Like other instructional methods, eLearning also needs to be effective and interesting to the learners. Well, “interesting” does not really mean that the content has to be colorful or fun-oriented, at least for the grown-up learners. Although games and interactive approaches make eLearning more engaging, various other factors are crucial for grown-up learners. With the world full of multiple distractors competing for our attention, learners must ensure that they complete the training for fruitful outcomes.
So, the question is what the requirements of grown-up learners are? Well, grown-ups prefer to make the best of the limited time and resources they have, regardless of the training type they avail. Undoubtedly, with the availability of best eLearning authoring tools out there, effective course content can be developed for achieving the desired result. Let’s have a look at a few instances that help learners to decide if the training is worth their time.
Table of Contents
Benefits From the Training
Grown-up learners prefer an educational program that is well-structured and has clearly defined elements. Early in training, online course developers must show grown-up learners how the content relates to their objectives. Learners must realize what’s in it for them and ensure they understand what benefits they will receive after the completion of the training. Course developers/instructors must explain the objectives of why the course is beneficial on the job. This way, learners can be successfully oriented to learn and prepare themselves to avail the advantages of online training.
Content Relevance to the Work
Grown-up learners must realize the fact that their learning is applicable to their work or other responsibilities. Simply put, they need not focus extensively on the theory, instead find relevant concepts that apply in settings known to the participants. While the course developers do so, they should ensure that the scenarios, settings, and examples reflect what the grown-up learners see in real-life.
Importance of the Knowledge Gained Through Training
Grown-up learners prefer to act appropriately by the knowledge gained from the training. Hence, it is vital that they focus on practical applications and relevant experiences for effective results. They can make practical use of their knowledge and use it in a context similar to the way that knowledge would be used in real life. Course developers can use various experimental techniques, like simulation, discussion, case study, etc. to tap into the experiences of the learner for engaging them in practicing the knowledge application.
Are the Learners In Control of Their Learning?
When grown-up learners feel that they can control their learning, they prefer taking challenges and carrying out challenging tasks. Intrinsic motivation can be increased by offering a choice about what activities to do and how to do them. Numerous positive outcomes bring higher levels of perceived self-control in the learning process. It means the provision of flexibility in timelines, offering numerous ways to complete the training module, offering optional additional content, etc.
Grown-up learners usually have a solid foundation of life experiences and knowledge that shapes their understanding of the world around them. This prior knowledge is advantageous in making connections to the training content. Moreover, when learners can associate the new information with something they already know, it will boost their memory and will be helpful in retaining the concept.
Various changing priorities of today’s workplace can make it difficult to allocate resources for training. Learners can be effectively motivated by providing a clear goal involving their professional development and career. Skilled employees usually seek to excel in an organization. They can also be motivated to pay attention if they are shown how the different components of career development are associated with the training they are offered with.
