As the world becomes increasingly digital, eLearning has become an essential part of employee training and development. However, one of the biggest challenges of eLearning is retaining learners' attention and keeping them engaged throughout the learning process. Many learners may struggle to stay focused or motivated, leading to low completion rates and poor learning outcomes.

To combat these challenges, eLearning professionals are turning to interactive and visual content to boost learner engagement and retention. By incorporating interactive elements learners can become more immersed in the learning experience, increasing their motivation and retention of the material.

In this blog, we'll explore different types of interactive and visual content that can be incorporated into your eLearning courses in 2023 and beyond. We'll provide examples and best practices for creating effective and engaging eLearning content.

So let's dive in and explore how to make eLearning more engaging and effective!

1) Interactive videos

Interactive videos are a type of multimedia content that allows learners to interact with the video by answering questions, making decisions, or exploring additional information. 

This type of visual content is especially useful in teaching critical thinking and problem-solving skills and can be used in eLearning to create engaging and immersive learning experiences that increase knowledge retention and improve learner engagement.

You can also use interactive videos to explain complex concepts or processes. For example, in a compliance training course, you can create an interactive video that explains the company's code of conduct. Throughout the video, include interactive elements, such as pop-up boxes or clickable buttons, that provide additional information or examples.

Additionally, you can use interactive videos to create realistic scenarios that learners can navigate through. For example, in a customer service training course, create a scenario where the learner plays the role of a customer service representative and interacts with a difficult customer. The learner can make decisions that affect the outcome of the scenario and receive feedback on their performance.

Other recommended reads: 

Why Video is a Must-Have for Your eLearning Strategy

5 Ways to Make Onboarding Training More Engaging with Video

2) Quizzes and assessments:

Quizzes and assessments are a type of multimedia content that can be used in eLearning to test learner knowledge and assess comprehension. They can take various forms, such as multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, matching exercises, fill-in-the-blank questions, and more.

These interactive resources can be used creatively in eLearning to engage workers and promote a more dynamic learning experience.

Here are some ways that quizzes and assessments can be used to boost learner participation in eLearning:

• Pre-assessments: Use quizzes or assessments at the beginning of a course to gauge learners' existing knowledge and identify any gaps that need to be filled. To make them visually appealing, consider incorporating images or icons to accompany the questions.
• Mid-course assessments: Use quizzes or assessments to reinforce learning and test comprehension midway through a course. To make them visually appealing, consider using graphs or charts to display results and progress.
• Post-course assessments: Use quizzes or assessments at the end of a course to measure the effectiveness of the training and ensure that learners have retained the information. To make them visually appealing, consider using infographics to summarize key takeaways.
• Gamified assessments: Incorporate game elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards to make assessments more engaging and motivating. To make them visually appealing, consider using colorful graphics and animations.
• Interactive scenarios: Use interactive scenarios that simulate real-world situations to test learners' decision-making skills and problem-solving abilities. To make them visually appealing, consider using high-quality images or videos to set the scene.

To make quizzes and assessments highly visual and attractive, consider incorporating the following elements:

• High-quality images, graphics, and videos that enhance the learning experience
• Interactive elements such as drag-and-drop questions or multimedia responses
• Clear and concise instructions that are easy to follow

Also read: 6 Ideas to Assess Your Employees in eLearning Courses

3) Podcasts and Audio

Adding podcasts or audio content to eLearning courses can be an effective way to boost learner engagement and provide learners with a more varied and engaging learning experience. This type of multimedia content can be used to provide quick-to-learn content that learners can listen to while on the go. This can help learners stay engaged with the material even when they're not at the desk. 

Here are some best practices for incorporating podcasts or audio content into eLearning courses:

• Keep it short and focused: Learners have short attention spans, so it's important to keep podcasts or audio content short and focused. Aim for episodes that are no more than 20-30 minutes long and that cover a specific topic or concept in depth.
• Use high-quality audio: Poor audio quality can be distracting and make it difficult for learners to stay engaged with the material. Use high-quality recording equipment and make sure the audio is clear and easy to hear. Include a variety of voices and perspectives: Incorporate a variety of voices and perspectives into the podcast or audio content to keep learners engaged and provide them with a more diverse learning experience.
• Provide transcripts: Some learners may prefer to read along with the audio content or may have hearing impairments that make it difficult for them to listen. Providing transcripts of the audio content can help make the material more accessible and engaging for these learners.
• Make it interactive: Incorporate interactive elements into the podcast or audio content to keep learners engaged and encourage them to reflect on and apply the material they are learning. For example, you could include reflection questions or pause the podcast at certain points to encourage learners to think more deeply about the material.

4) Screen Captures and Screencasts

These are the best visual tools to explain technological processes. eLearning courses that teach how to navigate a new program or how to use an application use screencasts extensively. It makes perfect sense because the learners actually get to see and work in a simulated version of the real environment that they would perform in when they go back to their desks.

Here are some details on how these techniques can be used effectively in eLearning courses:

• Screenshots: Screenshots can be used to visually illustrate concepts and provide learners with a visual representation of the content they are learning. Screenshots can be used to highlight important information or demonstrate how to perform a specific task.
• Screencasts: Screencasts involve recording a video of your computer screen while you perform a specific task or demonstrate a concept. Screencasts can be used to show learners how to use software or complete a task step-by-step, providing them with a visual and interactive learning experience. 

Here are some best practices for incorporating screenshots and screencasts into eLearning courses:

• Use high-quality visuals: Ensure that your screenshots and screencasts are of high quality and clearly illustrate the concept or task you are demonstrating. Use annotations or callouts to draw attention to important information.
• Keep it short and focused: Similar to podcasts or audio content, it's important to keep your screenshots and screencasts short and focused. Break up longer modules into shorter segments and focus on one specific concept or task at a time.
• Provide clear narration: If you are using a screencast, provide clear and concise narration to guide learners through the process. Use a conversational tone and avoid using overly technical language.
• Incorporate interactivity: To keep learners engaged, incorporate interactive elements into your screenshots and screencasts. For example, you could include quizzes or reflection questions to encourage learners to reflect on and apply the material they are learning.

Some tools you can use: 

• Loom
• Jing® is a nifty screen capture tool you can use. 
• Skitch (owned by Evernote)

5) Characters and/or Avatars

We are social animals. We relate to other human beings and are influenced by their opinions and suggestions. In fact, we relate more to "faces" than to "voices" that we consider impersonal and unfriendly. That is why using characters in your eLearning courses can create more impact than a chunk of text that seems to be broadcasted at all and sundry by just another brand eager to thrusts its goods down your throat. What is more, using characters in your eLearning courses gives learners that familiar sense of being instructed by a teacher or a mentor, as they had been back in school. It also gives your audience something to visualize and hold onto in the sea of new information they are being immersed in.

Here are some tips on how to use avatars effectively in eLearning:

• Personalized characters: One of the key benefits of using avatars is that they can be customized to reflect the learner's preferences or learning style. Allow learners to personalize their avatars by choosing their appearance, clothing, or accessories. This will help to create a more personalized and engaging learning experience.
• Use avatars as guides: Avatars can be used as guides to help learners navigate through the course. For example, the avatar could introduce new modules or provide tips on how to complete certain tasks. By using avatars as guides, learners will feel more connected to the course and will be more likely to engage with the material.
• Incorporate storytelling: Avatars can be used to tell stories that relate to the course material. This can help to create a more engaging and memorable learning experience. For example, the avatar could tell a story about how they solved a problem in the workplace, and then ask learners to apply those same principles to a similar scenario.
• Provide feedback: Avatars can be used to provide feedback on learners' progress throughout the course. For example, the avatar could congratulate learners when they complete a module or provide tips on how to improve their performance. By providing feedback, learners will feel more supported and motivated to continue learning.

6) Animated GIFs

Animated GIFs are not just for websites or to send funny cat videos in emails. They have an important place in your eLearning visual toolkit as well as they are easy-to-consume and can easily break up the monotony of text-heavy content. In fact, they usually create more impact than photographs because they contain action. And humans love action! 

Here are some best practices for using GIFs effectively in eLearning:

• Add visual interest: GIFs can add visual interest to otherwise dry or text-heavy content. For example, a GIF can be used to illustrate a complex process, such as a workflow or a chemical reaction. This can help learners to better understand the material and remember it more easily.
• Break up content: GIFs can be used to break up long sections of text or to introduce a new topic. By using GIFs to create a visual break between topics, learners are more likely to stay engaged and retain information.
• Add humor: GIFs can be used to add humor or levity to the course. This can help learners to relax and feel more engaged with the material. However, it's important to use humor appropriately and avoid any content that could be seen as offensive or inappropriate.
• Reinforce key concepts: GIFs can also be used to reinforce key concepts or ideas. For example, a GIF can be used to illustrate a key point in a lecture or to show a step in a process. By reinforcing key concepts, learners are more likely to remember and apply the material.

7) Gamification 

You have a large visual eLearning toolkit to pack a punch in your courses. Make sure that you use the tools appropriately and with restraint and empathy to impress your audience. But don't let your creativity be stifled either. We all want to have fun, and your corporate adult learner, bored with dull presentations and mountains of statistics, craves it.