Eyes open! Create visual eye-catchers in the online course.

We learn with our eyes too: That is why your e-learning will be much more successful if you use visual elements. We give you examples and concrete tips for creating your next online course!

We humans are simple creatures

We humans are simple creatures. We are not machines that easily process abstract formulas. That is why your online course should be as easy to process as possible. Provided your participants have brains instead of microchips. Support learning by offering them as many images as possible. In this context, "image" does not always mean a photo, but can cover a whole spectrum: from graphics and emojis to videos. But more on that later!

Storytelling is a great method to secure your participants' attention. This applies to presentations just as much as in an online course, such as during onboarding. But words, whether written or spoken, are not the best choice in storytelling either: visual elements make the content easier to understand. This increases motivation, your participants are more likely to stay on track, and the learning success is greater. Put figuratively, it means:

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

6 visual options for your online course

So, what types of visual elements are there? These 6 options are particularly helpful for online courses:

1. Videos

2. Sketchnotes

3. Images of all kinds

4. Digits

5. Typography

6. Emojis

1. Videos

Let's start with the peak performance: visual elements work best in motion. Use videos in your online course by embedding relevant content from YouTube and other platforms. Or shoot your own short learning videos! This method is highly recommended, especially in coaching. Because the more often your participants see your face in the online course, the closer they feel to you.

Tip: Support the learning process in the video EVEN better and work with overlays. It looks something like this, for example:

2. Sketchnotes

A slightly different kind of visual support in the online course is sketchnotes: these are notes that do not just consist of text, but also contain images and structures. Learn more in this article: Learning with Sketchnotes – Creative Tool for Your Trainings

3. Images

Quite basic, 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 suitable thumbnail images for your content where possible.

4. Digits

Surprisingly effective: use digits instead of writing out numbers. Because of the visual effect, digits stand out more in the text and are therefore easier to remember: an 8 stands out from the rest of the text more than if I simply write "eight".

5. Typography

Let's stay with the text: visual elements start with the written word. We all know – and hate – presentations where we cannot read anything. Either the font is too small or the page is overloaded with text. The font itself should also be chosen carefully: some fonts are harder to read than others.

6. Emojis

Last but not least, a visual eye-catcher of the 21st century: emojis can loosen up your online course. But don't overdo it: after all, you don't want to come across like a love-struck seventh grader! 😍😎😱😂 However, here and there an emoji can direct the eye to important sections.

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

Use a visually appealing LMS

In addition to visual content, the overall impression is also important, of course! On some platforms, no matter how beautiful the content you upload is, your participants might still be put off by the unstructured layout. The following points will help you choose an LMS that suits you:

• Are thumbnail images possible for your content?

• Can you use your own CI?

• Can you divide content (e.g., into chapters)?

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

• As a participant, can you find your way around immediately and recognize the structure of the course?

In the following article you will find a concrete example of how to visually get the best 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 used when learning, the better the learned material sticks. We all know that. As learning experts, we also know that there are different learning types: a visual type learns better with images and videos, an auditory type more through speech and sound recordings. But two aspects are often neglected here:

1. DOING is always the most important thing: even a visual learner anchors what has been learned best by trying it out and practicing it themselves.

2. Within the senses, we can differentiate more precisely: a video, for example, is 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. Roughly summarized, the Cone of Learning means: the greater your active participation, the higher the learning success. For example, you do not learn as well by reading as when something is shown to you or you talk to others about it.

On the eLearning Industry Blog, Lubos Janoska has brought the Cone of Learning up to date with the current state of science. He also chose a nice example that I would like to reproduce here in simplified form:

Simple representation of the Cone of Learning: from the bare written word to sketches, to images and videos. Source: blink.it

The figure above only contains the basis of the Cone of Learning (points 1-4). The use of videos is followed by other learning formats, which, however, can no longer be easily represented visually. 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. Field trips (experiencing real examples)

7. Demonstrations

8. Role plays (own participation)

9. Simulations, gamification

10. Direct personal application

The last point is the peak of the Cone of Learning. Janoska describes it as follows: Think of the diagram above and the word "apple". Then take an apple and bite into it. Experience the apple with all your senses and mentally repeat what you have learned about the apple up to this point.

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

Finally, let's briefly review the key points from this article:

• Choose an LMS that is visually appealing and clear

• Use thumbnail images for your content in the course

• Structure your course clearly, for example with chapters

• Convey your content using storytelling

• Choose suitable visual media for your content

• Pay attention to the visual aspect even with text content

• Always remember to encourage your participants to take action

...because despite the high influence of visual elements, one thing remains very important: the greatest learning effect comes from one's own action. Therefore, it is best to set an appointment in your calendar right now to visually upgrade your online course!