The eye learns with it: That’s why your e-learning will be significantly more successful when you use visual elements. We provide you with examples and concrete tips for creating your next online course!

We humans are simply structured

We humans are simply structured. We are not machines that can easily process abstract formulas. Therefore, your online course should be as easy to process as possible. Assuming your participants have brains instead of microchips. Support learning by offering them as many images as possible. Here, “image” does not always mean a photo; it can cover a whole range: from graphics to emojis to videos. But more on that later!

Storytelling is a great method to capture your participants' attention. This applies to presentations just as much as to online courses, such as onboarding. However, words, whether written or spoken, are not always the best choice in storytelling: Through visual elements, the content is easier to understand. This increases motivation, your participants are more likely to stay engaged, and the success of learning is greater. In pictorial terms, this means:

Visual elements lead to better understanding, which leads to higher motivation and ultimately greater learning success. Source: blink.it

6 visual possibilities for your online course

What kinds of visual elements are there? These 6 options are particularly helpful for online courses:

1. Videos

2. Sketchnotes

3. Images of all kinds

4. Numbers

5. Typography

6. Emojis

1. Videos

Let’s start with the highlight: Visual elements work best in motion. Use videos in your online course by incorporating relevant content from YouTube and other platforms. Or create your own short learning videos! This method is particularly recommended in coaching. The more often your participants see your face in the online course, the closer you become to them.

How to: Create videos for online courses

When it comes to video production, many trainers and coaches are uncertain: How to make a good video without experience and without high-quality equipment? We have compiled all tips and tricks for you on an info page:

Tip: Enhance the learning process in the video EVEN more by working with overlays. It might look like this:

Would you like to create video overlays yourself? Then join our free online course now. In it, you will learn step by step how to easily create graphic overlays using the software Filmora.

2. Sketchnotes

A somewhat different form of visual support in the online course is Sketchnotes: These are notes that consist not only of text but also include images and structures. You can learn more in this article: Learning with Sketchnotes – Creative tool for your training

3. Images

Quite simply, in third place: Any kind of image. Upload self-created sketches to your online course (for example, created with Canva) or use freely licensed images.

Important: The overview of your course should also be visually appealing. Therefore, always use appropriate thumbnail images for your content whenever possible.

4. Numbers

Surprisingly effective: Use numbers instead of writing them out. Because of the visual effect, numbers stand out more in the text and are better remembered: An 8 stands out more from the rest of the text than if I simply write eight.

5. Typography

Let’s stick to text: Because visual elements start with the written word. We all know – and hate – presentations where we can’t see anything. Either the font is too small or the page is overloaded with text. The font style itself should also be well chosen: Some fonts are more difficult to read than others.

6. Emojis

Last but not least, a visual highlight of the 21st century: Emojis can lighten up your online course a bit. But don’t overdo it: After all, you don’t want to come across like a lovesick seventh grader! 😍😎😱😂 Here and there, an emoji can direct attention to important points.

Tip about emojis: On the website smileybedeutung.com, you can easily copy emojis and paste them into your online course.

Use an aesthetically pleasing LMS

Alongside visual content, the overall impression is also important! On some platforms, you can upload beautiful content, but your participants may be deterred by an unstructured layout. The following points will help you choose a suitable LMS for you:

• Are thumbnail images possible for your content?

• Can you use your own CI?

• Can you divide content (e.g., in the form of chapters)?

• Can you hide content so that the course does not seem overwhelming and intimidating from the start?

• Can you immediately find your way as a participant and recognize the structure of the course?

In the following article, you will find a concrete example of how to visually make the most out of your course: In 4 Steps from a boring online course to a successful highlight

Cone of Learning: The hierarchy of visual learning

The more senses are engaged in learning, the better the learned material sticks. We all know that. As learning experts, we also understand that there are various learning types: A visual learner learns better with images and videos, while an auditory learner prefers language and recordings. However, two aspects are often overlooked here:

1. Doing is always the most important: Even a visual learner consolidates knowledge best by trying it out and practicing.

2. Within the senses, we can distinguish more precisely: A video is for example more helpful than a mere photo. And a photo is usually more helpful than a graphic.

These two aspects lead us to the so-called "Cone of Learning." If you google it, you will find several representations of learning pyramids. In broad terms, the Cone of Learning means: The greater your active involvement, the higher the learning success. For example, you learn not as well by reading as when something is shown to you or you discuss it with others.

On the eLearning Industry blog (in English), Lubos Janoska brought the Cone of Learning up to the current state of science. He also chose a beautiful example, which I would like to simplify and present here:

Simplified representation of the Cone of Learning: From mere text to sketches to images and videos. Source: blink.it

The image above contains only the basics of the Cone of Learning (points 1-4). After using videos, other learning formats follow that cannot be represented pictorially as well. Therefore, here are all 10 steps in the Cone of Learning according to Janoska:

1. Written symbols (text)

2. Visual symbols (e.g., graphics)

3. Still images and audio recordings

4. Moving images (videos, animations)

5. Exhibitions (looking without touching)

6. Excursions (experiencing real examples)

7. Demonstrations

8. Role plays (own involvement)

9. Simulations, gamification

10. Direct personal application

The last point is the tip of the Cone of Learning. Janoska describes it as follows: Think of the above diagram and the term "apple." Then take an apple and bite into it. Perceive the apple with all your senses while mentally repeating what you have learned about the apple so far.

Conclusion: How to make your online course successful with visual elements

Let’s briefly review the essential points from this article:

• Choose an LMS that is visually appealing and clear

• Use preview images for your content in the course

• Structure your course clearly, for example with chapters

• Convey your content through storytelling

• Choose appropriate visual media for your content

• Also pay attention to the visual aspect of text content

• Always remember to encourage your participants to take action

…because despite the strong influence of visual elements, one thing remains crucial: The greatest learning effect arises from personal action. So schedule an appointment in your calendar to visually enhance your online course!

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Creating video overlays yourself

As a trainer or coach, you particularly enhance your words in the video by creating graphic overlays. Learn now in the free online course how to achieve this with the software Filmora*. No, we are not sponsored. ;)

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