Course designers face numerous obstacles when creating an eLearning course. Not only must it be convenient and simple to use, but perhaps most importantly, it must engage and motivate learners. If you are new to the field of eLearning or have been on the receiving end of disappointing results, consider implementing these 5 methods to increase eLearning engagement when configuring your next programme:

1.Structure your content carefully

It is advisable to follow the linear structure that learners prefer; starting with the introduction and learning objectives, followed by the modules and a final assessment task. That being said, don’t be afraid to inject some excitement into each stage. For example, varying sentence lengths keeps things exciting by throwing learners’ brains off a little. Short sentences do this well.  Additionally, using titles and subtitles are crucial in directing learners’ attention to key information

Another way to really captivate learners is to provide them with staggered stories. Giving them a portion at a time evokes their intrigue enough for them to continue with the course to find out how the story ends. This could be told by an animated character or tutor who acts as a familiar face to guide them through the process.  Short but regular contact is key.

2.Compelling visuals

To further enhance engagement in eLearning, visuals are a must. These may take the form of photos, illustrations, videos, charts or anything else that presents information in a clear and concise format. Not only is this visually appealing, it also enhances learners’ ability to recall information and, eradicates chunks of texts and the misconception that learning simply equals reading.

3.Meaningful interactions

It is essential that content is relevant to learners and that they know each module’s purpose. Providing students with an interactive platform for certain tasks enhances this relevance and places learners in the driving seat of their own eLearning experience; able to control multiple outcomes. Interactions may come in the form of tab interactions, which allow learners to choose content relevant to them, interactive scenarios as well as quizzes and questions. Combining all this with a conversational, personable tone makes learning content even more relatable and engaging.

4.Videos

Appealing to auditory and visual senses, a multisensory experience can be achieved most effectively by implementing an array of videos to captivate the audience, particularly when the content is genuinely of interest. It’s important that videos are relevant, of high quality and suit the target audience; an added bonus if they contain interactive options as well.

5.Games

Fun is possibly the number one source of engagement and games will almost definitely achieve this. Bringing a competitive, challenging element to learning breaks up the monotony of being fed facts and instead, tests learners’ knowledge as well as their decision-making abilities.

It’s evident that there are various ways to improve the quality of learners engagement in eLearning, and although it is not essential to utilise all above strategies at once, it could be a case of trial and error to decipher what works best for your organisation. Remember to always encourage feedback from learners so you can constantly update and amplify your eLearning programme according to their experiences, needs and preferences.