Learn how to design more engaging eLearning and bring it to life using Evolve’s powerful authoring capabilities.
Audrey Morris, the Marketing Programs Manager at Intel, initiated the webinar titled "Best Practices for Building Better e-Learning," outlining essential housekeeping details to ensure a smooth experience for participants. As the host, she emphasized the importance of engaging with the content via feedback and inquiries, encouraging attendees to use the Q&A section for questions to be addressed at the end of the session.
Gemma Nun, the Head of Learning Design at Mint Interactive, took over to share her expertise on e-learning design. With a focus on making e-learning accessible and effective, Gemma highlighted the need for understanding learners before diving into content creation. She discussed the importance of having "clear learning objectives" and emphasized that training should be triggered by specific needs or changes within an organization.
A central theme of Gemma's presentation was the distinction between creating e-learning content and merely curating it. She asserted, "Training is usually triggered by a need or a problem within an organization that needs to be fixed." Gemma urged designers to prioritize realistic, relevant content while avoiding unnecessary information that doesn't contribute to learning objectives.
Gemma outlined practical strategies to enhance e-learning outcomes, including understanding learner needs and creating a learner analysis. This involves defining the specific characteristics, technological access, and day-to-day workflows of the target audience. She noted, "Most project teams will skip straight to developing the content…this is not best practice."
Throughout the webinar, accessibility was a focal point, advocating for an "accessibility first" design approach. By prioritizing accessibility from the outset and throughout the project lifecycle, educators can ensure all learners have the opportunity to succeed. Gemma shared, "Accessibility needs to become a best practice and just is something that we do."
Gemma also delved into the specific tools and methodologies she employs, such as the Moscow method ("Must, Should, Could, Want") to prioritize content. She showcased how tools like Evolve enhance the creation of intuitive, mobile-first e-learning experiences. With Evolve, designers can ensure courses are WCAG level AA compliant, supporting a range of accessibility features such as alternative text and responsive design.
Finally, during the Q&A, Gemma expressed a balanced view on the role of AI in e-learning: "My attitude towards AI is I think it's a useful tool, but you cannot replace the human element to it." She emphasized using AI for research and content indexing rather than content creation.
The webinar concluded with key takeaways emphasizing the building of a strong foundation with clear learning objectives, curating the right content, and starting small with accessibility. Participants left with enhanced insights and strategies to improve their e-learning projects effectively.
Gemma's enthusiastic delivery inspired attendees to adopt innovative strategies in their own work, providing a robust framework for approaching the challenges of e-learning design. The resource-rich and interactive session closed with gratitude and an invitation for further engagement through a follow-up survey and future webinars.
