When you are creating a custom training program, you need to take into consideration a lot of things. One of these, and probably the most important are those who will use your course. It is true that you need to think about your content, the learning goals, what tools to use and other important choices when it comes to the delivery of the content. However, what you know about your learners will ultimately help you unify the different elements of your elearning course.
A crucial decision when completing your training program is this: how can you present your content in such a way that will produce the highest retention rate for your learners? Answering this question will involve getting to know your learners. When you get to know them, it can help you decide what methods and tools should be used to make your elearning course successful.
Part of what you need to consider are the different learning styles that people have. Now there are a lot of lists available. Some would only consider visual/spatial, aural, and kinesthetic. Some would include verbal learning styles. Others would include social relationships. To give you an idea, here are 7 learning styles that we know are being used today – based on an article published on ElearningIndustry.com.
- Visual – this refers to a learning style that uses photos, images and other visual materials.
- Aural – this refers to a learning style that uses sound, music and other hearing stimuli.
- Kinesthetic – this refers to a learning style that uses physical activities.
- Verbal – this refers to a learning style that uses materials that can be read orally or written.
- Mathematical – this refers to a learning style that uses reasoning.
- Interpersonal – this refers to a learning style that happens with a group.
- Intrapersonal – this refers to a learning style that happens alone.
Now the article from the same website explains that the success of your custom training program does not rely on your knowledge of these learning styles. It is revealed that factoring in the type of learning that learners will prefer does not guarantee that your elearning course will succeed.
Well that is probably true – but that does not mean you should disregard it when you are creating your training program. The truth is, there are a lot of factors that will make your elearning course a success. Knowing the learning style that of the course participants is only one of them. The way we see it, having an idea of the preferred style of learning will allow you to narrow your choices when it comes to the tools that you can use as you create your course. But even then, you need not limit yourself to one learning style.
There are learners who prefer both visual and intrapersonal styles of learning. You can combine them as you see fit. Feel free to use more than one in stimulating your the brain of your learners. You can even take cues from the type of content that you will deliver. For instance, teaching learners about customer service is probably best done with a group – thus an interpersonal learning style.
It is important to consider the specific learning styles of your learners but make sure that you are not focused on that alone. There are other factors to consider when you are creating your elearning course.
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