Whatever training needs a company may have and regardless of the industry, online learning based on varied digital training resources will have a great value and benefits for the target audience, for the company’s learning and development (L&D) area, and for the company in general by having an impact with tangible results.
But…what are digital training resources?
They are learning resources that can be used individually; organized and structured to be presented with other resources without being part of the same eLearning course; or integrated with other resources in the same eLearning course in order to facilitate and encourage learning and training in a certain area. The following are some examples of these resources: videos (with experts, animated, motion graphics, based on storytelling, etc.), infographics, guides, podcasts, or evaluations, to mention a few.
Here are three effective ways to make the most of these digital training resources in every kind of eLearning training:
- Individual use: Address a specific learning need. The resource will only have one training objective and one piece of targeted content.
For example, a short video that tells a story (with storytelling techniques) about key factors for how to use a tool so that it captures as much attention as possible and makes your audience retain the knowledge.
- Structured and related to other resources: Depending on the training need and considering the objectives set for each digital training resource, they can be structured so that some are dependent on others (while each still works on its own). They are taught in a sequence and conditional on gaining certain skills and knowledge before going on to another level that would also be supported by presenting another digital resource, and so on and so forth until a training route has been completed.
Another option would be to structure them to be presented in parallel in order to reinforce or complement a topic.
It’s worth pointing out that, in this teaching plan, the learning objectives are met when each training resource is finished, which is why it’s crucial for whoever structures the training to be very familiar with the content and purpose of each resource.
For example, consider a training made up of the digital training resources below, which are designed to be completed sequentially:
a) Present a video with a guest expert who shares first-hand experience with negotiation techniques.
b) Facilitate an interactive, role-playing practice session supported by an artificial intelligence based platform to carry out negotiation practices and provide feedback on each participant’s performance.
c) Once the practice session is finished, and having gained evidence of progress, present the downloadable infographic, which brings together the best practices for successful negotiation.
- Integrate with other resources in an eLearning course: Produce an eLearning course that incorporates a variety of digital training resources into just one model, which, when finished, will meet various learning targets.
This is different from presenting the previous plan because each of the resources is not independent.
For example, an eLearning course beginning with an introductory animated video that presents a problem to solve followed by interactive activities and graphics where a problem-solving method is applied to later do an evaluation that, as it’s answered, provides feedback to participants on their strong points and opportunity areas. Finally, upon completing the eLearning course, a practical guide for problem solving is downloaded.
When developing digital training resources, even if they have a short duration, their design should be dynamic and visually engaging, include a variety of stimuli, and be backed by an instructional technique in order to be effective, meet quality standards, and keep participants motivated.
This is an invitation to maximize the results of the eLearning training and discover how to make the most of these digital resources so investments in training and development are profitable.
About the author:
Mayra Nuriulú is the manager of eLearning at IDESSA. She has over 15 years of experience in executive talent training and academic education for graduate programs as well as in eLearning. She took part in the planning, design, and teaching of virtual courses for the Master’s in Business Administration and the Master’s in E-Commerce of ITSEM’s Vice Rectory for Online Programs.
