Engaging Online Instruction

Online training has come a long way since its beginning as a page turner on the screen. Even assessments no longer need to be limited by multiple-choice or drag and drop interactions. New technologies and the tweaking of old ones have provided a variety of options to make learning more engaging and compelling to use.

Online instruction is now tied to databases in Learning Management Systems (LMS) to monitor, track, and respond to user interaction. Blended technologies bring the screen to life with realistic human speakers. Communication technologies using e-mail, discussion groups, and LMS employee-generated forwarding of questions and responses are now applied to assist the learner.

Some multimedia approaches include:
• Realistic human images on the screen that bring audio to life and connect with learners needing human interaction
• Real-world simulations, in which the user’s clicks and keystrokes are monitored by an LMS, which compiles them and generates feedback to the learner and reports to management
• Essay form textual input to questions that can go to a course moderator for feedback and evaluation
• Real time or any time discussion groups to encourage learner interaction and facilitator input
• Links that enable the learner to send a question about the course material to a designated moderator or supervisor to gain support
• Embedded links to Internet or intranet resources to accompany or compliment the content in the course
• Course completion scales in the form of a bar showing percentage of completion give the learner cues of progress made and remaining work

It is very rare that any one learning experience would use all of the interaction options available, but they give designers choices to make the learning as appropriate to the learner as possible.