Engagement and Learning Retention
While eLearning is convenient and cost-effective, making it engaging is challenging. Ask any instructional designer, and they will tell you about a great course they designed that was a flop with learners. You go through the first four phases of ADDIE and are stunned at the results.
Yet, when a course fails to yield results often, we believe it is because of substandard learning objectives or an erroneous gap analysis. And while it is true that missing the mark on either of these items can be detrimental to the success of any course, there could be another culprit for a course's demise, lack of engagement.
It may sound strange to many, but have you ever considered that learners are unsuccessful at completing your course because it is boring? I know it is hard to believe that the beloved course you spent hours creating puts learners to sleep, but if you want to develop learning that leads to meaningful results, you have to take a step back and take and look at your course through an objective lens.
So let’s dive into why instructional designers must consider engagement when designing eLearning. First and foremost, when learners are engaged, they are more likely to remember the information they have learned. This is because engagement helps to activate the brain, making it easier to process and retain information. Creating engaging eLearning can increase learner motivation and enthusiasm for the subject matter, leading to better performance and higher achievement.
Now that you know why, you may wonder how to make your eLearning engaging. This is where a proper learning analysis comes into play. Engagement is not one size fits all. It’s dependent upon the subject matter, the learning objectives, course outcomes, and, most importantly, the learner. For example, interactive simulations, gamification, and multimedia content can be used by instructional designers to create a more immersive and interactive experience who enjoy learning experiences that allow them to participate in activities that are relevant to their jobs. Personalization, social learning, and adaptive learning work techniques can also be employed to give learners ownership of their learning.
Creating Lifelong Learners
When learners enjoy the learning experience, they are more likely to continue seeking opportunities to continue their learning and personal growth. Participating in engaging eLearning courses can put them on the path to becoming lifelong learners who thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Ultimately, eLearning has the potential to revolutionize the way we learn and acquire knowledge. However, to be effective, eLearning must be engaging. By incorporating interactive elements, personalization, and other engagement techniques, educators and trainers can create eLearning experiences that are not only effective but also enjoyable and memorable for learners.