14 Oct Four User Experience (UX) Tips for Effective eLearning

So, eLearning modules are just a few training materials you have to complete annually to keep your business happy, right? Wrong. Effective eLearning is so much more than just a few clicks of a next button and multiple-choice questions. The truth is, eLearning courses need to be intuitive and have seamless user experiences so that learners feel interested in the course, instead of wanting to whizz through it.

User experience (UX) is one of the most critical phases of eLearning development. It is a part of the learning design stage, but you should also consider it from the planning phase, assessing the learning needs, objectives, and goals. This way, you have a vision for a solution that is practical from the get-go.

Why eLearning UX is a game-changer in 2020

Technology is continually evolving, and people are constantly sharing more content. What’s the problem with that?

We become accustomed to this endless buzz of information around us, which can overwhelm at times. It creates a need for content that we can easily read, navigate, and retain. This is where user experience comes in.

How do you create a compelling user experience? Here are 4 eLearning UX design tips you need to know.

1. Divide Large Chunks Of Content Into Bite-Size Portions

Humans are built to consume things in smaller portions. Think of a buffet, for example. You might eat a ton of delectable roasts and veggies to get your money’s worth, but only one plate at a time. In the same way, humans learn and retain information in smaller chunks.

We can achieve this in eLearning by using pop-up text and other hide-and-reveal interactions. These features allow learners to interact with the content and read it in a more manageable way.

2. Use Imagery and Iconography

We all know the saying “a picture is worth 1000 words”. Humans react well to visuals, which is what has made infographics and videos so effective in eLearning.

The key is to use imagery related to the content. Images allow learners to apply their knowledge to a visual scenario and remember what they learned. Using iconography is also great when you want to create a specific flow on a page or keep the learner engaged while learning “5 ways to manage a difficult conversation”, for example.

3. Keep Interactivity Consistent

Learners love interacting with content. It keeps them engaged and removes any opportunity for lack of focus or boredom.
But with interactivity comes a need for consistency, from a UX point of view. Ask yourself questions like “how are the buttons in this course laid out?”, and “do these buttons have rollover states?”. You will also need to keep the design consistent. If one button has a drop shadow, all the buttons should have the same drop shadow. Use the same rule for colour and font styles. These may seem like minor edits to the design, but creating uniformity makes the learner feel more comfortable navigating the course.

4. Track Progress Within a Course

Being lost isn’t a pleasant experience, whether on a hike or in an eLearning module. A core part of UX is the design of the navigation of a course. This goes a little further than just including a navigation page at the start of the module.

It would be best if you allowed learners to understand how to move forward, backwards, exit answered questions and, most importantly, view how far they have proceeded through the course, and how much longer they have until they reach the end.

In Conclusion

Time is precious to everyone. Let’s not waste it by creating mediocre learning experiences for people trying to learn effortlessly and apply their knowledge. Use these eLearning UX tips in your next course to help learners feel captivated and achieving results.

If you need a partner to help you create a compelling eLearning UX, contact us at Flint for an assessment of your corporate learning objectives.