Spice Up Your Dry E-Learning

Alison sent in the following, stating,

"When designing e-learning, it’s easy to fall into the trap that one can just dump content into a PowerPoint, deliver it, and consider their mission accomplished. This is especially the case with topics such as compliance training where employees may be completing a required course that essentially checks a box. Other important but historically uninteresting topics, such as money management, can also fall into this category.

Luckily, there are some ways that topics that seem dull can be made into fun but still informative training courses for your learners. Here are some tips for content creation that will help learners look forward to taking your courses:

People your learners can connect with

This fictional person could be facing a problem that’s identical to the course content. The character may also be in the job the learner is training for via an e-learning program. The learner will get a narrative of this character’s problems and choices throughout the training that will help them figure out what they’d do if they were in this person’s shoes.

Scenarios or simulations

You can also create a script where the learner imagines themselves facing a troubling issue on the job. For example, someone’s life may be in the balance in a medical profession, or they’re risking an upset client if they make the wrong recommendation when planning an important event. This will help the learner get a realistic look about what to expect once they’re in their chosen role.

A scenario can also include clickable images that allow the learner to demonstrate they understand concepts being taught by making the best choice to solve a problem. If they select the incorrect answer, they’ll receive feedback on why they made the wrong choice. Then, once they make the correct choice, they’ll get confirmation on why that answer was the desired outcome.

As you can see, the right combination of emotional elements and interactive scenarios will make even the most uninteresting topics into a course that can hold your learners’ attention."