Research shows that engaging learners in the training content increases their focus and encourages them to practice higher-level significant thinking skills. Trainers who utilize learner-centric methods of teaching ensure that the learner is suitably engaged. As a result, the learning objectives are achieved better.
There are three factors that turn on learner engagement.
- First is the learner’s emotional response to any training. This deals with how the learner feels about the training content and the way it has been presented.
- Then there is the intellectual response to the training. Is the training built in a way that challenges the learner’s intellect? How successful is it in doing so?
- Finally, the environmental response to the learning is considered. Do the learners network with the learning environment? Or does the environment change because of the learner and the training.
A very common method of measuring instructional approaches is score-based measurement. This method depends only on data and ignores any personal bias. In order to assess the learner outcome accurately, all aspects of learner engagement must be taken into consideration. Here are a few tips to engage the learner.
Learners should be able to express their emotion towards the learning, without the fear of failure. In an emotionally safe learning environment, learners feel free to explore and harness higher-order thinking skills.
The training should challenge the learners intellectually. However, there is a delicate balance to be considered. If the activities and assessments involved are too difficult, it might discourage the learners after a certain time. On the contrary, if they are too easy, the learners may become disinterested.
Excess graphics and text should be avoided. Stuffing the course with too many images and text defeats the purpose of online learning. It creates noise and distracts the learner. It is very important to structure the content and remove all the extra fluff. Images, if used, should be relevant. Colors, too, play a significant role. Some colors have a calming effect that enhances concentration. Some colors should be avoided as they are offensive to the eyes.
Fonts are an important aspect of learner engagement. The learner will read through the course as long as it does not hurt their eyes. Using flashy winding fonts tire the eyes after some time. It is important to choose a font that is clean and aesthetic. Also, it makes sense to stick to a single font style to maintain consistency.
Online learning material should have easy navigation. Online learners need to navigate the course without difficulty. If they are not allowed to visit different topics and sections easily, they will lose interest. A good design includes arrow, buttons, and icons in appropriate places.
Using headlines and bullets help structure content. Dumping paragraphs of content on the learner is not a good idea. The brain will get fatigued after a point. The most effective way to structure content is to use headlines and bullets to put forth the idea.
Consistency is the key. Text, images, graphics, and so on should be used in a manner that it provides one consistent message to the learners. All the parts of the course should come together harmoniously in order to convey the course objectives.
In the near future, technology will provide stronger methods of assessing and capturing the experience of the learners. The ability to enhance learner engagement will increase even further. Until then, our experts can ensure that your employees are motivated to learn and achieve the desired performance results.
Get in touch with us now about the best practices to follow when engaging learners.
