When we think of the word, motivation, instantly two things come to mind. First, when we are young, many outside things motivate us, a desire to do something, the reality of punishment from our parents, positive and negative reinforcement of what we are doing, etc. All of these things help to motivate children, and in some cases, it has a positive effect, and in other cases, it does not. The more proactive the motivation, the more positive the response to that motivation, the more reactionary the motivation, the more negative the response. The second picture that comes to mind is a learned reaction to something. Like Pavlov and his dogs, which would salivate when he rang the bell, motivation can be at times subconscious. However, there are much more things that drive the motivation of human beings, and in the arena of learning, there are some critical pieces to the puzzle that have to be developed so that learners feel the value of what they are learning and how it will benefit them. The rewards of their success must be considered from a variety of sources and satisfy them on a variety of levels, and as instructional designers of e-learning programs, we must not only understand these factors but be skilled in utilizing them in the courses that we design.
eLearning designers are often the unsung heroes of effective online learning experiences. They have the powerful role of being the ones that build the content provided by the subject matter expert into a robust and engaging narrative for the learner. However, getting there isn't easy. If you are just starting out, you aren't going to become an expert on day one. But if you follow some expert advice, your road to success will be much smoother. This is a compilation of some things we wish we knew when starting out as a new eLearning designer.
As the workplace moves faster, Learning & Development leaders must keep up to ensure employees can adapt. High-impact learning is the answer to this. It is not only fast-paced, but it also involves strategies to increase retention rates, so your students aren’t just learning quickly, they’re able to retain and apply that knowledge. A large part of a high-impact eLearning program’s success is that it involves people in leadership and management positions which help encourage and enforce learning. Results can be recorded and continual, leading to real changes in job performance.
The brain is constantly on the lookout for ways to improve by obtaining new knowledge and skills, even before birth. Unfortunately, retaining information can be challenging, simply because instructors and course designers do not always use methods that facilitate remembering. The following seven points look at key principles from neuroscience research paired with tips that will allow course creators to achieve effective eLearning courses.
The workplace in the modern world is changing: from the way we work, the behavior of employees, and even learning habits; nothing is unfolding as it used to be. Going even further, demographic changes in recent decades mean that a new type of worker is here, with needs and characteristics very different from previous generations. All these factors, combined, mean that the traditional learning methods (depending mainly on instructor-led format) may not be effective anymore in today's business environment. Workplace learning must evolve along with the changing needs of the workforce and the fast-paced economy.
In recent years we have experienced great changes in the workplace. As a result, we have seen an exponential growth of e-learning in companies. In fact, according to a report by consulting firm MarketsandMarkets, the eLearning industry is expected to skyrocket from $8.4 billion by 2020 to $33.2 billion in 2025 But before digging deeper, let's discuss: What is eLearning exactly? And what are the benefits it offers to both learners and companies? Continue reading.
If you are about to start creating an eLearning course, don't just read this article and move on. Make sure you answer each of these questions so that you have a clear idea of the direction you want your course to take. The more you understand the course you are about to create the better chances it will be a successful one. These questions will guarantee : That your eLearning course design connects and resonates with your audience That your learners are receptive to the content, and That your efforts are measurable!
That you have built the course is no guarantee that learners will flock to take it. Modern workers have better things to do than take courses that do not appeal to them. So what do you have to do to appeal to your learners? You have to excite them. You have to intrigue them. You have to provide solutions to their problems. And most importantly, you have to convince them that your content will change their life for the better. How? By knowing what your learners expect from you. By knowing your learners, so you can deliver exactly what they need. By having a deeper understanding of them you can approach them like a friend and guide them like a mentor to make them change their behavior and attitudes. Have conversations with them frequently. Hear about their needs, fears, goals, interests, and expectations and figure out the next steps from there. Each conversation will make you more effective at eLearning design. "The better we know our students, and the more they know and trust that we know them, the more invested they become in their learning" - TeachThought If you know your learners, it will be worth your time as you will be more capable of:
