Image determines the success of your e-learning

Suppose you create a e-learning and you want to explain a physical process. So do you opt for text only, or text with images? The latter, of course. An image, graph or photo sometimes makes it clear in one fell swoop what you would otherwise need three paragraphs for. Just think of that famous proverb (yes, with a thousand words). But there are more good reasons to choose images.

The benefits of images

• The image sticks better. The chance that a student will remember certain information in a few weeks is much higher if you show images than if you use words. This is evident from various studies and is also known as the “picture superiority effect”.
• Image is fast. We can recognise and process an image in as little as 13 milliseconds — that's one eightieth of a second! In comparison, for 20-25 words, we need 6 seconds.
• Image motivates. Images make a text more appealing and vibrant, making readers more motivated to keep reading

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Choose your images carefully

So considerable advantages, but this does not apply to all images. If you add random images, you may just confuse, annoy, or unnecessarily distract your students. So invest in images that do achieve their goal. Here are some tips you can pay attention to:

1. Relevance. For some information, words remain more useful. For example, consider an abstract concept such as “right away”. “Fun” pictures such as brightening up or decoration are just noise. Therefore, only include images that complement or replace the information in the text. Also, take into account the background of your students, such as their age, educational level, and profession. For example, are you talking about efficient communication, and does your target group consist of consultants? Then a photo of two supermarket cashiers chatting isn't exactly relevant. With each image you use, ask yourself: does the image add anything to the fabric? And does it leave the impression I want to leave?
2. Unambiguity. Only use images that immediately show what you see. Prevent readers from having to guess what you mean by it.
3. Emotions. Images have great potential to evoke emotions. Emotions are a perfect tool for learning: they help your students feel more engaged with the course and remember the images better. Want to pique their interest? Then choose a humorous or surprising image. Do you want to encourage them to take action? Then select an image that evokes sadness or anger. Do opt for 'subtle' images; they come across as a lot more believable.
4. Copyright. Did you get the image from the internet and don't know the photographer, illustrator, or graphic designer? Most people are fine with you using their work, if you ask for permission in advance and include a link to their portfolio.
5. Quality. Make sure the photo or artwork you're using is big enough and you don't see any pixels or blur. A good photo is not only more attractive, it also looks a lot more professional.
6. Loading time. If the photo is too big, your course will load slower on computers. Most photo editors have a “Save for web” option to prevent this problem.

Where do you find a good image?

With these criteria, most images that you find via Google fall off. For great photos, illustrations, and other footage for you e-learning Fortunately, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of specialised sites. You pay for some of them, others are free. The paid versions usually have additional search features and a larger collection. The free sites usually work with the creative commons license. This means that you can use the image for free, as long as you include the name of the creator. The paid sites also often ask you to name the creator.

Five gold mines for images for your e-Learning

These sites have an extensive collection of professional images. So chances are you'll find what you're looking for. Tip: write down in advance where the image you are looking for is in front of you e-learning must comply with. What should it depict, and what emotions do you want it to evoke? This way, you can search more specifically and avoid being overwhelmed by the offer:

• Shutterstock (paid): photos, illustrations, charts, and more
• iStockphoto (paid): photos, illustrations, charts, and more
• Pexels (free): photos
• Unsplash (free): photos
• Freepik (free): photos, illustrations and more

With Pluvo, you can easily add images. Want to get started with this?
Then start an e-learning for free today.‍