Innovation in e-learning is appealing to help you remain competitive, but where to start? Above all, it is important to avoid certain pitfalls and focus on the essential. Here we reveal all the keys to success.
There are many reasons to innovate in distance training, particularly in the context of the current crisis. The supply of training is now huge and it is not always easy to make your mark in a highly competitive market. Some training organizations dedicate huge resources to developing new features using highly advanced technology: virtual reality, mobile learning, serious games, etc. But what if the real innovation is not where one would expect? Why don’t we get back to basics and look carefully at learners’ needs? Innovation purely for the sake of it has never been a solution. The future challenge for e-learning will be to refocus on the human aspect and on the training content.
E-learning and innovation: don’t go over the top!
Why innovate in distance training?
The current crisis has forced training organizations to cancel their face-to-face training sessions. This was particularly true during lockdown. They have therefore had to focus on distance training to continue operating. The e-learning market has grown significantly in the last year or so. Now is the time to step back and take stock.
More and more training organizations are offering e-learning, a versatile format that adapts to the learner’s schedule. A format that can also enable them to carry on working at the same time. The training market is therefore undergoing significant changes and e-learning is set to grow even more. With an increasing number of players in the market, it is becoming difficult to stand out from the crowd. Training companies are therefore battling it out to come up with the best ideas, at the risk of putting digital innovation before everything else.
When innovation equals digital and non-human
Mooc, virtual reality, adaptive learning, etc. Do these terms excite you and are you hoping to invest in these forward-looking technologies? They do offer some interesting possibilities, but are highly dependent on the tool itself. What about the demand? Is your training really suited to these formats and to your learner? Your learner often spends many hours in front of a screen. It may be difficult for them to maintain a high level of concentration and really see the interest in yet another video or technology replacing actual exchanges with a trainer.
If the skills acquired at the end of the course are insufficient, your investment will have been in vain. Digital technology therefore has its limitations when it comes to distance training. Hence, it is important to look again at the user’s needs and what is really essential: your content. Because innovation is not only digital!
E-learning: 5 innovative ideas to help you stand out
Today, we are going to look at innovations useful for helping you to remain competitive. The keyword here is simplicity!
1. Use practical cases
A passive learner is more likely to become bored or lose interest in a course. This is even more true for a distance-learning course. Theory must be accompanied by practice. The idea: to present the student with a company problem that they can resolve alone or in a group for the project management aspect. This last option is more fun and will encourage interaction, even from behind a screen. Even better: real-life cases for a truly practical application of knowledge.
2. Imagine a scenario for your training course
Some courses are well-suited to an immersive format in which the learner is the hero. Based on a video game model, turn your course into a unique experience in which the student has to overcome obstacles in order to reach the next level. You can present them with a scenario you have developed yourself. Again, the aim is to make the process fun. The addictive nature of this type of format will appeal to some people. We are aware, however, that others may be less receptive.
3. Encourage direct exchanges thanks to live classes
Pre-recorded videos undoubtedly save you time. They can, however, seem to take forever to watch. What is more, the user is alone with their questions, to which they cannot obtain an immediate response. Why not set up a regular meeting, for example on a weekly basis, by video and depending on the learners’ needs, to discuss and conduct a lesson in real time. Despite certain technical issues, live classes make it possible to really recreate the sense of a classroom.
4. Offer living content thanks to inspiring trainers
Humour, empathy and approachfulness are all qualities learners find appealing and that you should strive to foster. This will make it be easier to kindle their interest in content, which should also be presented in an attractive form. Your trainers must make the trainees want to follow their course and learn. Choose them carefully, therefore!
5. Personalize your teaching thanks to coaching
We all know that sitting down alone at one’s desk to follow a course can sometimes be hard. Particularly after a long day at work. What if each student had a personal coach? This coach could set them goals and arrange regular appointments to help them and coach them on a day-to-day basis. This could be a teacher or professional in the field, who could also provide them with their practical experience. The result would be greater motivation and more dynamic content!
You get the picture: innovation is not only digital and it is possible to innovate with very little, by focusing on the learner’s needs. Be curious, therefore, and ask the learner questions to encourage them to share their feedback. You will discover new ways to improve your offer and your visibility.
