Do you believe the ‘e’ in E-learning stands for eyesore? Are you tired of E-learning content that puts you to sleep?
Well, no one can fault you for it. The learners dismiss PPT-style ‘click next’ content faster than they skip Instagram reels with outdated trends!
Here are 10 commandments that you can follow to transform your content from cringe-worthy to binge-worthy!
1) Create ‘ELU’ moments – Eyes Light Up. A strong opening hook is essential for all forms of content
2) Compress, don’t compromise! Reduction in length doesn’t mean dilution of the concept
3) Use listicles and acronyms to increase recall and retention
4) SPUR the learner (Simple, Provocative, Unique and Relevant). There, a good example of acronym
5) Use storytelling techniques to make it fascinating and relatable.
6) Make it anecdotal and conversational.
7) Trigger reflective thinking and self-directed learning. Getting the learner to pause and reflect is the most effective way to crossover from demonstration to application
8) Avoid pointless jargon!
9) Gamification is more than badges/leaderboards. Gamify points of friction
10) Bite-size is the right size!
There are many nuances to designing e-learning content. However, this set of best practices is a good starting point. Ensuring these boxes are ticked will prevent your content from having a soporific effect on the learner.
If you were to pause and recall the top few E-learning courses that you have consumed, you will realise all of them used a generous scoop of these guiding principles. And while these commandments all seem intuitive, they are grounded in neuroscience.
Here is a quick and simplified explanation of how the brain works. The brain comprises 2 critical parts – let’s call them the Feeler (Limbic System) and the Thinker (Prefrontal Cortex).
As the name suggests, the ‘Feeler’ is the seat of emotion and is the dominant part of the brain. It controls our ‘fight or flight’ response. The ‘Thinker’ is the seat of intelligence and critical thinking. The relationship between them is like a seesaw: if one is activated, the other shuts down!
I can go into the details of neuroscience of learning, but that is best left for another blog!
For any learning asset to be effective, it must activate the 'thinker' in the learner's brain. However, the ‘thinker’ is small (can’t retain more than a few pieces of information), processes serially, is energy-intensive and gets distracted easily.
Now revisit the list and map it back to the characteristics of the ‘thinker’.
You will realise why obeying the 10 Commandments will ensure the ‘e’ in your E-learning stands for Effective, Enlightened, Elegant and Empowered, not ‘Eyesore’!
