8 Top Tips For Conducting eLearning Social Media Polls

8 Top Tips For Conducting eLearning Social Media Polls
Summary: Social media is a place to read about the latest news and catch up with friends but it's also a valuable feedback tool for eLearning professionals. In this article, I'll share 8 top tips for conducting eLearning social media polls.

How To Conduct eLearning Social Media Polls

Polls offer you the opportunity to get inside the minds of online learners and improve your eLearning course design without wasting a moment of their precious time. But how do you create targeted poll questions to pinpoint gaps and gauge online learners' honest opinions? Here are 8 helpful tips to conduct an eLearning social media poll.

1. Keep Social Media Poll Questions Short And Concise

Online learners don't have a lot of time to participate in eLearning social media polls. As such, you should keep the questions clear and concise. Preferably a brief sentence that centers on a specific topic or eLearning "pain point". It's also wise to limit the number of questions you include in each poll. In addition, all of the inquiries should tie into the same category. For example, one poll can focus on the interactive elements of your eLearning course design while another covers the navigability and user-friendliness.

2. Focus On Clear Goals And Objectives

Every eLearning social media poll should tie into a specific goal, objective, or desired outcome. For example, you want to gauge interest in a new eLearning course topic or need to determine the effectiveness of your online training simulation. Concentrating on specific objectives allows you to create relevant poll questions that lead to actionable data instead of generalized questions that offer limited insight.

3. Don't Tap Into The Power Of Persuasion

Chances are, you have a general idea of the answer you're looking for before you even create the poll questions. For example, a "correct" response that is based on your personal opinions or beliefs. However, you should avoid leading questions that sway online learners to a particular direction. Carefully evaluate your inquiries to ensure that they are free of persuasive vocabulary, such as exaggerations or suggestive adjectives.

4. Follow Up To Collect Targeted eLearning Feedback

Your eLearning social media polls may require further clarification, even if the questions are clear and concise. In addition to follow-up eLearning social media polls, here are a few ways to collect more targeted eLearning feedback for your eLearning course:

a. Conduct Online Surveys And Questionnaires

Online surveys and questionnaires are ideal for more complex or involved eLearning topics. For example, eLearning social media polls reveal that online learners are looking for more diversity in your eLearning course design. Thus, you can conduct a follow-up survey to determine their interests, learning needs, and personal preferences, and create more personalized eLearning content to address their needs.

b. Assess Your Online Learners

eLearning assessments help you determine how much an online learner knows and what they still need to work on. As such, you're able to zero-in on specific performance and skill gaps that your eLearning course needs to address. eLearning assessments move beyond personal opinion so that you can get to the root of the problem. For example, your eLearning social media polls suggest that online learners are unable to achieve their goal, even after they complete the eLearning course. A follow-up eLearning assessment helps you pinpoint the knowledge or skill gaps that are hindering their progress.

c. Create A Focus Group

Select a handful of online learners to participate in a focus group based on the poll results. For instance, the 5% of online learners who think the eLearning course has room to improve. Ask for more details about the strengths and weaknesses of the eLearning course design from their point of view. Then invite them to retake the eLearning course once you make the improvements and conduct another eLearning social media poll or survey. You can use online discussions, video conferencing tools, and social media groups to conduct focus groups online.

5. Strike The Right Tone

Use relatable vocabulary and avoid technical jargon to strike the right tone with your audience. Online learners should be able to understand the question in its entirety so that they can provide accurate answers. Complicated vocabulary or sentence structures defeat the purpose of an eLearning social media poll, as participants may misconstrue the meaning of the question.

6. Avoid Flooding The Feeds

It's important to stay active on your social media page and to post polls on a regular basis. This fosters learner engagement and shows them that their opinion counts. However, try to avoid flooding their feeds with daily polls or a series of involved questions. Keep in mind that your online learners are busy people, and many of them use social media as a way to interact with friends and family. They don't want to face a flurry of questions every time they log in.

7. Make The Most Of Social Media Analytics

Social media analytics reveal online learner preferences, participation, and overall engagement. They give you the opportunity to see which platforms your online learners use so that you can concentrate on relevant social networking sites. Analytics also allow you to improve your eLearning social media polls. For example, you discover that 75% of your online learners use Facebook on a daily basis, but only 25% of them are answering your poll questions. Thus, you may need to work on your social media polling strategy.

8. Create A Plan Of Action

Once you've gathered all of your eLearning feedback, it's time to create actionable goals. How will you use the data to create a more personalized and effective eLearning experience? If participation rates are low, should you consider other social media tools for your next poll? Did your questions achieve the desired results, or is there a need for further clarification?

eLearning social media polls allow you to gather Big Data so that you can create more personalized and relevant eLearning experiences. The secret is to keep them short, succinct, and targeted in order to focus your feedback efforts. Use these 8 tips and techniques to conduct a successful eLearning social media poll for your next eLearning course.

Are you an eLearning professional who wants to have an impressive social media presence? Read the article 12 Golden Social Media Rules For eLearning Professionals to discover 12 golden social media rules for eLearning professionals, so that you can be sure that your online presence successfully reflects your eLearning professional identity.