How To Create Online Training Courses For Employees With Learning Limitations
Every corporate learner should have the opportunity to go at their own pace and set their own goals. However, employees with learning limitations may require a higher level of personalization. There are numerous learning limitations, from dyslexia to processing disorder, which affect how an individual absorbs information. Many employees are simply too embarrassed to come outright and inform you of these disorders. This doesn’t mean that they can’t get the same online training benefits. For this reason, you need to have a built-in training option. However, your organization will have to reevaluate its current online training strategy to make it all-inclusive. Here are 7 top tips to create online training courses for employees with neurological conditions and information processing challenges.
1. Content Should Be More Than Just Text
Most individuals with learning limitations have a problem with the written word. Whether it is reading or just comprehending words properly, your online training courses shouldn’t be focused on text only. You want to promote their thought process with the use of graphics, animation, and color. Of course, you can’t completely get rid of the text, but you should make it as concise as possible. Include plenty of white space and declutter the eLearning course design to avoid confusion. This will make it easier for them to read the text and give them a visual that will allow them to build context and improve knowledge retention. You also want to make sure that you don’t incorporate too many scenarios that require complex interactions. Employees with learning limitations already may have a hard time understanding the online training content. The last thing you want is to ask them to perform numerous “drag and drop” actions to further complicate the process. It’s also best to avoid complex vocabulary or technical jargon.
2. Develop Flexible Online Training Courses
Give employees with learning limitations the ability to customize their own online training plan so that they’re more motivated to learn. You don’t want to be too rigid with the online training material, giving a narrow timeframe for completion or forcing them to sit through a one-hour scheduled online training session. Keep in mind that employees with learning disabilities tend to become mentally fatigued more rapidly. Make the online training course as flexible as possible so that you have their full attention and they’re able to pause periodically to absorb the information. You should also close caption all videos and offer the online training course on different platforms so they can access it when and wherever they’re ready.
3. Streamline eLearning Navigation
Keep the User Interface as simple as possible so that employees don’t have to deal with a big learning curve. They must be able to access online training activities and quizzes in as few clicks as possible. Eliminate Flash-based resources to reduce loading times and make it mobile-friendly. Another effective way to streamline eLearning navigation is to clearly label buttons, icons, and links.
4. Be Open To Feedback
If you truly want to enhance your online training course, it is important you allow employees to provide feedback. You can integrate a feedback form at the end of each online training activity, asking them how effective the online training course was and how you can improve it. This is especially important when dealing with individuals with learning limitations, as their input will help you develop online training that caters to all.
5. Give Employees Free-Roam Of The Online Training Map
Include a broad range of online training activities for different learning preferences. Then let employees select those that cater to their preferences and goals. This also allows them to skip online training activities that may cause unnecessary stress. For example, a text-based case study might not be the ideal choice for a corporate learner with dyslexia. However, they can listen to the podcast to get all the information they need, while those with a language processing disorder have the chance to participate in serious games or analyze infographics instead of listening to an audio presentation.
6. Start Peer-Based Social Media Support Groups
Start a closed Facebook group that gives employees a place to ask questions and express their opinions privately. They don’t have to worry about being judged, as it’s a safe online space that facilitates peer-based knowledge sharing. It’s also a valuable online training support tool since employees with learning limitations can help each other get more from the online training experience and overcome shared challenges. For example, two employees with memory issues exchange ideas on how to retain more information and beat the forgetting curve.
7. Pre-Assess To Personalize Your Online Training Strategy
Online assessments can help you discreetly identify employees with learning limitations and personalize their online training plan. For example, a simulation-based assessment reveals that one of your staff members suffers from non-verbal learning disability, meaning that they cannot decipher non-verbal cues, such as body language. Thus, you’re able to create a customized online training plan that focuses on interpersonal skills to improve their performance. You may not be able to remedy the disability, but you can help them bridge related skill and knowledge gaps in order to mitigate its impact on their job duties. Thereby, increasing their self-confidence and capacity to handle stressful situations in the workplace. For instance, they will be able to interact with a customer and identify their needs through non-verbal cues.
Take a proactive approach to train employees with learning limitations instead of waiting for someone to come forward and voice their concerns. In fact, every organization should use this article as a guide to personalize the process and stay in compliance, as many regions have regulations in effect that pertain to learning accessibility and inclusivity. Ensure that no matter what the learning capabilities of your employees might be, you’re prepared to meet their unique training needs.
Online learners with special needs should still be able to enjoy a good serious game that entertains as it builds vital skills. Read the article 9 Tips To Create Serious Games For Online Learners With Special Needs to discover tips to develop serious games that are fun for all and even out the L&D playing field.
