In today’s membership organizations, learning and development are at the forefront.
Associations recognize the value of sharing knowledge with members and employees alike. This heightened attention means there has to be a more exciting way to address the needs of the learner. A learning management system (LMS) offers a great first step. To get the biggest bang for the buck, you need to put its many features to good use to create a fascinating, immersive experience. This powerful combination drives online learner engagement and improves results.
In the following article, we’ll share some valuable pointers for implementing immersive online learning in your membership organization.
- Tap into the power of simulated task situations. Task steps and protocols are easy to forget when people are dealing with numerous responsibilities, competing priorities, and tight deadlines. They gradually become habits and learned behaviors, but refreshers are needed while the material is still unfamiliar. A form of experiential learning, simulation training provides an opportunity for users to identify any shortfalls, such as not having the right tools or lacking certain necessary skills. The key to successful online training simulations is to include as much realism as possible, such as personas that may be encountered or equipment that might be required.
- Tell a story through visuals. As an e-learning strategy, storytelling is a very successful way to convey knowledge. Creating a logical narrative flow with interesting characters and a sound resolution makes learning much more fun than simply presenting dry information. It also has the ability to make abstract concepts memorable, arrange sequences of steps in a logical order, provides context for knowledge, and creates an emotional connection with the information to aid in retention. While there are many ways to tell your story, you’ll get the biggest benefit if you incorporate plenty of visuals. Most likely, the material you’re presenting isn’t particularly gripping. That’s why using photos, narrative videos, animation, or other compelling visuals is so helpful. They readily hold learners’ attention and can convey a lot of information at a glance, as well.
- Add a dose of realism. To make your online course effective, it has to be relevant to learners and realistic to situations they are likely to encounter. It can be tempting to get overly dramatic to make your story more exciting, but attendees will have a harder time applying what they’ve learned. Don’t make the material too straightforward or easy, either, or you run the risk of losing your audience. The key is to balance making it sufficiently challenging and realistic. Study your target audience, learn about the problems they encounter, and the skills they’re often lacking to develop scenarios that will resonate.
- Engage your members with interactive e-learning offerings right from the start. Your organization offers some outstanding educational opportunities to members, but they won’t use these tools unless they’re aware of them. When someone joins your association, incorporate aspects of e-learning as soon as possible. You might implement a digital orientation that involves a simple interactive online course, for example. It could consist of a series of short videos and interactive questions that lays out your mission, guidelines, and a tutorial on navigating the member portal. This is a great way to promote your e-learning offerings and show members how they can immediately start gaining value from your association.
Immersive learning combats today’s increasing distraction through compelling experiences.
It also helps users connect with what they’re learning and create real behavioral change that can be applied in the workplace. What a great way for your members to gain valuable resources that will expand their knowledge base and help them excel in their careers.
As your technology solutions partner, IBC is here to guide you throughout the process of establishing your association’s immersive online learning experiences. Please contact our experienced professionals to get started.
About IBC: At IBC, we have a deep understanding of the critical business needs and processes specific to associations, non-profits, and unions. We ‘get’ your culture, your goals, and what drives you, too. Focused exclusively on and dedicated to delivering the most effective AMS, LMS, and Virtual Event Solutions for our clients, we’re well-versed in identifying and applying the integration techniques that will save you time and money. Since 2001, our cutting-edge products, unparalleled responsiveness, and award-winning services have helped organizations like yours increase their operational and financial performance by leveraging best practices and proven solutions. For more information about IBC, please visit the website at www.ibconcepts.com or call 443.603.0215.
