Do away with old, inefficient eLearning authoring processes… Embrace Smart eLearning
Smart learning… is it a myth? How wonderful that more organisations and training providers are jumping on the digital learning bandwagon. However, is the eLearning they create in sync with modern learning behaviours and up for the competition? And do standard production processes foster the right mindset to create the type of eLearning that is?
Online, mobile, and technology-enabled learning is set to keep rising as 53% of corporate learning and development (L&D) teams plan to increase their investment in digital learning this year. And it’s no wonder because the messages from learners are clear; they expect and demand relevant digital content when they want it, on any devices, wherever they are. For the most part, this is at a point of need. With learners in the driver’s seat, any walls between learning and performance are, rightly, being knocked down. The focus is now on what helps with a problem, not what course you’ve completed. Of course, learners find their answers on Google, YouTube, social networks, internal resource banks, and formal learning content.
Smart eLearning says “eLearning needs to get smarter”
Elearning needs to smarten up by becoming more needs-focused, supporting performance in situ, and using modern digital design techniques. However, smart elearning is more than just a shift from courses to resources with a sprinkle of gamification.
We know social and collaborative learning is an incredibly powerful, instinctive, and growing force in the L&D world through technology. But rather than seeing eLearning as something separate from social and collaborative learning, a truly modern approach is to unleash the power of people within eLearning. This can be done by enabling experts to easily and quickly share knowledge, stories, and insights and by smartly using social polls and other group learning techniques within the content itself.
For smart elearning, you need smart processes
To create the right kind of eLearning, you need the right kind of process. So, we ask:
- Does the typical development process meet the necessity for creating agile multi-device learning that follows the shifting needs of learners and stakeholders?
- Is it really empowering people to collaborate and share knowledge with others in the easiest way?
The typical eLearning process has numerous pitfalls that waste time and money, usually starting with communication barriers. It risks edging projects away from learners’ needs rather than toward them. Thus, there’s certainly room to make more ‘smart’ elearning .
To go further and create a smart process that enables a modern kind of eLearning, we need to shift away from processes shaped around the development of fixed courses. Instead, we must put collaboration and iteration at the very heart of how we design. Technology is key to this.
To create truly smart elearning:
Make the eLearning Process Simple
The eLearning system must be simple and user-friendly and must be designed keeping this in mind. If it is taken into consideration while designing the layout of an elearning program, the end user will be able to utilise the resources to their maximum potential.
Do Not Complicate Scenarios/Topics
If you have planned to implement scenarios for learners to solve, then you must ensure that everything you talk about is simple and easy to understand. reduce the level of ‘nice to know’ background information, so as not to overwhelm the learner. Be direct, straight to thpointnt to keep the learner focused on the topic.
Explain Thoroughly New Terms of Concepts
There are several novel concepts/terms that you might like to introduce in the learning process. Be mindful of information overload, and break the process or topic into smaller chunks which will be more palatable to the learner and easier to digest.
Keep Concepts Realistic
All of your content should be as realistic as possible. Learning should be designed to replicate real-world scenarios and offer an opportunity for self-discovery and practice.
Test the Understanding of Learners
Remember to present an opportunity for the learners to check their knowledge. Feedback should be provided to both re-direct learners in the event of a fail or incorrect answer and reinforce concepts in the event of a correct answer.
Consider the Need of your Learners
Be mindful fo the needs of your learners as well as the organisation. learners will only retain the information for as long as they ae motivated. provide challenging and motivating exercises to provoke thought and curiosity.
This is how you make Smart eLearning!
Here at Smart eLearning, we’ve perfected the concept. Let us help you make your learning Smart!
