How to Design eLearning Courseware to Minimize Learning Barriers and Maximizing Results?

Is it possible to quench the thirst for knowledge of the learners whenever they want to learn beyond the four walls of a classroom or bound by the tick-tock of a clock?

Yes, this is possible with eLearning platforms that can shatter the fetters that learners get bound by and help to break learning barriers.

This way knowledge seekers get to master any topic without worrying about the training sessions’ timeline, learning barriers within the classroom, or being tied up for many hours undergoing back-to-back training sessions.

This kind of facility at the beck and call of the learners provides a boundless library that is available at any hour -- a true marvel as a learning curve for the trainees in every way.

Benefits of eLearning - A Quick Overview 

Let us take an example to understand how an eLearning platform helps in a scenario related to the busy work time of professionals. Suppose Alex has to juggle the hectic demands of his bustling career being a diligent software analytic professional.

With eLearning in the picture, Alex, in the cozy comfort of his home or other place can carry out the data analytics as per his convenience.

Not just this, an eLearning platform once built can aid to provide training to thousands of eager minds.

The best aspect is that most of the logistical nightmares or learning barriers are reduced; it is wallet-friendly, and thus, no more extra spending on frequent travel as well as on heavy textbook costs.

For example, let us suppose that through an eLearning platform, a retail giant wants to train its freshly recruited people who want to gain deep insight into a field.

This move will help the retail firm to reach across diverse locales and thus, both time and resources can be shepherded and importantly, will yield more fruitful training sessions.

Besides these, the doctrine of 'one-size-fits-all' is not adopted as it happens in a usual teaching method.

In other words, the compatibility of the learning materials among the learners is given more importance.

This is achieved by offering a personalized learning curve by understanding the needs of the learners -- can be compared to tailor-made clothing.

For the same, complex algorithms are employed and learning material is carefully calibrated irrespective of whether the learners are big fans of of visual aids or heavy volumes of data.

Understanding Different Types of Learning Barriers That Learners Face

It is necessary to initially demystify the unthought barricades that learners encounter to ensure they have an easy time while going through eLearning materials. This is because learners can feel stranded and learning barriers can cause big impediments while absorbing the information. These different types of hurdles are described hereunder: 

Cognitive Overload
Suppose you have gone to a restaurant and an attendant inundates your plate with all kinds of dishes at the same time -- you are baffled seeing every conceivable delicacy on your tray. In the same way, when learners are swamped with excessive information at a time especially in the text format without adequate explanation and examples, it turns out to be a learning barrier for them.

Owing to this reason, the learning curve slows down and the information is stored in the form of a disordered mosaic of details in the memory. Hence, it becomes difficult for the knowledge seekers to recall the information when required.

For example: consider that a training session is on and it is based on various topics related to compliance. If the modules are filled with legalese, regulations, and directives, then there is a high chance that learners would flounder in the midst of information deluge. 

Lack of Motivation: Have you ever wondered about running with heavy weights tied to your waist? This is exactly the type of scenario that the learners have to face if there is a lack of motivation when it comes to going through quality-lacking eLearning materials. In other words, unless the eLearning content has some captivating elements such as interactive simulation or animated videos along with real-life-based activities, learners may not find the virtual reference materials interesting and this would turn out to be a big learning barrier for them.

For example: Let us assume that salespersons undergo training on various products launched by the company recently. There is a big possibility that they may fail to grasp the differentiating factors of the products if the training has hundreds of slides without adequate explanation, examples, and interactive demos. 

Learning Style Mismatch
Most learners have their own style of learning and they need certain learning elements so that they can understand the concepts properly. This way, they may not hit a learning barrier while going through the eLearning material. 

For example, some will relish animated content while some prefer examples of vibrant visuals; others will choose detailed explanations. It would be akin to wandering in a maze if learners who are used to visual-based content were asked to go through dense text-only learning material.

For example: Suppose Sarah, who is highly acclimated to visual storytelling type of content, is made to go through heavily text-ridden material without adequate examples and visuals. Will she be able to adjust herself to a new learning format (a learning barrier) suddenly and will the learning curve not be challenging? Yes, she may to a certain extent but not entirely as she is used to assimilating knowledge that unfolds visually before her. 

Accessibility Limitations
It would not be an easy task for people with certain learning problems to understand something that is beyond their capabilities or if they have some sort of limitations. People with disabilities would face the same faith and confront learning barriers as far as accessibility to the learning material is concerned.

So in all respects, be it visual learning barriers; problems associated with auditory impairments, or challenges pertaining to mobility; it is always wise to create such an eLearning platform that provides unimpeded access for all and suits them. 

Therefore, ideally, eLearning learning material should have the necessary imageries with elucidative alt text; for those who give high preferences to visual learning, videos must be added with lucid captions, and most importantly, it is essential that navigation is designed such that it is conducive to keyboard utilization. These measures will help to overcome several types of learning barriers and smoothen the learning curve -- learners can traverse diverse routes this way.

Addressing Different Types of Learning Barriers That Learners Face 

The problems that learners face with different types of learning acuity can be overcome by implementing the below ideas explained hereunder: 

Cognitive Overload: When an overload of information becomes a learning barrier for the knowledge-seekers, it would be ideal to employ instructional designers who have ample of experience in selecting and including proportional content in such a manner that the learners will not feel overwhelmed. In such a case, the microlearning methodology that focuses on chunking content in small modules (less information in each module) would be an apt solution.

Motivation Boosters:
To ease the learning curve by overcoming the motivational lack of experience, it would be wise to incentivize learning. In other words, after the completion of the training program, there should be an opportunity of growth for the trainees and after completing each training program, they should be rewarded with some tangible rewards within the learning path. This measure will be similar to garnishing any kind of dish to enhance its taste -- keeping learners happy and moving forward.

Adapting to Learning Styles: There are varied types of learners and they prefer different types of learning formats. Hence, the ideal solution for people facing the learning barriers such as a one-size-fits-all format would be to come out with a medley of formats that caters to different learning styles. 

By embracing this kind of buffet approach to content delivery -- incorporating 2D/3D  animations; multiple visuals for explaining a concept; infographics explaining steps in a systematic format; simulations; podcasts, and interactive quizzes -- will aid in overcoming all kinds of learning barriers related to different learning formats.  

Enhancing Accessibility: For people with different learning problems or disabilities, it would be wiser for content development companies to incorporate certain easily accessible elements in the eLearning platform as well as in the content (removing learning barriers and streamlining the learning curve). This would be like embodying certain types of inclusive measures while designing courseware that is universally navigable for them -- more like designing a building structure that has ramps and elevators alongside stairs -- ensuring no one faces any issues.

Conclusion
By addressing different kinds of learning barriers head-on through the incorporation of certain easily navigable and simple-to-understand content that the learners face, it would be helpful for them to absorb and remember the essential concepts for a long period of time. 

If your firm is interested to incorporate features that would make your eLearning solution interesting by reducing as many learning barriers as possible, then you can approach VK Creative Learning.