SHIFT's eLearning Blog

Our blog provides the best practices, tips, and inspiration for corporate training, instructional design, eLearning and mLearning.

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    Interactivity in eLearning: Finding the Sweet Spot with 4 Key Questions

    Let's talk about interactivity. What is it, really? We all have an idea of what it means, but putting it into words is no easy feat, right? From an academic standpoint, interactivity is defined as "a mutual action between a learner, learning system, and material". Makes sense, doesn't it? It's been proven time and time again that interactivity has a strong, positive impact on learning (Bosco 1986; Fletcher 1989; 1990; Stanford; 1990). In fact, one study by Bosco (1986) reviewed 75 studies and found that interactive media not only helped people learn faster but also improved their attitude toward learning. So, you might then think, that more interactivity must be better, right? Well, not necessarily. There's a fine line between a richly interactive eLearning course and one that overwhelms learners with endless hurdles and challenges. Just like chocolate, wine, and Netflix series, interactivity is best enjoyed in moderation.

    The eLearning Course Creation Guide: What NOT to Do

    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!

    Types of Interactive Content Proven to Boost Learner Engagement

    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!

    How to Create an eLearning Course in 12 Steps

    Looking at all the things that are involved in creating an eLearning course could make you feel like your first step should be to “Give Up.” However, with these 12 steps, we break down the process into manageable chunks, which is a big part of what makes for a killer eLearning course design. Sounds good, right? Read through these steps, and soon you’ll have a good handle on what is needed and where to start to create your first eLearning courses.

    Hold the Authoring Tool: 5 Things To Do Before Designing an eLearning Course

    When you go into a funhouse or corn maze, there are literally dozens of paths that you can try to take. What strategy do you take when trying to complete the course? Do you run as fast as possible, not caring how many wrong turns or dead ends you take? Do you develop a strategy and create markers for yourself, so you don’t backtrack? Do you set markers and have an idea of how far you have gone? These are all different choices that you make. Similar choices can be made when it comes to authoring an eLearning course. It can be overwhelming to actually sit down and create the course. However, there are tried and true steps to take before firing up that authoring tool and start designing an eLearning course.

    Breathe New Life into Your eLearning Courses: 5 Helpful Mantras to Live By

    At the beginning of their journey, eLearning and online training professionals need to find the “secret sauce” for what works best with learners. The following five helpful mantras provide refreshing ideas for creating eLearning courses that go beyond the conventional approach.

    4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Creating Your Next eLearning Course

    As an instructional designer, your primary goal is to develop effective eLearning courses. You should address the objectives for each lesson, use the correct instructional method to meet the needs of the learners, and ensure the content and all its related activities are meaningful and relevant. After all, adult learners are not interested in completing "busy work" with no real-world application toward achieving their academic goals.

    The Anatomy of a Modern eLearning Course

    Workplace learning used to be different. In the last decades, learning was considered just an event. People studied four-year careers only, pursued a job for life, and then retired. But times have changed—and today’s employees no longer see learning as a one-stop shop for a job. Lifelong Learning is now more important than ever. And that’s more true for Millennials and Gen Z workers than just about any other group. These are the modern learners who are vastly different temperamentally, attitudinally, and psychologically than their predecessors, the Baby Boomers.

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