How To Create Online Training Courses For Stressed Employees
Stress can wreak havoc on the human mind. Especially in large doses. It decreases knowledge retention and distracts us from the task at-hand. Thus, it's the nemesis of online training. The good news is that you can create online training courses that take some weight off your employees' shoulders and ease their worried minds. Here are 8 top tips to develop online training for stressed employees.
1. Give Employees An Online Training Road Map Beforehand
Stressed employees don't like surprises. Especially in regards to online training. They need to know what lies ahead and what's expected of them. You can put their mind at ease by providing an online training road map in advance. This should feature the online training courses, activities, and assessments they must complete, as well as important milestones and delivery dates. In fact, make it even easier for them by integrating an online training checklist. They can keep track of their own progress and see what's up next.
2. Incorporate Online Group Collaboration Activities
There are a number of reasons why online group collaboration activities are essential. First and foremost, it caters to our need for social interaction. It also allows employees to get feedback from their peers and share their personal experiences. They have the opportunity to participate in online discussions, ask questions, and address their concerns. Encourage them to join your corporate eLearning forum or social media group. Or develop online group projects that allow them to collectively problem-solve and build their teamwork skills.
3. Provide Frequent Breaks
Stress prevents employees from absorbing information effectively. As such, you need to provide regular breaks so that they can unwind and assimilate the data. They also have the chance to let off some steam by playing a serious game or joining an online discussion. In fact, you might consider shorter bursts of online training interspersed with breaks. For example, a 5-minute online training simulation followed by an intermission.
4. Offer Self-Paced Online Training Paths
Personal learning paths enhance the benefits of your online training course and make the experience more relevant. This is ideal for employees who are already stressed and overwhelmed. They have the opportunity to pursue goals that will help them in the workplace and bridge personal performance gaps. Every employee participates in online training activities that cater to their needs, without having to keep up with their peers. Conduct pre-assessments and surveys to learn as much as you can about your employees. Then use your data to create customized online training plans. For example, allow them to pick from a list of interactive online training activities and assessments. Encourage them to set their own goals and milestones. Empower your employees to take charge of their online training and go at their own pace.
5. Add Touches Of Humor
Inject a little humor into your online training to lighten the mood. Stressed employees are more likely to engage and active participate if your online training is enjoyable. Include interesting eLearning characters with funny, relatable personalities. Break up dry or dull subject matter with relevant jokes. Take a conversational tone that resonates with employees on a personal level. The secret is forming a meaningful connection so that the key takeaways stick in their long-term memory.
6. Calm Their Minds With Music
Music has the power to evoke emotion and calm the nerves. Especially if you opt for classical or ambient melodies that blend into the background. Just make sure that it doesn't distract your employees from the primary objectives. For example, heavy metal music may not the best option for your compliance online training course. There are a variety of royalty free music sites where you can find free or affordable tracks. Use music sparingly to achieve the desired effect and not overshadow the subject matter. For instance, a classical music piece becomes a subtle backdrop for your emotionally-compelling story.
7. Create A Supportive Learning Culture
Employees need round-the-clock support. Particularly when stress is part of the equation. Online forums, blogs, FAQs, and social media groups provide them with constant access to support resources. They can reach out to peers, interact with instructors, and get answers to pressing questions. The backbone of successful online training programs is a supportive and communicative learning culture. Be completely transparent about expectations and responsibilities. Emphasize the importance of ongoing online training, as well as the benefits it brings. Ultimately, your employees should feel that your organization cares about their personal development.
8. Provide "Just-In-Time" Online Resources
Your employees are racing the clock and don't have time to complete a full-length online training course. The question is: how do you give them the information they require anywhere, anytime? Just-in-time online training resources focus on specific tasks or topics. They are bite-sized activities or modules that provide targeted knowledge and skill development. For example, a 2-minute online tutorial that features every step in the process, or a quick podcast that explores a particular compliance topic. Stressed employees don't have to add a half hour online training course to their already busy schedule. They can simply access your microlearning online repository to get the job done.
Your employees work hard to increase profits and give your customers the service they deserve. Reward their efforts with personalized online training experiences that ease their stress and cater to their needs. One last tip I'd like to leave you with is to keep your employees in the loop. Sometimes they just need to know that their voices are heard and their opinions actually matter. Solicit their feedback and then use it to continually improve your online training course.
Customer personas make online training more relevant and realistic for your employees. Read the article The Benefits Of Using Customer Personas In Online Training to discover the most notable advantages of using customer personas in your online training course.
