An article entitled E-learning is a boring distraction recently caught my eye at Management-Issues. My first reaction to the title was “duh!” But only because most of what passes for e-learning is not what I would consider engaging. It’s not my idea of fun to watch an online PowerPoint presentation, even if someone is talking and explaining what I’m seeing. Static images just don’t cut it, and too often that’s what we see in e-learning.

The 80/20 rule?

Interestingly though, according to the article, only 20% of the 1000 managers surveyed said the e-learning content they’d encountered failed to engage or interest them. That means 80% felt like the e-learning was either engaging, interesting, or both. Based on what I’ve seen as far as content, I’m surprised at those numbers. Based on what I’ve seen and what managers have told me, I would think more than 20% of them believe the presentations to be boring.

On the upside, e-learning is getting used! Forty percent of junior managers are using e-learning modules, along with twenty-two percent of senior management.  These numbers are encouraging; between these and the other numbers, it tells me that quality of content is on the rise.

Getting out of their own shoes

So what does all this REALLY mean? Answer: Good news. Those who are developing online learning modules are thinking far beyond just making sure the proper content appears. To do that they have to put themselves in the mindset of the prospective learner.

When they do that, they need to ask themselves a key question:

 What can I do with the material so the learner STAYS engaged?

It’s one thing to check off a box and truthfully say “the material is all there in the module.”  But it’s something totally different to put yourself in the shoes of the prospective learners and see it all from their point of view.

Across the board, the e-learning that works will be e-learning that grabs and holds the viewer’s attention in ways that the viewer wants. 

Got an e-learning insight? A Pro? A Con? Let us know.

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Filed in Training, Management, Workplace, Train the Trainer, Corporate Culture, E-Learning