Do your online learners click away from the eLearning course before receiving the full benefit? Are your online learner retention rates lower than expected? In this article, we’ll share 7 tips and tricks to keep your online learner turnout higher than ever before.
How To Keep Online Learner Turnout At An All-Time High
For starters, engagement is a prerequisite. If online learners aren’t actively involved and excited about the online training experience, they may miss out on valuable learning opportunities.
They have to be willing to show up and take charge of their own development in order to benefit from your eLearning course, though. So how do you motivate remote learners and keep them coming back? Here are 7 tips to keep online learner turnout at an all-time high.
1. Use Multiple Communication Platforms
Communication with online learners is one way to provide them with ongoing support, which is, in turn, one of the pillars of online learner turnout. To ensure the communication channels remain open and online learners feel engaged in the entire process, it’s best to use multiple communication platforms. This may include emails and online discussions.
Aside from these basic communication tools, you can also include instant messaging, chat rooms, and social media groups. Even though communication on multiple communication platforms may sound time-consuming and labor-intensive, there is software that enables you to organize all messages in one centralized location.
2. Appeal To Online Learners’ Social Nature
Human beings thrive in social situations. As a general rule, we enjoy interacting with peers and sharing our opinions. You can use this innate trait to increase online learner turnout by integrating social learning activities. Encourage learners to join online discussions, or develop group collaboration projects, which will help them benefit from the skills and knowledge of their peers.
Another way to appeal to their social nature is to host live webinars on a regular basis. Give online learners a viewing guide in advance so that they can prepare questions or discussion topics. Also, don’t forget to record the webinar for those who are unable to attend the live event.
3. Advocate Active Participation
Effective eLearning requires active participation, rather than passive observation. One of the most common misconceptions of eLearning is that it’s inactive, that online learners are merely sitting in front of their computers reading text or watching slideshows. eLearning is indeed more convenient and accessible, but that doesn’t mean it’s a spectator’s sport.
Encourage active participation and increase online learner turnout by inviting learners to interview subject matter experts via social media, or participate in debates using the online forum. It’s also important to emphasize the importance of active participation so that learners feel empowered. For example, stress the real-world benefits of your eLearning course in order to make the experience more relevant.
4. Add Gamification Elements
The ultimate reward for an online learner is getting the information they need to achieve the desired outcome. Unfortunately, the path towards the end goal can be lengthy, which leads some online learners to drop out along the way and reduces your online learner turnout.
Gamification may help to ensure your online learners stay on track and cross that finish line. eLearning badges, points, and certifications fuel their motivation along the way and increase online learner retention. Ideally, you should choose a reward system that aligns with the learning objectives and desired behaviors.
The goal is to offer an incentive until online learners develop their own sense of intrinsic motivation.
5. Provide Regular eLearning Feedback
Nothing is more discouraging for online learners than a lack of feedback. Without feedback, online learners are more inclined to simply give up or click away. You should also keep in mind that eLearning feedback is an ongoing effort. Online learners should receive immediate input and recommendations based on personal gaps. For example, after the task-based simulation, you can offer them a list of supplemental online resources to build up their related skill sets.
6. Invite Online Learner Input
Engaging your learners also means asking for their input. Give them the opportunity to conduct self-assessments to identify their own areas for improvement. You can also carry out surveys and polls to focus on their eLearning experiences, or to inquire about topics or tasks they’d like to see in future courses. When soliciting eLearning feedback, don’t forget to open the door for questions. There may be certain problem areas you have overlooked or not even considered.
Questions in eLearning give you the power to see things from the online learner’s perspective. However, certain learners may be hesitant to ask questions in a public setting. As such, it’s wise to give them the opportunity to contact you via email or instant message, in addition to online discussions.
Ensure that trainees know that questions are welcome. They shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help or clarifications regarding the eLearning course materials. Of course, when trainees know they can comment and be active in the course and its development, online learner turnout is certainly going to improve.
7. Integrate Reviews And Testimonials
Online learners who are happy with the overall eLearning experience and have achieved their learning objectives are usually willing to spread the word. Encourage former trainees to add an eLearning course review or testimonial. Many LMSs now feature a built-in rating system so that learners can provide their feedback.
Favorable reviews may attract prospective online learners who become lifelong learners. However, this all hinges on the satisfaction of your audience. Learners must get the information they require from your eLearning course. Moreover, it must be delivered in an easily digestible format so that they can absorb the subject matter.
Emotions also play an important role in the eLearning experience. Everything from the color scheme to the background music influences the eLearning environment. As such, it’s crucial to cultivate favorable conditions that inspire and engage online learners. Make them feel like they’re part of an active and supportive online learning community by integrating social media groups.
Host frequent webinars that allow them to ask questions and interact with online instructors. The goal is to foster a positive and upbeat atmosphere that they want to be a part of. Online learners don’t want to miss the opportunity to participate in a fun and communicative eLearning environment.
Keeping online learners glued to their screens for a single course can be tricky, but making them come back for more with consistency is even more challenging. With these 7 tips, you can hack online learner turnout and make it truly soar.
