How To Create Engaging And Enlightening eLearning Courses: 6 Instructional Design Tips
Successful Instructional Designers know that it takes a combination of skill, effort, and passion to craft a winning eLearning course. It can be difficult to hit the mark, unless you take all aspects of the eLearning course into account. Remember, you aren’t presenting the information just to put it out there, you want it to resonate with online learners. Creating eLearning courses that are worthwhile will ensure you keep getting a steady project load and have happy clients and online learners. Here are 6 simple tips to develop engaging and enlightening eLearning courses for your online learners.
1. Take eLearning Courses
One of the best ways to create an enlightening eLearning course is by knowing what a good eLearning course looks like. Take a few eLearning courses in any field that interests you. Throughout the eLearning course, take notes based on your personal observations. Technically, you will be learning two things during these test courses: the actual eLearning content, and how to build a good eLearning course. Note what you thought was really helpful, impactful, or stood out as positive about the eLearning course. Similarly, take note of what could have been better. It can be tough to put yourself in the role of an online learner when designing your eLearning course. That is why taking a few classes can help give you valuable perspective.
2. Know Your Field
Creating an enlightening eLearning course requires that you know the field inside and out. If you feel that you could use a refresher, then start studying. Good teachers are constantly students themselves, learning and keeping up to date on the latest developments in their area of expertise. Become an expert in your content area and you will be able to pack your eLearning course with relevant and helpful material.
3. Talk To Your Potential Online Learners
If you can, reach out to potential online learners who can offer insight about what they want to know and their personal preferences. You will likely be shocked at the responses. A lot of Instructional Designers assume they know exactly what their online learners want to learn. However, this information is based on assumption instead of research, and that can cause issues. Ask online learners what gaps they feel they have in their knowledge. What concepts they would like to explore in more depth, and what components of the field they find boring or dull. Find interesting and engaging ways to present this eLearning content to them, and they’ll get something of real value out of your eLearning course design.
4. Find Unique Methods Of Presenting eLearning Content
Virtually anyone can create slides filled with text and call it an eLearning course. Instructional Design is about so much more than that. You need to find interesting and unique ways to give online learners the information. Remember, you have an entire digital environment at your disposal. This means you can inject new life into subjects that once seemed dull. If you have already polled potential online learners, then you should have some idea of which eLearning content online learners have trouble with in this particular field. Use your Instructional Design skills inventory to tackle these topics in particular.
5. Conduct A Focus Group
No matter what type of eLearning content you are developing, this is especially important for Instructional Designers who want to hone their craft. While your eLearning course might flow seamlessly and make perfect sense to you, that feeling might not be universal. It is best if your focus group consists of a mix of people who know the field to obtain actionable eLearning feedback.
6. Follow Up
A major component of Instructional Design is what works and what doesn't. As your understanding of the field grows, so will your ability to consistently create enlightening eLearning courses that exceed online learners’ expectations. No matter what type of eLearning content you are developing, this is especially important for Instructional Designers who want to hone their craft. One of the simplest ways to improve your ID skills is to follow up with online instructors and get feedback on the eLearning courses you have designed. Were there any topics that could have been explained better? Did online learners seem disinterested at any point?
If the eLearning course you are creating is self-paced, include an optional survey at the end where online learners can give eLearning feedback. Online learners are often honest if the survey is anonymous and they feel free to share their true thoughts. Since they are enrolled in the eLearning course and are motivated to learn, they want to get the most from the eLearning experience. Their eLearning feedback can enhance the benefits for all parties involved. These comments will help you drive your future eLearning projects and allow you to refine your ID skills.
You want to develop enlightening eLearning course that online learners walk away from feeling educated, not drained or confused. Use every eLearning course you create as an opportunity to hone your skills as Instructional Designer. The more experience you get and the more real-world feedback you gather and apply, the better your eLearning courses will be in the future. Give clients the absolute best product to present to online learners by utilizing these 6 tips the next time you design an eLearning course.
Getting started in an Instructional Design career will open you up to the exciting world of eLearning. Download our free eBook How To Kick Start And Boost An Amazing Instructional Design Career to discover all tips for identifying and securing your Instructional Design dream job.
