Here's how you can embark on creative e-learning projects.

Tie learning objectives to business goals whenever possible, and make learning objectives specific. This will get stakeholders on the same page and ensure you're creating the right learning experiences.

We create e-learning for companies. Before each project, we ensure that we are aligned on the most important goal of an e-learning project. Such goals can be: - Raising awareness - Ensuring that learners can apply a new skill - Inspire learners about what's possible I always ask clients about their number 1 goal, because this goal subsequently influences all creative decisions we make. It has been a very useful strategy, because both my clients and I can refer back to the number 1 goal whenever we are in doubt.

From the learning objectives, you'll know what learners need to be able to DO by the end of the course, so the first step in designing the course is to think about how learners will practice these key skills. Then, plan to give learners only what they NEED to know in order to DO. "Nice to have" information can be provided as supplemental job aids, reference articles in a wiki, or online Help Center. The most engaging learning is learning that challenges the audience to use their brains and complete a realistic task with the right context cues and skillful feedback (sometimes immediate, sometimes delayed). The actives should also get progressively more challenging, until the level of mastery required by the business needs is attained.

We know from behavioral science research that a screen full of text makes it harder to learn than a screen with visuals that are explained by a VoiceOver. Follow the evidence! Be consistent in visual conventions and make sure the visual designs are modern and fresh. Getting visuals right can go a long way to engaging learners and building trust in the professionalism of your L&D team.

As I mentioned above, always design the interactions first, then determine the learning points that need to be presented (or provided in real-world reference contexts, to be leveraged both during the learning experience and on the job). This way, you won't end up info-dumping and then tacking on interactivity as an afterthought.

Elearning must be proofed and tested at every stage of development so that stakeholders can review it without getting distracted by bugs and errors, so don't wait until just before launching to test thoroughly. Plan with the business from the beginning of the project to do a pilot run of the course if you want to ensure there's enough time built into the project plan for this activity.

To ensure a creative e-learning project resonates with learners, fostering engagement is crucial. Incorporating interactive discussions, peer-to-peer interactions, and gamification elements like leaderboards can cultivate a vibrant learning community. By encouraging active participation beyond content consumption, learners are motivated to apply their new knowledge effectively and collaborate with peers, enhancing the overall learning experience.

In addition to promoting engagement, one may consider the following aspects: 1-Accessibility: Ensure your e-learning project is accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities, by incorporating accessible design principles and tools. 2-Analytics and Feedback: Implement mechanisms to gather learner analytics and feedback throughout the project lifecycle. This data can guide iterative improvements and validate learning outcomes. 3- Technology Integration: Leverage emerging technologies such as AI, VR, or AR to enhance interactivity and immersion, making learning experiences more dynamic and impactful.