Today’s professionals have become accustomed to high-quality, engaging content. Their social media feeds are filled with interesting snippets designed to share an idea or opinion quickly and in a way that captures the eye and intrigues the mind.
Formal educational or training opportunities don’t traditionally adhere to that approach. Being entertaining is rarely a priority, leading many instructional programs to provide learners only with dry facts and long blocks of text that are hard on the eyes.
While conveying critical information should always be the goal of any learning and development program, neglecting the value of engaging and entertaining content is a misstep. If you want your employees to be excited about learning and absorb the information, then presentation matters.
If you want to take your L&D program to the next level, here’s how to make sure your content is up to the challenge.
Vary Your Delivery
Social media has gotten people accustomed to seeing a variety of delivery methods when information is shared. Text alone isn’t going to be particularly engaging. However, if you combine text segments with visually enticing infographics and high-energy videos, you create the variety that has become prevalent in today’s increasingly digital world. As you create modules, make sure to break up large chunks of text with other media. Add images that provide context or showcase examples and use videos that make explanations easier to grasp or information more interesting. Data-based learning can also offer variety, as numbers often stand out against a wall of text. Similarly, make sure each module is fairly concise. Embrace microlearning by breaking complex topics into bite-sized segments, giving the learner the ability to dive into a single point and then pause before moving on to the next one. When there is a level of variety, engagement typically increases. It keeps the eyes moving and mind curious, enhancing the learning experience.Get Learners Involved
Most traditional learning mechanisms are passive. Learners read text or view information, but don’t always have a chance to participate in the experience directly. However, if you integrate interactive opportunities into your program, you can increase engagement and facilitate learning. For example, social learning brings people together, allowing them to grow together or work issues collaboratively. Chatbots give employees a method for getting involved while controlling the content being delivered. In some cases, augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) can be ideal for delivering information. Instead of merely viewing the content, your employees can be immersed in the learning experience, making it more engaging. By creating content that grabs the learners attention and varying how it is delivered, your L&D program can be more engaging, making it more effective.Are You Ready to Embrace Today’s L&D Trends?
If you are ready to embrace today’s instructional design trends, the experienced L&D consultants at Clarity Consultants can work with you directly to craft your ideal solution. Contact us to discuss your company’s goals with one of our skilled team members today and see how our L&D services can make building your perfect program easier than ever.
