Which eLearning Activities Online Learners Love In eLearning?
What's not to love about eLearning? It gives EVERYONE the opportunity to broaden their knowledge base, build their skills, and achieve their learning goals. Best of all, online learners can engage in interactive and entertaining eLearning activities when it fits into their schedules. But what is it about eLearning courses that has online learners head over heels? If you know the answer to this, then you have the power to create amazing eLearning experiences that stick, and that appeal to a broader audience. Here are the top 8 eLearning activities online learners love in eLearning, so you can integrate them into your eLearning course design.
1. Mobile-Friendly eLearning Activities
A vast majority, if not all, of your online learners are already using smartphones or tablets on a daily basis. Some of them wouldn't dream of leaving the home or office without it. So, it makes perfect sense that they can't get enough of mobile-friendly online courses. Use a responsive design eLearning authoring tool to create eLearning content for all browsers and mobile devices. These tools allow you to design a single version of your eLearning course, which automatically adjusts to fit the screen size and resolution. Preview the layout on a variety of different devices to ensure that everything is in working order. Research your audience to determine which devices they use on a regular basis.
2. Visually Stunning eLearning Infographics
eLearning infographics offer a complete snapshot of a topic or trend. These visual representations can also be used for a variety of online training purposes, such as improving task proficiency or building necessary skills. For example, an eLearning infographic can highlight every step in a process or explore the key traits of a specific skill. Many online learners simply don't have the time, or motivation, to sit through a lengthy eLearning course or listen to a lecture; eLearning infographics give them all the information they need in a matter of minutes. There are a variety of eLearning infographic tools that features rich asset libraries, including cutouts, animations, images, and eLearning templates. As such, you can create an amazing eLearning infographic in a fraction of the time and cost.
3. eLearning Scenarios and Simulations
Who doesn't love an interactive eLearning simulation or eLearning scenario that offers all the real world benefits without the real world consequences? Branching scenarios give online learners the power to explore the outcomes of their decisions, while eLearning simulations help them build skills and gain valuable experience. Use realistic images, sound effects, and situations to make your eLearning activities even more immersive and engaging.
4. Bite-sized eLearning Videos
Online learners are particularly fond of microlearning, especially those who are working on a tight schedule. Produce high-quality eLearning videos that explore a specific task or skill; then make it mobile-friendly for your on-the-go online learners. eLearning videos also improve comprehension and knowledge retention because they tap into the power of observation. Online learners can watch correct performance behaviors and then mimic them, as well as discover which behaviors they should avoid in the workplace.
5. eLearning Events
Asynchronous eLearning can be lonely at times, especially for individuals who love interacting with their peers and instructors on a regular basis. This is probably why online learners love eLearning events that give them the chance to collaborate and communicate from miles away. They can also address any concerns they might have, ask questions, and get valuable eLearning feedback. Just make sure that you survey your audience to find the right date and time for your eLearning events, or host multiple eLearning events for global online learners. You can also record the sessions for those who are unable to attend.
6. Group Collaboration eLearning Projects
Group collaboration eLearning projects are yet another social learning activity that increase online learner immersion and engagement. Divide your audience into groups and then ask them to work together to solve a problem or create a deliverable, such as a website, online presentation, or eLearning video. They must use project management online platforms, eLearning authoring tools, and web conferencing software tools to collaborate effectively and produce the finished product. Every online learner gets the opportunity to learn from the eLearning experience of their peers and gather ongoing eLearning feedback.
7. Story-centric Serious Games
People love games. So, it only stands to reason that they would love games that teach them a valuable skill or task even more. Create a serious game that features rich eLearning character development, motivational game mechanics, and an emotionally compelling storyline. Show them how to use the information they've acquired in order to overcome the in-game obstacle or defeat the foe, and make them happy by following a gamification approach, integrating game mechanics such as badges, points, leaderboards, etc., into your eLearning course design.
8. Personal Learning Paths
Online learners like being in control, and personal learning paths give them the ability to map out every aspect of their eLearning experience. They can choose the ideal eLearning activities for their needs, set their own goals, and go at their own pace. Personal paths also appeal to a wide range of learning behaviors. For example, some learners can access eLearning videos and online presentations to increase their understanding, while kinesthetic learners can participate in simulations and serious games that require more movement.
eLearning courses don't have the same limitations as traditional learning experiences. People can learn from anywhere in the world, at any time, and choose the path that's just right for them. You can make your eLearning course even more powerful and memorable by integrating these essential elements into your eLearning course design.
You know the key ingredients, but are you up-to-date with the eLearning trends? Read the article Top 6 eLearning Trends For 2016 to discover how to stay up to date and keep your eLearning course relevant and relatable for modern learners.
