Most Important Techniques for Successful eLearning Programs

In this article, we look at today’s most effective techniques for creating successful elearning programs. Elearning has become increasingly important in corporate America, especially in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of elearning, as many companies have had to shift to remote work and virtual training. Elearning offers several benefits to corporations, including:

• Scalability: Elearning allows companies to provide training to a large number of employees at once, regardless of their location. This can be more cost-effective and efficient than traditional in-person training.
• Flexibility: Elearning allows employees to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule, which can be particularly beneficial for those with busy or unpredictable work schedules.
• Cost savings: Elearning can be more cost-effective than traditional in-person training, as it eliminates the need for travel, accommodations, and other associated costs.
• Data tracking and analysis: Elearning platforms often provide data tracking and analysis tools, which can help companies measure the effectiveness of their training programs and identify areas for improvement.

Overall, elearning has become a critical component of corporate training and development programs in America. As the workplace continues to evolve, it is likely that elearning will continue to play an important role in helping companies develop their workforce and stay competitive.

Corporations are investing more in eLearning as a cost-effective and scalable way to provide training and development opportunities to their employees. The amount that corporations spend on eLearning can vary depending on a number of factors, such as company size, industry, and the specific training needs of the organization.

According to a report by Technavio, the global corporate eLearning market is expected to grow by over $38 billion between 2021 and 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of over 13%. The COVID-19 pandemic has also accelerated the adoption of eLearning by corporations, as remote work and virtual training have become more common.

In a survey of 500 organizations conducted by eLearning Industry, it was found that the average amount spent on eLearning per employee per year was $1,059, with the median spending at $300. Another report by Training Industry estimates that corporations in the US spend an average of $1,299 per employee per year on training and development, which includes e-learning as well as other forms of training. However, larger organizations with more than 10,000 employees spent an average of $13 million on eLearning per year.

Overall, corporations are recognizing the benefits of eLearning, including cost savings, scalability, and flexibility, and are investing accordingly in this area.

Techniques for Effective eLearning

There are several techniques that can help create effective online training for adults. The Elevated Program utilizes many of them throughout the curriculum as well as in the on-off titles. Here are some of the most important techniques:

Set clear learning objectives: Adults need to know what they will learn and how it will benefit them. By setting clear learning objectives, you can help them understand what they are expected to achieve through the training.

Use a variety of learning activities: Adults learn in different ways, so it’s important to use a variety of learning activities, such as videos, case studies, quizzes, and interactive exercises. This can help keep learners engaged and interested.

Use real-life scenarios: Using real-life scenarios can help adults understand how the concepts they are learning can be applied in real-world situations. This can help them see the relevance of what they are learning and make the training more meaningful.

Chunk information into manageable pieces: Adults can become overwhelmed if presented with too much information at once. By breaking information into smaller, manageable pieces, you can help them retain more information and avoid cognitive overload.

Use visuals to enhance learning: Adults respond well to visuals such as charts, graphs, and diagrams. They can help make complex information more accessible and easier to understand.

Provide opportunities for practice and feedback: Adults learn best by doing, so it’s important to provide opportunities for them to practice what they have learned and receive feedback. This can help them apply what they have learned and improve their skills.

Provide opportunities for collaboration: Adults can learn from each other, so providing opportunities for collaboration, such as discussion forums, can enhance the learning experience and promote engagement.

The Top Trends in eLearning

Here are some of the top trends in eLearning:

Personalization: Personalized learning experiences are becoming increasingly popular, with eLearning platforms using data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to tailor content to individual learners’ needs.

Mobile learning: With the rise of mobile devices, there is a growing demand for mobile-friendly eLearning content that can be accessed anytime, anywhere.

Microlearning: As mentioned earlier, microlearning is a trend that involves delivering small, bite-sized pieces of content that learners can easily consume and apply.

Gamification: Gamification is the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, such as eLearning. This approach can make learning more engaging and enjoyable, while also increasing motivation and participation.

Virtual and augmented reality: Virtual and augmented reality technologies are increasingly being used in eLearning to create immersive and interactive learning experiences that can simulate real-world situations.

Social learning: Social learning involves using social media platforms, discussion forums, and other social tools to facilitate collaborative learning and knowledge sharing.

Artificial intelligence (AI): AI is being used in eLearning to automate certain tasks, such as grading and assessment, as well as to personalize learning experiences and provide more targeted feedback.

These trends are all aimed at making eLearning more engaging, effective, and accessible for learners of all types. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see new and innovative approaches to eLearning emerge in the future.

About Microlearning

Microlearning is an approach to learning that involves breaking down information into small, easily digestible chunks. This approach focuses on delivering brief, targeted content that can be quickly consumed and applied. Microlearning typically involves short-form content, such as videos, infographics, quizzes, or mini-courses, that can be completed in a few minutes or less.

Microlearning is designed to be flexible, allowing learners to access training on-demand, as needed. It can be used to provide just-in-time training, or as part of a larger learning program. Because microlearning is focused on delivering small, specific pieces of content, it can be more effective in helping learners retain information and apply it in real-world situations.

Microlearning can be used in a variety of settings, including corporate training, employee development, and educational settings. It is often used in situations where time and attention are limited, such as in busy workplaces or for learners with busy schedules.

The Forgetting Curve

The forgetting curve is a term coined by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus in the late 19th century to describe the rate at which we forget newly acquired information over time. The forgetting curve describes how much we forget as a function of time elapsed since learning the material.

Ebbinghaus discovered that without any reinforcement or review, we forget approximately 50% of what we have learned within the first hour of learning, and around 70% within the first 24 hours. The curve then levels off, but we continue to forget information over time.

The forgetting curve has important implications for educators and trainers, who must consider the effects of time on retention when designing learning experiences. Strategies such as spaced repetition, which involve reviewing material at gradually increasing intervals, can help counteract the effects of the forgetting curve and improve long-term retention.

How to Best Retain New Information

Here are some techniques that can be helpful for retaining new information:

Spaced Repetition: Reviewing information at gradually increasing intervals can help reinforce learning and improve retention. This technique involves reviewing material at specific intervals over time to help solidify the information in memory.

Active Learning: Actively engaging with new information can help improve retention. Techniques such as taking notes, summarizing information in your own words, and creating mind maps or other visual aids can help reinforce learning.

Visualization: Creating mental images or visual representations of new information can be a helpful technique for retention. This can include drawing diagrams, creating visual associations, or using mnemonic devices to help connect new information with existing knowledge.

Practice and Application: Practicing newly learned skills or applying new knowledge to real-world situations can help improve retention. This can involve exercises, assignments, or real-world projects that require learners to apply what they have learned in a practical way.

Multisensory Learning: Engaging multiple senses can help improve retention. Incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements into learning experiences can help reinforce learning and improve memory.

Chunking: Breaking down new information into smaller, more manageable pieces can help improve retention. This involves grouping related concepts together and organizing information in a way that makes sense to the learner.

Sleep: Getting enough sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. Research has shown that sleep plays a critical role in consolidating new memories and improving retention.

These techniques can be used individually or in combination to help improve retention and ensure that new information is effectively learned and retained over time. The Elevated Program utilizes many of these techniques to improve learning effectiveness and retention.

About Course Duration

The ideal duration for an effective e-learning class for adults can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the complexity of the subject matter, the intended learning outcomes, and the learners’ attention span and level of engagement.

In general, studies suggest that adults tend to have a shorter attention span compared to children, with an average attention span of around 20-30 minutes. However, this can vary based on the individual and the context of the learning environment.

As a general guideline, e-learning classes for adults should be designed to be modular and broken down into shorter sessions of 20-30 minutes each, with breaks in between to allow learners to rest and process the information. This can help to maintain learners’ engagement and retention of the material.

Ultimately, the ideal duration for an effective e-learning class for adults will depend on the specific learning objectives and the needs of the target audience, and it may require experimentation and evaluation to find the optimal duration.

Key Takeaways

The references provided offer a wealth of information related to e-learning best practices, instructional design, and technology for learning. Some of the most important concepts and takeaways from these references include:

• Designing e-learning courses with the learner in mind, including considering their needs, preferences, and motivations.
• Incorporating a variety of instructional strategies and techniques to enhance engagement and learning, such as scenario-based learning, gamification, and microlearning.
• Ensuring that e-learning courses are accessible and inclusive, considering factors such as disability, cultural background, and language proficiency.
• Selecting the appropriate technologies and tools for creating and delivering e-learning courses, such as learning management systems, authoring tools, and multimedia.
• Conducting ongoing evaluation and assessment of e-learning courses to measure their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Overall, the most important concept is that e-learning should be designed with a focus on the learner and should utilize a variety of instructional strategies and technologies to enhance engagement and learning. Ongoing evaluation and assessment are also important to ensure that e-learning courses are effective and meeting the needs of learners.

Important Resources for Further Information

Here are some important references for e-learning best practices:

The eLearning Guild: This organization provides resources, research, and online events related to e-learning best practices. Their website offers a wealth of information, including articles, webinars, and research reports. You can find their website here: https://www.elearningguild.com/

Association for Talent Development (ATD): This organization offers a wide range of resources and events related to talent development, including e-learning best practices. They have a dedicated e-learning community of practice, which offers webinars, articles, and other resources. You can find their website here: https://www.td.org/

eLearning Industry: This website offers a wide range of resources related to e-learning best practices, including articles, webinars, and research reports. They also offer a directory of e-learning vendors and consultants. You can find their website here: https://elearningindustry.com/

Learning Solutions Magazine: This magazine offers articles and resources related to e-learning best practices, instructional design, and technology for learning. They also offer webinars and events. You can find their website here: https://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/

Instructional Design Central: This website offers resources and articles related to instructional design and e-learning best practices. They also offer a directory of instructional design consultants and resources. You can find their website here: https://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/

Technavio report on Global Corporate E-learning Market 2020-2024: https://www.technavio.com/report/global-corporate-e-learning-market-industry-analysis

Training Industry report on US training expenditures: https://trainingindustry.com/training-outsourcing/articles/training-outsourcing-magazine/2019-training-industry-report-us-training-expenditures/