How Should Content Change for eLearning?

A digital world requires digitally enabled employees. As we work through solutions for our clients this recurs as a key need. As organizations take to long term digital strategy, the need for training increases tremendously. Every department, every process has to be digitized if it is to be immune to circumstantial vagaries. The transition means training content must evolve to accommodate for the digital setup. But what must change and how?

The Pedagogy Approach

I’ve touched upon how existing pedagogy is enriched by content design, technology and time in the vILT format and the emerging teaching styles. Finding the best teaching style for your needs will define the way content will need to be converted.

In a Flipped Classroom, theory is shared as pre-requisite learning material along with a summary of topics leading up to the training day. These can be created in engaging formats such as short videos. vILT sessions are used more for discussions, activities, and practice tests.

In Blended Learning vILT is blended with eLearning. Learning tools could be case sheets, infographics, practice tests, simulations, serious games etc., as needed

In the Collaborative Approach, digital enablement brings tools which are generally not available in a classroom set up. Collaborative actions like brainstorming on whiteboard annotations, screen and files sharing become easier; interactivity is increased through teach back, and by including clicking, typing or speaking activities periodically.

Adaptive Learning is user driven. Learning is either KPI, competency, or need based and hence unique to each profile. While the learning management system provides personalization through digital assets, vILT sessions provide the same with breakout and discussion rooms providing personalized attention to a smaller group.

The Problem-Solution Approach

There are also multiple challenges that the vILT training mode poses when compared to classroom sessions. Addressing those could also be another way to define content conversion. Here are a few we’ve encountered and the solutions we implemented and suggested:

1. Distracted learners - Make content engaging by employing polls, gamifying the experience and encourage healthy competition; build discussion boards and breakout rooms for participants to communicate on; keep time for asking views from participants after every topic
2. Limited tools for instructors - Live learning delivery tool should have features such as whiteboard, sub-groups, raise hand, polls etc. vILT Management Platform should have features such as pre and post learning material delivery options, assessments, surveys, feedback, and automatic attendance capture etc.
3. Lack of connect with learners - Trainer can share pre-training material, start discussions before training and encourage participation, share own social media profile to personalize the relationship, have ice-breaking digital games/interactions, encourage learners to reach out for one-on-one sessions for queries.
4. Technology challenge - Conduct vILT training sessions for trainers so that they are comfortable in using the same and can also address learner concerns about the platform.
5. Lack of non-verbal cues - Install a ‘Mood-O-Meter’ at the learner end if the vILT Management Platform allows. Mood-O-Meter takes web cam pictures at frequent intervals and interprets the mood of the learner mood via these pictures, to give inputs to trainers. To maintain privacy, these pictures are not stored anywhere, but used only for mood analysis.

Many of the above problems are solved by the adopted teaching style and some others by implementing particular features that enhance training quality and experience. But one size does not fit all. While strategizing the content shift for our clients we encourage them to share their challenges and what their training gaps have been. We work backwards from there to create bespoke solutions that seamlessly integrate and meet their learning goals. We are proud that many of our solutions have won coveted industry awards for the innovation and the impact they have delivered and look forward to working on more.