas To Boost Learner Engagement
December is often a hectic month for most organizations, with employees rushing to meet performance goals, close sales cycles, finalize budgets, and complete year-end reviews. However, as the holidays approach, there are ways to offer a welcome break from the year-end whirlwind. An effective approach is to explore festive eLearning content ideas that can keep learners engaged while fostering a sense of community and keeping spirits up. In this article, we propose ideas to "spruce up" your eLearning content in a way that is purposeful and relevant, without causing distractions.
8 eLearning Content Ideas To Cheer Up Your L&D Team
1. Create A Seasonal Scenario-Based Learning Journey
A festive eLearning content idea is to incorporate a holiday theme into the scenario-based learning resources you already have. Some examples of scenarios you can create may include resolving customer service dilemmas during peak retail season, managing tight deadlines before the holidays, or coaching a team to cope with year-end stress. Using the holiday theme can help employees hone important skills, but in a different setting, thus maintaining high levels of engagement and participation. An important point to remember is to keep learning objectives front-and-center and not allow the holiday theme to overshadow them.
2. Launch A "12 Days Of Learning" Microlearning Series
Another idea is to leverage a countdown format, as it creates a sense of anticipation. Learners will look forward to something short, structured, and daily, and will certainly make time for it, despite their busy schedules. A "12 Days of Learning" microlearning series can include:
- Skill refreshers to prepare for the new year
- Bite-sized leadership lessons
- Compliance reminders
- Productivity boosts to finish the year strong
If you do opt for this eLearning content idea, it is important to be consistent. Create daily activities that last a few minutes, but which deliver meaningful knowledge when completed in their entirety.
3. Offer A Year-End Learning Reflection Activity
Reflection is a powerful learning tool and something most people are drawn to do towards the end of the year. During this time, people naturally look back at what they've accomplished and what they want to improve in the upcoming year. You can encourage your L&D teams to engage in reflection by giving them targeted questions to answer. These may include:
- What new skills did you acquire this year?
- Which learning moments had the biggest impact on your work?
- What challenges would you like to address with additional training?
- Which goals would you like to pursue heading into the new year?
Reflecting on these questions not only builds self-awareness but also gives L&D teams valuable data for next year's training programs.
4. Design A Holiday-Inspired Team Activity
Gamification leads to higher engagement during festive seasons because learners are already in a more playful mood. You can leverage this cheerful state of mind with a team-based holiday challenge that can boost participation and enhance the sense of community. For example, you can set up a virtual scavenger hunt with festive clues, a themed quiz with product or compliance-related questions, or a digital escape room that requires employees to know specific company processes and policies. This way, employees can tap into and refresh their knowledge while having fun and bonding with each other.
5. Holiday Well-Being Learning Resources
Another thoughtful and useful addition to your festive eLearning content could be resources designed to help employees get through the pre-holiday rush unscathed. With increasing workloads, familial obligations, and last-minute Christmas shopping, your employees will certainly appreciate the support. This wellness-focused learning hub can include microlearning courses on time management, mindfulness exercises, or practical tips for staying connected while working remotely. Keeping everything in one place will also make it easier for employees to access useful insights that can provide a much-needed break during such a busy time.
6. Cross-Cultural Learning Experience
Christmas is often the catch-all term used in December, but it's essential to remember that employees may be celebrating a variety of holidays. Whether it is Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali, or something else, these employees need to be acknowledged and given space to honor their own culture. Therefore, as you update your eLearning content to give it some holiday flair, you can take the opportunity to add resources that promote inclusivity and cultural awareness. This can be done through interactive videos and stories that may even be submitted by employees themselves. It can be something as simple as them sharing traditions from their childhood or current celebrations, offering their colleagues a glimpse into diverse cultural practices in the workplace.
7. Offer A Curated Holiday "Learning Playlist"
Just like people enjoy curated holiday movie or music playlists, they also appreciate curated learning collections they can browse at their own pace. Therefore, another idea for your festive eLearning content could be a seasonal learning playlist that includes TED-style talks on leadership, bite-sized eLearning modules, articles on communication and teamwork, internal success stories, or podcasts from industry experts. You can present these materials in a cozy, holiday-themed format, such as a digital bookshelf by the fireplace. This will create an atmosphere that encourages voluntary learning, as opposed to formal training that may feel overwhelming.
8. Celebrate Learner Achievements
At any time throughout the year, but especially towards the end, employees need to be recognized for what they do. A "Year in Review" celebration can highlight learning milestones and foster greater engagement for the upcoming year. For example, you can celebrate the learners who completed the most modules, the teams with the highest participation, or those who made standout contributions to peer learning communities. There are many ways to carry out this celebration, as well. You can create celebratory videos or a series of emails announcing the winners. Alternatively, you can create a separate mini-site with a countdown to each award. This way, you can boost morale and increase participation in next year's learning initiatives.
Bringing It All Together
Festive eLearning can breathe new air into your training initiatives, re-engaging employees and boosting their morale. During such a busy time as December, it is essential for employees to have tools that help them decompress and navigate their workload as smoothly as possible. In this article, we shared a variety of festive eLearning content ideas designed to help employees refresh their knowledge and skills, as well as rekindle their interest in eLearning for the upcoming year. Follow our suggestions, and you will achieve all this while employees enjoy the cozy holiday vibes and gear up for the break.
