Designing elearning modules for the first time can be difficult. Training in-person and training online are two very different activities. What works in one medium may not work in another. Designers must understand the strengths and the limitations of an online platform to create an effective course. The good news is that they don’t have to figure out everything by themselves. Many have been offering elearning modules for over a decade and they have already discovered some of the secrets to success. They have analyzed their failures and made improvements. Below are among their most important findings:
Organize for Good Flow
It may seem self-evident but it still deserves to be mentioned because a lot of designers make structural mistakes. Create an outline of the course and make sure that it has a good flow. Each topic should build on the ones before it. You cannot use a concept that you haven’t explained as it will only confuse students. In an online class, they will not be able to raise their hands to ask for clarifications. It needs to be clear throughout. Go through your outline several times to check whether you have the right sequence.
Keep Each Module Short
A course will contain a lot of information. It is tempting to make long videos that expound on each topic but you have to ask yourself whether this is necessary. Perhaps the audience already knows about this because of their experience in the company. Maybe they don’t need the information since their jobs are limited to certain functions. You could do a deep dive later on in the course when it is needed. Or you could create an advanced version of the course if necessary for the managers and executives. When making a video, try to keep it under 20 minutes to avoid attention drift.
Combine Text with Graphics
A course that is purely text-based will find it hard to catch the attention of the students. Use graphics to illustrate concepts and increase visual impact. This will break the monotony and make people pay attention. Instead of itemizing the data, create a graph so that viewers can see movements and patterns. Instead of just mentioning names, provide pictures of individuals for a better idea of who the person is. Hire artists to make digital sketches of important ideas. Make flowcharts to explain algorithms and systems.
Encourage Course Interaction
Passively watching a course can lull people into inattention. Make sure that they are actively absorbing the details by testing them at the end of each module. Just one question should be enough to jolt them into consciousness.
