An effective student training program should be developed using a systematic, step-by-step approach. Standalone training sessions (one-off events) frequently fail to meet organizational goals and participant expectations. With today’s increasingly hybrid learning environment, efficient, ongoing training that can also be delivered online and in person is paramount. Here are five steps to designing a course to keep your students motivated and engaged.
Utilize Multiple Methods to Present Instructions
Remember that your learners won’t have an instructor to offer additional explanations. Therefore, be extremely clear when giving instructions. More detailed instructions are better than vague ones. Be as specific as possible, and remember that people learn differently. Consider providing audio instructions along with written instructions. Offer clear examples of what you want learners to do.
Always use plain language to ensure clarity. Your learners should not spend too much time deciphering the assignment. Ideally, your instructions should be so straightforward that learners understand them immediately without needing to re-read them multiple times.
Tailor Learning Experiences
While personalizing eLearning can be challenging, there are effective strategies to achieve it. One method is addressing your learner directly by using the pronoun “you” throughout your presentation. Always empathize with your learners by considering their perspective. Incorporate relevant real-life examples and stories into your course to make the content relatable.
Your objective is to create a comfortable environment where learners connect with the material. Platforms like Teach ‘n Go offer intuitive school management system tools that allow you to personalize your student’s learning journeys easily.
Feedback
We all recognize that feedback is essential for learning. Even children in school understand their achievements and shortcomings through test scores and report cards. While adults don’t need grades to stay motivated, they do require constant, clear, and immediate feedback.
Providing truly valuable feedback in an eLearning format can be challenging, but effective methods are available. For instance, instructional designers can incorporate short quizzes or “test your knowledge” activities after each segment or objective.
These knowledge checks can be presented as questions, games, or simulations. Additionally, you might consider structuring your game into levels, allowing learners to engage at the appropriate level.
Convey Your Expectations and Objectives
We perform better when we clearly understand what is expected of us. Expectations provide a benchmark to assess our performance, and clear objectives guide us in the right direction. When adults are uncertain about the purpose of learning a skill, they are likely to give up, viewing the training as a waste of time.
Course expectations don’t always need to be listed as bullet points; instructional designers could use motivational videos, stories, or images to illustrate real-world benefits. Throughout the course, continually remind learners of their goals and objectives. Knowing the goal and its significance boosts motivation and encourages success.
Prevent Cognitive Overload
Segment your course into as many parts as possible. Presenting too much information simultaneously can overwhelm learners and reduce retention. To enhance retention, deliver the content in smaller, manageable segments.
In eLearning courses, learners can revisit sections they missed or need more time to understand. Even if your course is concise, don’t assume learners will remember all the material. Whenever feasible, provide a downloadable reference guide with all the essential information from the lesson.
Endnote
Motivation is crucial for successful eLearning experiences. Although motivating adult learners can be challenging, implementing the strategies mentioned above will enhance learner engagement and retention.
