10 fantastic e-learning tips!

Before we get ahead of ourselves: what is e-learning exactly?

Creating e-learning (electronic learning) involves acquiring knowledge electronically, specifically through a computer, tablet, or phone. Besides the fact that online learning takes 40 - 60% less time, it also increases retention rates by 25 - 60%. Among other things, this means an employee becomes about 26% more productive. Wow!

Tips for creating e-learning

Always wanted to create an e-learning course, but have no idea where to start? No worries! This article will help you set up your e-learning.

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With the 10 tips for creating e-learning below, you can be sure your e-learning will be a success!

Tip 1. Designing e-learning; start with the learning objectives

It is wise to think about what you want to achieve with your e-learning while you are creating it. Consider what your students need to know by the end of the training. So, think about the learning objectives of your e-learning

You can do this by using a structure. First, write down everything a student needs to be able to do after completing your online training. Make this as concrete as possible, such as "being able to write a cover letter" or "understanding the basics of SEO." You can view these as learning objectives.

Next, write down all the steps someone needs to take to reach those learning objectives. Try to describe the path as logically as possible. These are your sub-goals.

Then, divide the steps into sections. Sections make following your course material clearer for students because you bundle related topics together. A section could be, for example, 'the cover letter'. You will then break these sections down into lessons, which contain the actual content of your training.

Fill the sections with lessons. In the example, this would be 'structuring the letter' and 'having your cover letter proofread', both of which belong to the 'the cover letter' section. Finally, put the sections in a logical order.

More tips for setting up your e-learning? Download our free e-book 'E-learning Essentials'

Tip 2. Choose suitable e-learning software

This might sound a bit biased, but it is essential to choose the right tool for your e-learning.

It needs to be a tool that fits your online training. User-friendliness is also a point to consider. You don't want to spend hours figuring out a tool: you want to be able to start putting your training together immediately. The e-book also contains a complete step-by-step plan to help you find a suitable e-learning tool.

‍Tip: Choose e-learning software in combination with an authoring tool. This way, you can both create your online training and analyze student results in one place!

Use Pluvo to create fantastic e-learning courses - start for free! With Pluvo, you can easily build your own academy.

Tip 3. Better readability

With online training, distraction is always lurking. Facebook and LinkedIn are just a click away. You want your students to keep their focus on your training. Improving the readability of your training helps with this. There are tricks for this, which we describe in detail in our blog post about writing web copy.

Examples of tricks for better readability:

• Use short sentences. They are much easier to read, and they help your students stay focused on the training.
• Limit technical jargon. Words you use daily in your work might be unfamiliar to your students. If you really want to use them, explain these terms the first time they appear.‍
• Use headings. Break your training into short paragraphs so they are easier to read through. Just make sure to use clear headings above the paragraphs.

Tip 4. Microlearning = awesome

Microlearning means breaking your training down into small, bite-sized chunks. This is easier to learn from than one long online course. Think of Duolingo, for example. Here, you can learn new words and grammar, broken down into small "bites." Microlearning also encourages your students to complete your training.

When your student has completed a part of the course, they often feel motivated to continue. This is in contrast to a long course where you might lose the desire to keep reading halfway through the material.

Tip 5. Be a content king or queen

Vary the types of content in your e-learning to keep it interesting. For example, record a video or add one from YouTube. Link to an interesting infographic or news article. Add photos. Or a quiz. The possibilities are endless.

Podcasts are also very trendy these days and are being used more and more in e-learning.

Tip 6. A unique learning path for everyone

One of the advantages of providing online training is that you can offer each participant their own learning path. This makes it very easy to respond to your students' needs. If a student doesn't understand something, you can offer them additional content.

The reverse works too: if your student finds a part of your online course very easy, you can provide them with more in-depth material. This is how you boost your participants' results!

Tip 7. Repetition, repetition, repetition

Teachers who used to say that repetition was necessary for learning were secretly right. It is scientifically proven that not repeating study material leads to forgetting. If your student reads something today and you don't repeat it, 80% to 90% will be forgotten within a week.

So, make sure to include plenty of repetition in your e-learning. Think of summaries, quizzes, and tests.

Tip 8. Spark a sense of community

Most people are social creatures, but e-learning is primarily focused on the individual. Still, you can foster a sense of community. For example, have your students work on an assignment together. Besides being a nice change of pace, it also motivates your participants to finish your course. In the Pluvo chat, students can easily discuss assignments. This way, meeting in "real life" isn't even necessary.

Want to learn how to create an e-learning step by step? Download our free 'E-learning Essentials'

Tip 9. Time for a test

The beauty of creating an online course is that you can test knowledge immediately. This also helps your students remember the material (remember, repetition wins!). Repeat the learned material at the end of a chapter with a practice test and conclude a module with a final exam. That way, they will never forget your content!

Tip 10. Don't be too serious

It is perfectly fine to crack a joke during your training every now and then. Laughter relaxes the body, and a relaxed body is more receptive to new ideas. This helps your trainees stay focused for longer!

Create e-learning for free

Now you know how to create a successful e-learning course. What are you waiting for?

Start creating your e-learning in free for Pluvo today!