e-LEARNING EXAMPLES TO AVOID
August 20, 2014
In previous posts, I have listed the salient features that are found within effective e-Learning designs. I have, also, emphasized learner-control and increased retention as two important goals of properly designed e-Learning.
Today, however, I’m going to reverse that story. I’m going to list the more important elements you should avoid when buying or producing e-Learning. The following items are some of the “no-no’s” — if you are committed to improved on-the-job performance and retention. And unfortunately, far too many (if not most) of today’s current e-Learning offerings contain one, or several, of these to-be-avoided properties.
1) Page-turning programs are the ultimate killer. If people want to learn by reading, a book is a far better way to go. Page-turning e-Learning courses are boring — which is why more than 60% of learners never complete such programs. Plus, 40% of our nation’s workforce does not comprehend anything written above a 4th grade reading level. Repurposed written procedures and adapted PowerPoint presentations lead the list of ineffectual e-Learning.
2) A linear instructional design will also lead your learners into boredom and their resultant “waste of time” conclusions. Effective e-Learning includes instructional branching as well as robust navigational controls for the user.
3) Partial, paraphrased, or no audio will eliminate close to half of the learners assigned to an e-Learning course. As we’ve seen “Optional Word-for-Word Audio” is the only way to include everyone, be they the fluent or the less-fluent readers.
4) An unfriendly user interface will turn off your learners — another big reason why more than 60% of students fail to finish such a poorly designed course. Rather, you should require a knowledgeably designed “home screen” that will allow the learner to access any feature with a single click.
There you have it! It is just as important to recognize what constitutes the e-Learning courses you should neither build nor buy as it is to know the characteristics of e-Learning courses that actually make solid contributions to learning and retention.
You are being tasked by your organization to improve corporate performance. Training can be a big contributor. But — only if you bring the solutions that will positively impact productivity. E-Learning can be one of your answers but, it can also be counterproductive if you can’t recognize the examples to avoid.
More on Monday – – – – –
— Bill Walton, co-Founder, ITC Learning
www.itclearning.com/blog/ (Mondays & Wednesdays)
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