The Art of Designing Engaging Custom eLearning Modules Using Varied Interactivities

Introduction

Custom eLearning courses offer a spectrum of strategies to enhance learner engagement and effectiveness, with active learning standing out as a particularly impactful approach. By weaving a variety of interactive elements into the fabric of course design, these courses keep learners actively engaged, ensuring they remain hooked to the content throughout their learning journey. In this blog, we will delve into how these interactive strategies not only maintain learner interest but also significantly improve retention and application of knowledge. This exploration will highlight the transformative potential of active learning in custom eLearning courses, demonstrating its benefits and effectiveness in real-world applications.

Various Methods of Engagement

In our previous blogs, we've explored how techniques such as storytelling, scenarios, gamification, evidence-based methods, and interactive Q&A sessions effectively capture learner attention. Unlike the traditional "click-and-learn" eLearning courses, which often fail to engage and are completed out of obligation rather than interest, these strategies foster deeper engagement. A dynamic way to maintain this engagement is through interactivities that incorporate questions and require learners to perform actions that propel them forward in the course. Let's delve into some of the engaging interactivities that enhance learning by promoting active participation.

5 Interesting Interactivities

1. Myths and Facts

Challenging learners to discern between myths and facts is a compelling way to engage them. Every subject has its common misconceptions, and addressing these can activate critical thinking. For instance, starting a course on "Road Safety" with myths and facts encourages learners to question their assumptions about driving habits, accident statistics, and safe driving practices. This interactivity not only grabs attention but also deepens understanding of the topic.

2. Rhetorical Questions

Utilizing rhetorical questions such as "Agree or Disagree?" or "What do you think?" prompts learners to reflect on the subject matter actively. This technique, borrowed from traditional classroom settings, serves to re-engage learners who might be drifting into passivity. In a digital context, these questions help stimulate mental engagement and make the learning experience more interactive.

3. Mini-cases with Follow-up Questions

Incorporating mini-cases that narrate the story of a product or an event—be it successful or a failure—followed by targeted questions, effectively conveys complex information. For example, discussing a recalled drug or a safety issue with automobile tires can make the content more relatable and memorable. This strategy not only enhances understanding but also keeps engagement high by adding an element of real-world relevance.

4. Checklist

A checklist activity, unlike the pressure-driven multiple-choice questions, offers a relaxed environment where learners evaluate situations without the fear of right or wrong answers. For example, in a nutrition course, presenting statements about adult eating habits can help learners assess their own knowledge and misconceptions, providing valuable insights into their learning process through diagnostic feedback.

5. Picture Comparison

Picture comparisons are an effective way to engage learners by asking them to identify the correct or more effective option between two visuals. This approach is particularly beneficial when teaching processes or procedures. Instead of passively viewing steps, learners actively participate by making choices, thereby enhancing their engagement and understanding through interactive learning.

Case Studies

1. Drug Discovery

A pharmaceutical company aimed to deepen inductees' understanding of the drug discovery process. To achieve this, we developed an eLearning course enriched with engaging interactivities, including mini-cases followed by questions and decision trees designed to prompt correct responses and enhance learning. These interactive elements helped learners make informed decisions and significantly improved their grasp of complex concepts involved in drug discovery.

2. Banking Products

A financial institution sought to increase course completion rates and enhance the practical application of knowledge among its staff. We crafted a custom eLearning course featuring a range of interactivities, notably scenarios followed by problem-solving questions. This approach not only made the course more engaging but also helped achieve the customer's training objectives, with participants reporting a greater ability to apply what they learned in real-world situations.

Conclusion

Custom eLearning courses that leverage varied interactivities offer a compelling solution to the challenges of modern professional training. These courses do not merely convey information but ensure that learning is deeply integrated into the practical day-to-day tasks of the workforce. Through the strategic use of interactivities, organizations can transform their training processes, leading to enhanced learner engagement, better knowledge retention, and ultimately, improved performance and productivity.

At Tesseract Learning, our commitment to pioneering learning solutions equips businesses with the tools necessary to thrive in a competitive marketplace. Our learning architects and visual architects continuously innovate and reinvent their approaches to design, develop, and deliver better learning experiences.

To know more about our services and how we can be of help to you, contact us or write to us at <suresh@tesseractlearning.com>