Elearning Success and 8 Critical Don'ts
The first step towards eLearning success is knowing what not to do.
That may sound strange, but it's true - the best way to avoid rookie mistakes and ensure you're headed in the right direction is to know the common pitfalls that can derail even the most promising of elearning projects.
Here are 8 critical don'ts of elearning success, along with tips on how to avoid them - so you can focus on what really matters: creating engaging and effective training that your learners will love!
1) Don’t Be Overwhelmed with Technology when creating elearning courses
ELearning platforms are a great way to create eLearning content, but it’s easy to get bogged down in bells and whistles—this is especially true if you’re working with an eLearning agency that focuses on different tools than your team has been using.
Before settling on an eLearning platform, take some time to research others, test them out, and make sure you know what they offer. Keep in mind that there are several types of online elearning training content (drag-and-drop, interactive text boxes, etc.) so do some research before deciding which format is best for your scenario.
The flip side of too much technology is not enough technology—keep learning in mind when building elearning courses so that they’re easier for learners to understand.
elearning platform - elearning agency
2) Don’t Rush ELearning Design
The temptation to rush through an elearning design project is very real, but it's crucial that you take enough time for testing and iteration before releasing your first draft.
By taking extra time up front, you will end up saving yourself lots of headache later on—not only by potentially improving user experience but also by saving yourself from having to issue corrections or re-record any voice-overs (and possibly redo animations).
Make sure all sounds are checked so they aren’t irritatingly loud or tinny. Make sure animations work correctly on all elearning platforms so they don’t look goofy or choppy on some devices.
3) Don’t Start without an Elearning Plan
Starting with a clear elearning plan can be your best chance for success. First, look at which devices you want to deliver your elearning on. Then decide how you want people to access it (do they need the Internet? Will it be downloadable?).
Finally, figure out who is going to take on what roles in developing and launching your elearning project, from writer to QA engineer to developer.
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4) Don’t Expect One Tool to Rule Them All in elearning
It’s important to learn about your eLearning platforms, but it’s also crucial to remember that every company has different needs when it comes to eLearning content development.
Therefore, you should never rely on one tool to rule them all. For example, while you may be able to get away with using a common authoring tool, you won’t want to limit yourself when it comes time for professional customizations that require code.
If your project demands these types of changes, you’ll want a team of developers who know how to use such tools as SCORM Cloud or learning management systems (LMS). So don’t simply look at LMS capabilities; instead, make sure your eLearning platform integrates well with other existing systems within your organization.
5) Don’t Expect an Elearning Project to be Easy
Building an eLearning platform from scratch or developing a robust eLearning course from scratch can seem like a daunting undertaking.
While it’s true that there are plenty of web-based tools for creating your own eLearning, you will still have to make important decisions about what to include in your course.
Whether you work with an elearning agency or do it yourself, you should make sure that everything is on point—from graphics to instructional design. If something isn’t right, you could end up wasting time and money. It may take some time, but don’t rush things if they aren’t done correctly: perfect is better than good enough in many cases!
elearning platform - elearning agency
6) Don’t Underestimate the Power of Storytelling in Elearning
Storytelling is one of human’s most effective teaching techniques—and often a powerful tool for learning. In fact, research shows that our brains process stories differently than other types of information.
Stories connect with us in a way that can help us relate to concepts we otherwise might not understand and easily recall what we’ve learned. They also provide a framework for understanding new information—which is key to really internalizing knowledge.
That said, just because it’s effective doesn’t mean it should be overused. The more directly you can tie your content to an existing concept or theme, the better off you will be.
7) Do Think About Learner Engagement First
In an effort to provide immediate value, eLearning developers often make courses that are overloaded with facts, figures, and instructional content.
But that's a mistake. It's crucial to think about how your course is going to engage learners right away—what will keep them interested through every step of your course?
How can you hold their attention? You'll want to know what they don't know (yet) so you can decide which material should be presented up front and in-depth, and which information should be saved for later review. Once you've considered all of these things, it's time to begin writing (or outlining) your eLearning lesson plan.
elearning platform - elearning agency
8) Don’t Overthink eLearning Objectives
Creating learning objectives is an important step in your eLearning development process. However, it’s equally important to keep them simple. If they don’t tell employees exactly what they need to learn, they are not worth your time or effort.
For example, a sample of good learning objectives might be To use Microsoft Office Word effectively or To understand our new product line. A bad one might be something like To become more effective in using Microsoft Office Word to better meet customer needs with our new product line. The point here is that there are no multiple correct answers when creating learning objectives - focus on clarity rather than complexity to ensure success.
Elearning Platform, ELearning Agency
Elearning success is not a matter of chance. It requires careful planning, expert execution, and some element of luck. At times, it’s also about knowing what not to do—and making sure you don’t fall into these common eLearning traps.
So ask yourself: Are you making any of these mistakes? If so, why? What would be a better strategy for your eLearning project? Write out your thoughts as quickly as possible and save them as a document. Include suggestions for moving forward in your next eLearning project. By taking time now to think through issues with your previous eLearning projects, you can set yourself up for long-term success later on.