Top 8 eLearning Barriers That Inhibit Online Learners Engagement With eLearning Content

Top 8 eLearning Barriers That Inhibit Online Learners Engagement With eLearning Content
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Summary: Is there something standing in the way of your online learner's success? Are they having a hard time engaging with the eLearning content? Have you noticed a gradual decline in online learner participation? In this article, I'll explore the top 8 eLearning barriers that inhibit online learners engagement with eLearning content and how to overcome them.

Discover The 8 Top eLearning Barriers That Inhibit Online Learners Engagement With eLearning Content

In a perfect eLearning world, everyone would have wide open schedules and endless attention spans. They would look forward to every eLearning module and activity, and intrinsic motivation would abound. Unfortunately, eLearning professionals have a variety of obstacles to contend with. But when we find the winning combination and jump over the hurdles, we can provide amazing eLearning experiences. Here are the top eLearning barriers that inhibit online learners engagement with the eLearning material and 8 tips to surmount them.

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1. Limited Tech Experience

Some online learners may be hesitant to leap into eLearning because they don't have much tech experience. They've heard that eLearning is only for tech savvy individuals, thus, they've avoided it up until now. This is one of the most challenging hurdles to jump over because it's a preexisting belief. Online learners have convinced themselves that they need advanced tech skills to participate. However, you can alleviate their concerns by offering them online tutorials and personalized support. Create online demos that show them how to access and utilize the Learning Management System. Invite them to a new eLearning webinar where you'll walk them through the process. The secret is making them feel right at home in the eLearning environment.

2. Past Experience

Not everybody has great past experiences with eLearning. Which is why they're dreading it now. This is particularly true for online learners who have had to endure boring compliance online training courses. You can't erase the past, but you can get them excited about your current eLearning program. Stress the benefits in advance and let them know what's in store. Online learners who have had bad experiences don't need any more surprises, and especially negative ones. So, be clear about why they should take the eLearning course and how it will improve their lives. Additionally, carry out polls and questionnaires to identify problem areas you need to address. For instance, issues that arose with other eLearning courses.

3. Lack Of Motivation

You probably already knew that motivation was going to show up near the top of the list. After all, it is one of the most common challenges that eLearning professionals face. Any number of things can contribute to lack of motivation. But there is a way to get your online learners involved and actively engaged in the process: gamification. Badges, certificates, points, and leaderboards give online learners the motivation they need to achieve the desired outcomes.

4. Personal Cognitions

Unfortunately, some of your online learners may be dealing with self-defeating beliefs and opinions. For example, they may feel as though they don't have the skills or abilities to enroll in your eLearning course. This prevents them from receiving the benefits of the eLearning experience you offer. One of the best ways to overcome personal cognitions is to acknowledge and evaluate them. Ask online learners thought-provoking questions that prompt them to examine their beliefs and assumptions. They may not be aware that these negative cognitions exist in the first place.

5. Too Challenging eLearning Materials

Creating an effective eLearning experience is all about finding the perfect balance. If it's too easy, online learners may become bored and disengaged. If it's too difficult, they may become frustrated and simply give up. As such, you need to research your audience and conduct pre-assessments to find the ideal level of challenge. The goal is to give them a sense of accomplishment without making them struggle through the eLearning course. You can also divide more involved long-term goals into more manageable milestones to increase their motivation. Online learners have the opportunity to monitor their own progress and celebrate their accomplishments along the way.

6. Inadequate Support

Some of your online learners may breeze through the eLearning program on their own. They don't require any additional help and can navigate in the eLearning course with ease. Then there are others who require ongoing assistance throughout the entire eLearning experience. They may not be comfortable using the Learning Management System or find the topic challenging. Regardless of which category online learners fall into, they should ALWAYS have access to support. Provide them with a list of contact details and online resource links they can use to improve their comprehension.

7. Lack Of Community Involvement

Certain people associate eLearning with isolation and loneliness. They want to expand their knowledge, but they don't want to do it alone. For this reason, you should build an active online learning community for your eLearning course. Create social media groups and online forums where online learners can ask question and interact with peers. Start an eLearning blog or website that features helpful articles and multimedia links. Another option is developing online group collaboration activities that allow them to practice problem solving with their peers. There are a variety of Project Management online platforms that can help them communicate, share documents, and assign tasks. eLearning webinars are yet another way to promote community involvement and prevent feelings of isolation.

8. Online Learner Boredom

This list just wouldn't be complete without boredom. When boredom sets in, online learners check out. Solving this quandary once and for all is one of the great pursuits for eLearning professionals. There's no secret recipe to make your eLearning course inspiring and engaging. But the best way to prevent boredom is knowing your online learners. Conduct surveys, interviews, and pre-assessments to identify their expectations, needs, and goals. Use this eLearning feedback to create relevant and relatable eLearning experiences that solve real world challenges. In addition, develop personal learning paths that allow online learners to choose their eLearning activities.

Keep these 8 tips on-hand to overcome eLearning barriers and get your online learners excited about the eLearning experience. You can help them move beyond the cognitions that are holding them back and shed light on common eLearning misconceptions. Just remember that it's all about building a personal connection and offering them the individualized support they need.

Would you like to know what's driving your corporate learners crazy? Read the article 6 Online Training Mistakes That Drive Corporate Learners Crazy to discover the top online training mistakes that your organization should avoid.