A few of the things that online learners like about e-learning courses is the flexibility and convenience they offer – learners decide when they study and they don’t have to sacrifice work or family time in order to register for the course they want or need to take. Also, online courses are considerably more affordable since they require lower fees and there are no transportation costs or allowance needed.
However, there are a few disadvantages to taking online courses. For one, it can be quite challenging to stay motivated and focused since there is no actual teacher or instructor to call the learners attention whenever their minds start to wander.
This is where engagement enters the picture. Engagement is necessary in keeping learners interested and focused on the course modules by adding elements that entertain or amuse them. This is the key ingredient of successful online courses that effectively drives their learners towards completing the e-learning course. Here are five ways to ensure that learners are constantly engaged:
Offer Relevant Content
Provide a clear description in each section’s headings and subheadings so learners know what to expect. It can get very easy for a student to lose interest if they see that the modules do not contain the information that is promised in the section details. Also, learners have signed up for a course because they want to acquire knowledge and skills that they can apply in real life, so make sure that the course content should also be relevant, up-to-date, and practical.
Keep Content Organized
The course should be laid out in a manner that will make it easy for the learners to see what they are looking for. Tabs should be organized and the dashboard should be free from unnecessary clutter. This way, online learners are focused on what they need to do instead of getting distracted by other things that they see along the way.
Present Content in Chunks
Refrain from providing too much content in the modules or sections, this will only lead to cognitive overload. Instead, cut content into smaller, easier to digest chunks. This way, when you teach online to learners, they are better able to understand and remember the lessons when they take the assessment tests at the end of the module.
Add Interactive Features
Adding interactive features in the creation of an e-learning platform is another great way to keep learners engaged. One way to do this is by adding pop up questions in the presentations. This keeps them attentive while watching instead of spacing out.
Mobile Friendly Format
Today’s learners are very mobile and they would prefer to take advantage of every free time they have. This is why it just makes sense to present the online course in a format that allows the learners to access their online course wherever they are. Choose an LMS that allows the online course to be accessed in different devices.
These five practical tips can help online course developers to create a more effective e-learning experience for online learners that will keep them engaged and motivate them to successfully complete their course.
Michelle Gonzalez has been writing for SMEs across the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK for the last five years. She is a highly-experienced blogger and SEO copywriter, writing business blogs for various industries such as marketing, law, health and wellness, beauty, and education, particularly on e-learning platforms such as www.teachable.com.
