How to build engaging elearning content

There are a few techniques that can assist you in building really engaging learning experiences. There is nothing worse than sitting in a training session or completing online learning that is boring and leaving learners simply ticking the Smiley Face feedback forms to get out of the training as soon as possible.

Let's get into them:

1. Make sure you do your analysis properly – you need to understand HOW your learners would prefer to learn before you build the learning content. There are various strategies that can be followed here. You could do interviews or simple “once off” learning styles to determine the best way your learners learn – in other words ASK your learner. 
2. Very important is that you adjust your learning content to fit the learning styles. It no use doing analysis on what type of learning your learners prefer and then simply producing the same type of learning content you have always done. With each one of the learning styles is an array of ways on how you then deliver the content for your learners.  This is also the portion where the magic happens for Instructional designers. They have to balance what the message is that needs to be communicated to what the learner wants. The real effort then comes in is making sure that your content (in what ever format) adheres to the majority of learners. This is where it becomes tricky but not undoable. You simply need to work in content that speaks to that
3. The tonality of your content needs to fit your style of learners. Too much emphasis is sometimes put on standardization of content (look and feel) and not much on tonality. WHO is your audience? How do they speak? How do they communicate on a daily basis?
4. Meet the learner with where they are – this strategy has proven for myself to be probably the most effective. You need to know how the learner currently understands the content BEFORE you jump into content. This is also a great icebreaker. Work in activities that unpack what learners know NOW and then show them what they need to know when DONE. This will give them the right framework in which to operate.
5. Mind your manners no matter what type of content you are creating – this is an outflow of the tonality of content. Nothing puts learners more off when you use words like “the users click on..”. Whilst you think of this, a simple please / thank you / calling people by name / listening goes a very long way.
6. Be open for feedback on content / style and adjust accordingly. Listen to what your learners are saying or doing.  Adjust swiftly. If a learner is simply clicking through content (you can in most courses check time to complete a course) or learners seem not interested, address it there and then.
7.  Build in loads of fun and practical activities
8. Keep modules short and crisp and to the point.  No need to drag a topic out.
9.  Provide options for learning. This takes more effort but very worthwhile in the long run. For example, you could run a workshop, offer e-learning, offer podcasts etc. A learner then selects the way they would want to learn even further. In other words, personalize the experience as much as possible.
10. Combine ways to learn or solve problems with the content. For example, teach your learners about “De Bono Six thinking hats” problem-solving skills on addressing the problems in solving your content. That way you are not only equipping them with the outcome of the content but you are teaching them a technique they can apply in other areas.
11. Read and read a lot on what is new and fresh out there, and incorporate this into your learning. 
12. Create the right environment to learn. Is the room conducive to learning? Do employees have a place they can complete E-learning undisturbed?

Hope this has provided you with some ideas – keep on learning!