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8 Best Practices for Online Learning

Written by: Ben Nash

Article Overview: Many organizations are using online learning instead of classroom based training because they believe it is more cost effective, convenient, and less time consuming. For those of us that have sat through poorly designed online learning programs, however, it can be experienced as a form of torture.

8 Best Practices for Online Learning

Many organizations are using online learning instead of classroom based training because they believe it is more cost effective, convenient, and less time consuming. For those of us that have sat through poorly designed online learning programs, however, it can be experienced as a form of torture. If you are thinking of using online learning programs with your employees, the following best practices checklist may help to ensure that it perceived as productive not painful:

1. Make sure online learning programs are engaging, interactive, and experiential
2. Use industry, company or job-relevant examples in online modules—avoid generic or non-relevant content
3. Involve subject-matter experts or thought leaders in developing content
4. Use research-based or reliable information—adult learners want facts not opinions
5. Make sure learners have somewhere to go if they have questions
6. Make sure that visual, auditory, and hands-on elements are included to accommodate different learning styles
7. Use creativity or innovation in the design and presentation of the “look and feel”
8. Create easy-to-use support materials

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Article Tags: adult learners, best practices, creativity, different learning styles, elements, innovation, job, li li, practices checklist, relevant content, relevant examples, subject matter experts, support materials, torture



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