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When an organization decides to replace or supplement traditional learning activities with e-learning, there are a number of steps it must take to: how to implement e-learning effectively.
One of those steps is to investigate the existing resistance among employees.
As with any change or innovation, there is often a fear of the unknown.
In addition, there are sometimes persistent biases based on outdated or missing knowledge.
One persistent prejudice about e-learning is that it is an impersonal way of learning.
Admittedly, in the past, it was also this.
The student read the information online, completed the assignment associated with the module, submitted it and waited for an opinion from the lecturer. There was little or no interim contact with fellow students or the lecturer.
However, research has shown, when students experience connection with others and the teacher during the e-learning process, this contributes to intrinsic motivation.
The higher the intrinsic motivation, the more positive the learning outcome ultimately is.
Due to the enormous advancement in technological possibilities, there are now many more options for making e-learning personal and interactive.
In this blog, we therefore discuss five ways to make e-learning more personal.
Everyone learns differently.
Some students like to curl up on the couch with a thick book full of study material, while another student may prefer to listen to the audio version of the course material in the car or bus.
Some students like to make their own summaries of the subject matter, others prefer to be provided with them.
Some like to read a step-by-step plan in a book, others prefer to see the steps presented in a video.
Universal Design for Learning promotes “multiple means of engagement” where students are triggered to learn in a way that suits them and that matches their experiences.
In addition, it is important to present the learning material in different ways, so that the material is accessible, challenging and interesting for everyone (regardless of background or learning style).
You can also learn more about this in “e-Learning Essentials”. Download the free e-book to learn more about it.
Not only the learning material can be offered in various ways so that the student can make the choice that suits him/her best.
It is also possible to make the e-learning environment more personal.
For example, students can choose the font and size themselves. In addition, the e-learning environment offers the possibility to upload a profile photo that gives fellow students and teachers a face.
While listening to the audio in the module, students can also choose the voice of a man or a woman and the reading speed suits them.
In addition to personal preferences in learning style, learning materials and learning environment, there are many more options for personalizing e-learning.
It is therefore important to design the training in such a way that the student can choose certain things for themselves, such as:
Another effective way to make e-learning more personal is to give participants a face.
E-learning offers the opportunity for the lecturer to introduce themselves and be present during the module.
For example, the teacher can record a video introducing themselves.
In addition, the lecturer can address students by their first name, invite students to contact him/her and, for example, personalize assignments.
The teacher can also encourage students to introduce themselves via, for example, a photo collage or a video clip, so that everyone gets to know each other.
This settles the prejudice that e-learning is anonymous (and therefore not personal).
After the students have introduced themselves, group discussions immediately become a lot more personal.
After all, you're not 'chatting' with an anonymous fellow student, but with someone who introduced themselves to you.
This also makes it more interesting to compete, if the lecturer chooses gamification or adding game and competition elements to the e-learning.
In our previous blog, we discussed that applying blended learning another successful strategy is to make e-learning more personal. Setting up a Facebook group or another form of online community, for example, is an ideal way to continue the connection within the study group outside the classroom.
Students can 'spar' about the learning material, share interesting sources (videos, articles) and ask questions. This is an informal way for students to communicate with each other and the lecturer.
In short, there are many ways to make e-learning more personal.
It is high time to say goodbye to the 'one size fits all' principle.
Although the people who follow the e-learning are not directly in your classroom (or at least not for the entire learning process), they are indeed motivated students who want to get the best out of the learning experience.
In addition, they are all different.
With different learning styles, different backgrounds, different professions and different preferences.
By creating space and accessibility for all students, they feel taken seriously, seen and heard, their intrinsic motivation is stimulated and the chance of a successful learning outcome is greatest.
Want to know more about e-learning? Download our free e-Book “e-Learning Essentials”
