“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough" - Albert Einstein
1. Be The Learner
As content developers, our critical advantage often lies in the fact that we are not Subject Matter Experts.
Receiving source material from clients and converting it to eLearning is not enough. More often than not, source material assumes knowledge and understanding when, in reality, prior knowledge may not exist at all.
Successful custom eLearning content development requires that the developer fully comprehends the subject matter and that this learning journey is shared via the eLearning course. This requires the content developer to:
- Pose questions such as what, where, why, when, where and how to Subject Matter Experts
- Conduct Internet research
A useful measure to determine whether you understand the subject is to ask yourself whether you are able to run a classroom-facilitated event with your knowledge of the subject.
2. Create A Logical Flow
eLearning content must have a logical flow. Think of it as building blocks. You cannot build a wall before the foundation exists.
Group content that logically fits together into chapters or topics and ensure a coherent flow from one chapter to the next. An easy way to achieve this is to end a chapter off with a closing statement that leads onto the next chapter. This ensures that learners understand the relationship between chapters, or topics.
Nothing is more demoralising than opening a course with 20 odd topics and realising that it will take you a lifetime to complete. If your course becomes too long, split it into manageable modules. When learners can complete shorter modular courses relatively quickly, learner uptake and satisfaction is much higher.
3. Creativity Is Everything
Coming up with creative and innovative ways to present content is so much easier when we fully understand the subject.
As individuals, we automatically reference what we already know and then, attempt to connect this to course material to learn something new.
As individuals, we automatically reference what we already know and then, attempt to connect this knowledge with new concepts to learn something new. ‘Transpose’ your own learning process into the eLearning course to create connections to new concepts.
Use graphics, photos, images, text and/or video to ensure that your audience follows a learning journey similar to your own.
4. Provoke Thought Through Interactivity
Allowing learners to interact with the content increases attention span whilst facilitating knowledge retention.
Include elements such as sliders, scenarios, click-and-reveal interactions, interesting facts, educational games and learning via questions to stretch attention span.
Practical examples of thought provoking interactions created by Yokufunda Consulting include:
- Use graphics to depict bullet points. We recently had to convey the names of the 12 SADC member states to learners. Instead of just listing the 12 names, we had buttons, numbered from 1 to 12. Next to the numbered buttons, we provided a 3D map of the African continent that excluded the member states. To reveal the country name and its location on the map, learners were required to click on each numbered button.
- Use interactive features that represent the industry. When depicting a process flow for the Oil & Gas industry, make use of a pipeline flow. Learners are then required to click on each of the valves, depicting a step in the process flow, to fill the pipeline.
- Teach terms and associated definitions by means of questions. Depict a definition by means of imagery or a short scenario sketch. Ask the learner to indicate which of the listed terms best represents the image or scenario. Provide feedback accordingly.
"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge" - Albert Einstein