We’re sharing 50 quick fire tips aimed at helping to make elearning the best it can be. Whether you’re new to the industry or a veteran, there’s something for everyone in this list of bite-sized hints. Originally created for Twitter, they really are bijoux but there’s always a link if you want to delve a bit deeper.
Tip 1: ‘Device-proof’ your elearning by using a responsive tool like Adapt so content adjusts to fit any size screen.
Tip 2: Chunking helps learners to absorb the content so design your elearning with this in mind.
Tip 3: Brush up your marketing skills and promote your elearning with a campaign - before, during and after.
Tip 4: For induction elearning use actionable information, avoid high level concepts and focus on the individual.
Tip 5: A Cloud-based LMS is a good idea if your organisation employs a lot of remote workers or operates across multiple time-zones.
Tip 6: Custom-made elearning is best for organisations which have a very specific training need or workforce.
Tip 7: Gamification can positively enhance a learner’s level of activity, motivation, interactivity & engagement.
Tip 8: Consider the impact of unconscious bias when designing your elearning.
Tip 9: Aim to have one master version of your elearning completely signed-off before starting any translation and localisation.
Tip 10: For soft skills elearning interactive scenarios work really well.
Tip 11: If you’re completely new to elearning, it’s good to start by identifying your audience.
Tip 12: Remember, short-term memory can hold 5-9 bits of information so bear this in mind when designing your elearning.
Tip 13: Interactive video can work really well for instructional or task-based elearning.
Tip 14: If you are moving your training approach online, start with a needs analysis.
Tip 15: If your elearning needs to be translated into multiple languages, design for expanding text.
Tip 16: Always be mindful of the different ways people learn when designing your elearning course.
Tip 17: When giving feedback within your elearning be timely and constructive.
Tip 18: The elearning industry should already be thinking about how best to leverage wearable technology.
Tip 19: Consider which elearning authoring tool will best suit the needs of your learners.
Tip 20: The new negative scoring feature in Articulate’s Storyline 2 is useful to help gamify your elearning.
Tip 21: The best elearning is performance focused not content focused.
Tip 22: Designing for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is essentially responsive design so focus on simplicity.
Tip 23: Do a Tone of Voice Exercise before starting your elearning to make sure you use the right language for your learners.
Tip 24: The employee engagement funnel can help be a helpful concept to aid elearning design.
Tip 25: Utilise problem-solving in your elearning course to aid learning and engagement.
Tip 26: Music can aid emotional connection within elearning particularly within a narrative or scenario.
Tip 27: For game elearning focus on how the game play can deepen the learning rather than simply make it fun.
Tip 28: If your elearning is destined for multiple countries than consider cultural differences & national laws.
Tip 29: If authenticity is a key requirement for your elearning, you may want to use actual employees for stills & video.
Tip 30: Before starting a project, weigh up whether the best approach for your elearning is synchronous or asynchronous.
Tip 31: Borrowing techniques from the world of game design can help bring your elearning to life.
Tip 32: Choose a responsive tool like Adapt to save time and money.
Tip 33: Open up creative possibilities for your elearning by using illustrated characters.
Tip 34: Game elearning is most effective when it deals with real risks and real consequences.
Tip 35: Follow up questions or micro-learning quizzes after an elearning course can help the learner retain knowledge.
Tip 36: Flexibility, clarity and measurability are key consideration when designing elearning for induction.
Tip 37: Have a mixture of reading, listening and doing to help address multiple learning styles within one elearning module.
Tip 38: Retention rates can be increased if the learner’s new knowledge is tested within a real world setting.
Tip 39: Combining gamification with a three act narrative structure can be a powerful and effective elearning tool.
Tip 40 Elearning can help address unconscious bias and negative patterns in the workplace.
Tip 41: To aid translation, minimise the use of embedded text with elearning:
Tip 42: Good elearning simulations accurately model real workflow systems.
Tip 43: Quizzes and gamified options are good choices for effective responsive elearning design.
Tip 44: Use the VARK survey to help inform your thinking about different learning styles.
Tip 45: For elearning feedback avoid criticism, be constructive and offer alternatives.
Tip 46: New motion paths and triggers are useful to help enhance animation within Articulate’s Storyline 2.
Tip 47: Always explain why in your elearning to aid relevance and engagement for the learner.
Tip 48: Using good quality sound effects in your elearning can aid immersion within scenarios or enhance an elearning game.
Tip 49: For compliance elearning, always make it relevant and explain how it affects the learner and their job.
Tip 50: Quantified Self could offer an exciting oportunity for elearning but the industry needs to start investigating possible applications.
If you would like to see an example of Sponge UK’s custom-made, award winning elearning then call on +44 (0)207 492 1977 or fill in the form for a free demonstration.
