Have you ever wondered why your training was not as successful as you thought? It is probably due to small details that you overlooked during planning. But don't worry! We will introduce you to the 10 most common mistakes you can avoid in e-learning.
Creating e-learnings is actually super easy, yet the same mistakes keep happening. Here are the things you should pay attention to in order to avoid typical mistakes...
before the course starts
during the e-learning and
after the course.
Typical e-learning mistakes before the course begins
1. Overestimation of technology (prior knowledge)
Mistake: The course creator plans a perfect e-learning and uses various methods and tools. He assumes that all participants are on the same tech level as he is, as he has thoroughly engaged with it during development.
However, it quickly becomes clear at the beginning of the course that not all participants are tech professionals. And it is exactly these issues that often cause problems: The internet connection lags, the microphone crackles and fails, or the software is too complicated – all of this can hinder your e-learning.
Solution: Provide your course participants with a short checklist outlining the technical requirements of your course. If you are using specific software or a tool, you can explain the key functions in a brief screencast. This alleviates uncertainty for your participants and saves you from the biggest startup issues.
Tip: Are your course participants somewhat skeptical towards digital training? Then read now how to convince them: Simply train digitally and convince technology skeptics
2. No knowledge check for the participants
Mistake: The course leader has a pre-prepared course and jumps in at a random point without considering the abilities and knowledge gaps of the participants.
In many companies, there are mandatory trainings that all employees must attend. It is often forgotten that all participants have different knowledge or competencies. This is especially noticeable in product and software training: Not all participants are equally skilled in dealing with technology, so take the quick test for digital competence!
Solution: To recognize these differences in time, a short quiz before the course begins is completely sufficient. Ask your participants for their personal assessment and then set the competency level of your online course. Also adapt your content to the knowledge level of the learners, so that the learning effect remains as high as possible and no one gets bored.
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Typical e-learning mistakes during the course
3. Lecture instead of exchange
Mistake: The e-learning turns into a lecture, the course leader holds his presentation and does not plan any time for questions. As a result, the needs of the participants move to the background, as the course leader does not have them directly in front of him during the e-learning.
Especially in pure online formats, many course leaders tend to use this time mainly for input. However, in e-learning, active involvement of the learners is crucial; otherwise, there is a risk that no one will listen to you anymore. After all, online courses can quickly make people tired.
Info: Are you looking for ideas to make your online course really exciting? Then find out more now: 5 practical tips for trainers – make your course irresistible!
Solution: Use the valuable time for active learning measures. For pure input, your participants can also watch a video. This way, everyone can learn at their own pace, repeat contents, or pause. This also has advantages for you as the course leader:
No time pressure: Each participant processes the content at their own pace
Flexibility: You can prepare content and do not always have to be on-site
Benefit: You can reuse your content, thus saving time and money
Efficiency: You use the time in attendance more effectively and can outsource theoretical learning content
All these advantages can be summarized in the concept of blended learning. Don't know what it's about? Then take a look at our overview of blended learning in practice:
4. Inappropriate methods and content
Mistake: In e-learning, the course leader wants to cover as many topics as possible and tries to use the limited time as effectively as possible. In doing so, he forgets that different content should be taught using different methods and media.
Whether it's data protection training, software introduction, or team-building measures, often learning content is presented in the form of a classic presentation. Many course leaders forget that not every content is learned using the same method. So, a software introduction may need a brief example video, while a sales training requires an active implementation exercise.
Solution: Ask yourself while designing the course: What do I want to convey and what options do I have? This makes it clear how to best convey which content. Therefore, adapt your format to the goal! In an online course, you can include various media formats alongside live sessions, ensuring your course remains varied. You can constantly mix it up and offer your participants new impulses.
5. Unclear training goal
Mistake: The course leader does not state a clear goal of what the e-learning aims to achieve. As a result, the learners do not know what they are actually attending the course for and quickly drift off in their thoughts.
Some course leaders make the mistake of not giving their e-learnings a clear name. As a result, participants do not know what to expect from the course. Therefore, think of an interesting course title that piques curiosity while also summarizing the content well!
Solution: Think about what your participants will learn in the course and try to summarize the goal in the course description. Also, set a clear goal; ideally, involve your participants in setting the objectives. Create a rough outline for your e-learning in advance. Before each new unit, you can refer back to it and place each learning content in the overall context.
A clear structure helps to keep the training goal in mind, making the course a visual highlight // Source: blink.it
6. No consideration of personal preferences
Mistake: The course leader plans an e-learning without aligning the learning content to the target group and their individual learning behavior.
This issue arises particularly when an external trainer comes into a company. Most of the time, there are ready-made courses that are repeatedly conducted. Especially in e-learnings, however, you should pay attention to the individual preferences. Younger participants tend to adapt well to e-learnings, while older participants may desire different formats that you can also implement online.
Solution: Engage with your participants before the course begins and ask them directly about their learning behavior. Plan from the start different learning methods for a varied course.
Use different types of learning videos
Utilize the most successful quiz types in e-learning
Try out these 3 exercises for collaborative e-learning.
7. Too few planned breaks
Mistake: The course leader implements his e-learning just like a face-to-face course and forgets the important breaks, especially during digital live sessions.
Digital learning is exhausting, and this also applies to e-learning. Phenomena such as Zoom fatigue are becoming more common and should be considered, especially in the training context. After all, it’s of no use if learners take nothing away from your online course.
Solution: Plan fixed breaks from the beginning and include them in your schedule. This way, your participants can see how long a learning unit approximately lasts and can focus better on your content.
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Typical e-learning mistakes in the course follow-up
8. No suitable follow-up
Mistake: The training measure as e-learning was a complete success. But after the training day, the online course is completed and the content is quickly forgotten.
Many course leaders initially offered face-to-face courses and quickly digitized them. Follow-up is often forgotten, and participants receive no further tasks for implementing what they learned in their everyday work.
Solution: Think of a follow-up that you can provide to your participants in e-learning. The format is secondary, but it should fit your course offering. Suitable follow-up options include:
Small exercises that your participants can repeat at home
A summary of the most important learning content as PDF
The video recording if it was a live webinar
A final assignment that your participants can upload in the online course
9. No transfer to everyday life
Mistake: Many exciting topics were discussed in the e-learning, but they are very abstract. Many course leaders forget the goal of training and do not help participants apply what they learned in their everyday work. Companies are also called upon here.
In mandatory training, support in everyday life is particularly important, as motivation of some participants is lower in such trainings.
Solution: Are you responsible for personnel yourself? Then you should make yourself available as a point of contact should there be any issues with implementing what was learned! As an external trainer, it’s best to approach a supervisor to provide them with appropriate materials to ensure learning transfer.
Tip: Integrate learning into everyday work, in the spirit of 'Learning on Demand.' Create a short learning library that your course participants can access while they work!
10. No reflection on the online course
Mistake: After the online course, participants have learned a lot and can evaluate the e-learning or its success. However, many course leaders forget to ask for exactly this feedback on the training from the participants.
Solution: As a course leader, you are not just a knowledge provider; you can also learn something yourself. Ask your course participants what they thought of your course, whether they liked it, and if they have any suggestions for improvement. Actively ask them what learnings they took away and compare this with your set goals. This way, you can measure the success of your training and also gain a lot for future courses.
Do any of these points sound familiar to you? Please share your experiences with us in the comments. To avoid missing any tips in the future, you can subscribe to this blog for free! We publish new articles weekly on the topics of e-learning, blended learning, and digital training.
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