Are you planning to create an eLearning course but don't know where to start? While there are many resources out there that tell you what to do, it's just as important to know what NOT to do.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the common mistakes to avoid when creating your eLearning course. From overwhelming your learners with too much information to neglecting to test your course before launching it, we've got you covered. So let's dive in and ensure your eLearning course is a success!
One of the critical mistakes to avoid when creating an eLearning course is playing background music during instruction. Even if the volume is low, it can significantly impact learners' ability to absorb and retain information.
Research suggests that cognitive load, which refers to the amount of information that the brain can process at any given time, is limited. Working memory, which stores information in the short term, is also limited in capacity and holding time. Adding background music creates noise that competes for learners' attention, making it harder for them to focus on the course content.
To design effective eLearning courses, it is essential to consider how our mental processes operate and create courses that align with them. John Sweller, an expert on memory and learning, emphasizes the importance of course design that promotes effective learning in the current organizational environment, where learners need to learn quickly.
Instead of playing background music during an eLearning course, you can use sound and audio to enhance the learning experience in other ways. Here are some tips:
Most of us have had the grade-school experience of being too far ahead or too far behind in a certain class. Either we end up bored to tears and unable to pay attention or confused and struggling. The art of moving the class along at the right speed is called “pacing.” When our grade-school teachers did it well, we probably didn’t even notice, so it can be hard to understand as an educator how to handle this important aspect of eLearning design.
If the pace is too fast, most learners will probably get left behind. If the pace is too slow, quicker learners can get bored and disengage. The best way to pace an eLearning course, since an instructor cannot respond directly to student needs, is to let the learner control the speed.
Here are some ideas for implementing user-controlled pacing in your eLearning course using sound and audio:
A. Setting up modules.
When it comes to audio, consider providing transcripts or closed captions for any audio or video content. This can help learners who may have difficulty understanding accents or processing audio information. Additionally, splitting the audio content into shorter, digestible modules can make it easier for learners to control their pace and review the material as needed.
B. Give students options.
Provide learners with a variety of audio resources such as podcasts or interviews with subject matter experts. This can help them hear the material from different perspectives and reinforce their understanding of the topic.
C. Allow students to teach each other.
In a forum or group chat, learners who are struggling can ask quicker learners for help in understanding the audio material. This can create a collaborative learning environment and encourage active engagement with the content.
Color can have a surprisingly significant impact on how your workers perceive your course and its materials. While you may need to adhere to a specific color scheme for branding purposes, it's crucial to consider how color affects the tone of your course, as well as practicalities like readability.
Your course should include the right combinations of colors because the brain is naturally attracted to visually interesting materials, which makes information easier to remember. However, colors that are too bright can seem childish, while colors that are too dull can be dull. When working on the visual aspects of your course, refer to the color wheel and learn how to apply its information effectively.
Above all, choose a color scheme that makes your written material easy to read. Don't overlook the contrast between the text, word art, imagery, and background color. If legibility is compromised by a lack of harmony between the background and the presentation materials, the eLearning opportunity will fail. By ensuring that your audience can read the text over the background and understand the content through the visual source, you will provide a successful eLearning opportunity.
Read more:
Avoid overwhelming learners with too much information in your eLearning course. While it may be tempting to include everything that could be useful, too much content can make it difficult for learners to absorb and apply what they've learned. Instead, aim for fewer than five specific learning outcomes and keep lessons no longer than 20 minutes, with an absolute maximum of 40 minutes. Be clear about what you expect learners to be able to do after completing the course.
What mistakes have you caught yourself making during eLearning course design? Share your experiences with your fellow readers in the comments below!