In the age of Zoom University, which references the long periods of strictly online classes during COVID, the shape of education transformed like never before. But now, as we adjust to what many reference as the “new normal,” what does that mean for education?
Traditional lecture classes have changed, which means it comes as no surprise that content has too. But what do we do when virtual lessons aren’t enough?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to solve disengagement across the education sector to help promote growth and development in all types of learners.
Identifying Disengagement
Some students have once again returned to the classroom, which means filling seats in massive lecture halls. But, unlike the lectures of the past, things have changed.
More than ever, students today are shown to be increasingly distracted. Out on their desks are an array of distracting devices, including iPads, smartphones, and laptops. But beyond having physical distractions readily available at their desktop, educators are also noticing other differences.
Students filling the seats in lecture halls today are showing a lack of interest in the course materials. Unfortunately, this presents a new concern for education never seen before.
Virtual Lessons Are No Exception
While some students might find more interest in lectures attended from the comfort of their own homes, virtual lessons are hardly the exception when it comes to this plaguing lack of interest.
Virtual lessons are an appropriate measure in some instances, but as trends show, they might not always be enough. It’s essential to address the concerns of disengagement and offer various resources to keep learners worldwide intrigued and educated.
The Value of Engagement
When the world of education was forced to move to an online platform during COVID, a significant challenge presented itself. How can a Learning Management System transform dull educational materials into fun and engaging tidbits?
Ultimately, the value of engagement in eLearning presents itself much as it does in a standard classroom. Students more engaged in the learning process absorb the information more effectively and show higher long-term retention rates.
Solving Disengagement
Thankfully, the various technological advancements available today in eLearning allow educational content to be more engaging than ever. If there’s one thing that technology has taught us through this process is that eLearning doesn’t have to be boring.
When it comes time to craft an engaging eLearning experience for students, there are a few considerations to keep in mind, including:
How to make students proud of their results
How to allow students to explore additional resources
How to stress the value of the course
How to kindle each student’s curiosity quotient
How to attract learners with visuals
How to keep learning modules concise
How to follow a well throughout course map
How to make a lesson interactive
How to set clear learning objectives early on
How to understand each learner as an individual
Adding Effective Features
In addition to the consideration when solving disengagement, a handful of tools available through LMS platforms allow for more effective learning. These features include gamification, meaningful interactions, and visual experience.
Gamification
Personalized learning and gamification have proven time and time again to be one of the most effective tools in keeping eLearnings engaged. By taking a behind-the-scenes look at gamification, you can quickly see the benefits of integrating this type of learning into any educational content.
Here are a few examples of gamification elements that can instantly boost engagement in any eLearning content:
Keys: progressing one step to the next through a course provides learners with keys to unlock the next level.
Course Currency: without offering monetary value, course currency works as an effective motivator.
Collectibles: foster a more social and interactive environment by offering collectible items throughout the course.
Certificates or Badges: providing tangible rewards for the completion of courses helps acknowledge and recognize various levels of learning.
Points: show progress and level of understanding with a points system that can be used to help unlock new levels within the gamified course.
Leaderboards: create friendly competition amongst learners by encouraging them to hit a #1 ranking position.
Meaningful Interactions
The way to keep your learners engaged throughout a course is by creating meaningful interactions along the way. Having students engage with the screen throughout the course helps to keep them active and excited.
Here are a few ways to help provide meaningful interactions with online learners:
Contextual Relevance: connect to learning objectives.
Problem-Solving: provide learners with the opportunity to relate.
Questions: allow learners to have more profound thoughts about materials.
Discovery: fulfill the natural inquisition that lies within every human.
Visual Experience
Attract an audience by providing attractive visuals straight from the get-go. Although we’re taught from an early age not to judge a book by its cover, it happens more often than not. Don’t deter students from learning content because of a lacking visual experience.
Here are a few key elements that can completely transform your learners’ visual experience.
Balance: weight and balance are critical to any visual design considerations.
Alignment: using rulers and grids, ensure each element isn’t crooked.
Repetition: to maintain organization and cohesiveness, rely on repetition throughout gamified courses.
Contrast: contrast can help emphasize certain areas while also providing an overall aesthetically pleasing experience for the user.
Color: strike the subconscious mind through the power of color science.
Final Thoughts
Technology is ever-evolving, which means that the introductory lessons put online for lectures must adjust with the times as well. Today, virtual lessons aren’t enough to keep the majority of learners engaged. Thankfully, with the help of some proven techniques and added features, LMS platforms are making it easier than ever to promote effective learning.
Here at ryco.io, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of the curve. We keep on top of the current eLearning trends in the education sector to develop engaging and compelling content. Stay tuned for what’s in store for ryco.io as the education sector continues shifting to online learning.
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