eight Important Parts Of A Synergistic eLearning Technique
The 8 essential elements of a synergistic eLearning strategy
A synergistic eLearning strategy may sound like a daunting prospect, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s about looking at eLearning as a whole, not parts of it. Instead of looking at online training, social learning, microlearning, mobiles, and the rest as individual assignments, consider a tandem e-learning approach. Bring appropriate eLearning tools into this approach to create a comprehensive eLearning experience. Look at your online learners: their backgrounds, goals, behavior, and learning preferences. Design an approach to learning that connects online with in person. Games and branching scenarios with workplace skills development. Combine a people-centric approach with the right technology and mindset.
What is a synergistic strategy?
Synergy is about creating a whole that is greater than the simple sum of its parts. When we take this into account in the world of eLearning, the point is to create an experience that embeds learning and transforms behaviors. The goal is not to produce a piece of training, do it, and move on to the next learning objective. Therefore, we must first adapt the context to the training needs and examine the needs that we want to meet. eLearning on its own may not offer the kind of immersive experience we are looking for. People may need to be brought together to discuss and exchange opinions.
We may need to provide additional eLearning resources or opportunities to ask questions. This is what synergies are all about: building a learning approach that takes into account actual, specific training needs. Combine the appropriate elements to create a comprehensive learning path. Learning is not about getting new information. It’s about living and breathing new ideas. get a chance to try them out and try new things.
Essential elements of the synergistic learning design
In order to narrow down the options, several key elements of a comprehensive synergistic eLearning strategy should be considered. You may need to tweak your eLearning strategy by focusing on several of them and even bringing in new ideas.
1. Learning technology
Choose your eLearning development tools with immersive technology in mind. Enable a wide range of instructional design approaches to appeal to all online learners. Rely on online training wherever learners are scattered or time-consuming. The advantages of cost savings and increased acceptance are obvious. Toolbox staples include eLearning authoring tools, LMS, and video conferencing software.
2. Scheduled face-to-face or synchronous online sessions
Do you need to bring online learners together? If possible, schedule an online workshop through your collaboration platform. When you bring people together (e.g. a conference), take the opportunity for an eLearning experience together. Feeling more connected with other online learners is a powerful engagement technique. As part of a synergistic eLearning strategy, you can also host regular live events where online learners can interact and share their experiences.
3. Mobile learning
Make sure you design with responsiveness in mind. Enable your online learners to participate anywhere, anytime, and use their own device if they want. Make sure that mobile learning activities give online learners control over audio playback and include images that are optimized for the small screen.
4. Microlearning
Consider dividing modules into online micro-learning training resources that you can publish along with other eLearning materials. Brief bursts of visual, impactful training provide online learners with fun and anticipation. You may even want to start a bite-sized repository that provides “moment of need” support for online learners.
5. Interactive design features
If necessary, provide a number of design elements. Rely on graphics, games and simulations to ensure a complete eLearning experience. Branch scenarios are another great way to create a sense of immersion and alert online learners to the real-world consequences of their actions.
6. Social learning
A synergistic eLearning strategy should enable online learners to network and learn from each other. For example, create discussion groups such as eLearning blogs, online discussions, social platforms, group or individual chat tools. But don’t forget about the real-world interactions: virtual lunch and study sessions, questions and answers with subject matter experts enrich learning. Another option is to include team collaboration activities that can help them solve problems and improve their interpersonal skills in a group.
7. Coaching and mentoring
Focus on the importance of continuous learning as part of your synergistic eLearning strategy with a mentoring program. Whenever possible, create connections to connect online learners and experts. Don’t forget to develop guidelines and / or training contracts so everyone knows what to expect and what online resources are available. For example, it should contain milestones and long-term goals that will keep the duo on track and keep them motivated.
8. Performance support systems in the workplace
Nothing compares to on-the-job learning. However, you need to give your staff the right support so that if there is a mistake it feels more like positive eLearning feedback than negative criticism. You should also enable online learners to identify personal gaps through ratings. Even something as simple as a pop quiz before the eLearning course can help them identify areas for improvement and improve performance.
Once you understand the concept of a synergistic eLearning strategy, it is difficult to consider any other approach. It’s about retraining the L&D strategy on what you want to deliver and why, rather than how you want to train your people. It is more important than ever to provide options that accommodate different learning preferences. First, take a step back to consider the organization’s learning objectives. How will you embed consistent values and skills across different workflows? Which learning approaches are most important to your workforce?
Conclusion
Synergy is about creating an eLearning environment that is fluid, responsive and inclusive. So don’t focus on design features and technical possibilities anymore. Instead, think about what your online learners need to do to make changes. How can you support them and promote a learning culture for change, improvement and development? A synergistic eLearning strategy is about combining the best eLearning approaches in order to offer your employees a personalized eLearning experience.
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