the best tips for creating effective e-learning content

E-learning video content has grown in popularity in recent years. In fact, according to one source, 74% of trainers said they use video learning as part of their training delivery. It makes sense if you think about it; our world is increasingly moving to the digital realm. Couple that with the growing number of work-from-home opportunities that exist, and you get a recipe ripe for e-learning video content creation.

While using video content as part of employee training is one thing, keeping it engaging is another thing entirely. That same source mentioned above is also quoted as saying that “67% of employees said they could not provide full attention to training videos.” Videos get skimmed, watched without sound, or become background noise as other tasks get completed. This happens for a variety of reasons, and is often specific to the content being studied.

How do we ensure engagement with employees and keep their focus on the e-learning video content? As a voice actor that works on this type of content regularly, while also having a Master’s in Higher Education, I think I can help. Here are a few simple tips for increasing viewer retention for your e-learning content.

tip #1 - get chunky

Do you know why it’s easy to remember phone numbers, even though they are ten digits long here in the states? Chunking! When you break up information into small chunks, it becomes easier to remember. So how do we relate this to e-learning? Simple: keep your videos short; anywhere from 1.5 minutes to five minutes max. This allows concepts to be broken down into manageable pieces, and gives viewers the flexibility to learn whenever they have a few free minutes in-between other tasks.

tip #2 - add closed captioning

This tip is not only good for engagement, but it also ensures that your content is available to those who are hearing-impaired. Your learners may not always be in an environment that allows then to listen at a reasonable volume. By, providing captions, you are enabling content consumption in a more diverse set of environments.

tip #3 - make it interactive

Instead of hitting viewers with a constant stream of information, with no breaks, try to incorporate some questions or interactions throughout the content. This will keep your learners active and attentive throughout, as they will have to interact with the content in order to progress. Examples of interactions include quizzes, games, etc.

tip #4 - cater to different learning styles

It’s a fact; there are multiple ways to learn, and some are more effective than others. This efficacy varies by individuals and their own learning preferences, so we need to create content that accounts for this variation. By using a balance of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements, a higher percentage of your viewers will be involved in the learning process. Use video content, graphics, written notes, activities, audio lessons, and more to cater to these different learning styles.

tip #5 - make quality one of your top priorities

Content is king. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but it’s true. The content you produce needs to be unique, high-quality, interesting, and relevant. And it makes sense; no one wants to watch poorly produced employee training videos that suck the life out of the room. You need to engage your viewers with content that entertains, informs, and keeps them engaged.

While we always strive for quality, you can ensure that the e-learning content you produce is high quality by performing periodic checks as production happens. This is true whether you’re filming a video, recording an audio lesson, developing infographics, the works. For example: if I’m recording a voice over for employee onboarding video, it’s my responsibility to ensure that the recording is of sufficient quality, with no background noise or errors. This helps remove any potential distractions in the audio that might detract from the learning experience. For text, proofreading the script or other written elements will ensure that grammatical or spelling errors are eliminated from the production as well.

Conclusion

Content creation can often be a challenging endeavor, and is one of the more difficult parts of the e-learning course development process. But by following these five, simple tips, you can ensure that your e-learning content is keeping viewers engaged. Just remember to keep it chunky, accessible, and interactive. Use these tips, and let me know if they make an impact on your viewer engagement!

Are you an e-learning content producer, in search of a voice actor for your productions? If so, your search has ended. Take a listen to my elearning demo today, and contact me using the button below to get a free quote and audition sample.