Top 10 eLearning Skills That eLearning Professionals Should Have

Top 10 eLearning Skills That A Successful eLearning Professional Has

No two eLearning projects are alike. As such, the skill sets and unique talents for each eLearning project vary greatly. While one eLearning course might require extensive knowledge of a particular Instructional Design Model, another may call for an in depth understanding of a particular eLearning Authoring Tool. However, there are a set of specific eLearning skills that eLearning professionals can acquire and fine tune in order to help any future eLearning project run smoothly.

1. Have a thirst for knowledge and always look for opportunities to learn.
   First and foremost, eLearning professionals must have a constant thirst for knowledge. They must acknowledge the fact that learning is an ongoing process, and have a deep passion for learning as a whole. Even though you are providing others with an eLearning experience through instruction, eLearning course design, or content development, as an eLearning professional you must regard yourself as a perpetual student who never stops learning new eLearning concepts, ideas, or skill sets.
2. Desire to understand how individuals learn and develop skill sets.
   The need to understand how people learn is yet another trait of a successful eLearning professional. Which delivery methods will allow the learner to best absorb the new knowledge and skills? Which model or theory will most effectively allow the learner to not only acquire the information, but retain and recall it for later use? Having a firm grasp on learning behaviors and how the brain actually absorbs information is a key skill if you are an eLearning professional. This skill often involves a great deal of research and analysis. As such, you must also be able to effectively research and turn raw data into a winning strategy.
3. Creativity and the ability to write content that is both meaningful and motivational.
   All successful eLearning professionals have a creative spark and the ability to create high quality custom content. Well crafted content is essential for any eLearning deliverable, as is choosing the right media for that content. You will have to be able to engage the learners, immerse them in the eLearning experience while making the eLearning experience as interactive as possible. The most effective way to achieve this is by utilizing your creativity to develop content and eLearning courses that are informative, impactful, and cleverly written.
4. Communicate ideas and concepts effectively.
   An important part of any eLearning development process is giving and receiving feedback. As an eLearning professional, it's essential to be able to not only offer constructive criticism, but to receive it as well. As a result, the fourth entry on our list of key eLearning skills is communication skills. Offering feedback that allows learners to change behaviors or analyze different problem solving approaches enables them to get the most out of their eLearning experience. On the other hand, it's also important to learn how to transform learners’ opinions and input into action by improving upon your strategies and making your deliverables even more effective.
5. Facilitate the learning process and convey core ideas.
   Do you know how to guide a learner through the learning/training process? Can you summarize key ideas and transform information into powerful presentations, learning materials, or virtual content? The ability to facilitate the learning process and to effectively convey core ideas is all-important in the eLearning industry.
6. Knowledge of current and emerging eLearning tools and applications.
   The wonderful thing about being an eLearning professional in this technological era, is that you have access to a variety of eLearning tools and media that can enhance the overall eLearning experience. However, in order to utilize these eLearning technologies, you will have to have in depth knowledge of how these fit into the eLearning development process while knowing how to get the most benefit from them.
7. Critical thinking and the ability to discover new approaches to problem solving.
   There are two primary reasons why it's essential for an eLearning professional to be an expert problem solver and an analytical thinker at the same time. Firstly, you are bound to face challenges while creating eLearning deliverables. Probably, you will run into obstacles with the layout design or have difficulty converting the information into a powerful and well crafted eLearning module. However, if you are a problem solver, then you can think outside that proverbial box and tackle any challenge that will inevitably appear. Secondly, it allows you to see new approaches to eLearning. By thinking analytically, you can pinpoint innovative ways to deliver content or appeal to varied learning needs.
8. Be detail oriented and capable of seeing how each element serves the primary goal.
   Successful eLearning courses and modules are those that are well written, well designed, and aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, eLearning professionals must be highly organized and have a keen eye for detail. After all, it's the details that make a world of difference in regards to layout, interactivity, and learner immersion. Being able to choose the right font color, the ideal graphic, and paying close attention to even the most minor detail is a key attribute of an eLearning professional.
9. Know the importance of real world applications in eLearning.
   Having a clear idea of how learners will utilize the information provided and designing your eLearning courses with real world benefits in mind is all-important. A trademark of a great eLearning professional is the ability to tie real world applications into the eLearning course content. Rather than just haphazardly integrating tidbits of information into a course, a successful eLearning professional will consider how each and every element will be useful to the learner long after the eLearning course has been completed.
10. A dedication and commitment to providing the best possible learning experience.
    A successful eLearning professional is one who is truly devoted to their profession, and is committed to providing learners with an eLearning experience that is unparalleled. Holding yourself to a higher standard when creating deliverables is essential, as is not settling for anything less than the best in regards to the eLearning design, content, and multimedia that you are offering to your learners.

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