How can you use media to improve your training?

1 Choose media that aligns with your objectives

Before you decide what media to use, you need to define your learning objectives and outcomes. What do you want your learners to know, do, or feel after the training? How will you measure their progress and performance? Based on your answers, you can choose media that supports and complements your content and methods. For example, if your objective is to demonstrate a skill or procedure, you might use a video or a simulation. If your objective is to elicit feedback or opinions, you might use a poll or a chat.

2 Use media to engage and motivate learners

Media can help you create an engaging and motivating learning environment by appealing to different senses, preferences, and styles. You can use media to grab attention, stimulate curiosity, and generate interest. For example, you might use an image, a quote, or a story to introduce a topic or a problem. You can also use media to vary the pace, tone, and format of your training. For example, you might use a quiz, a game, or a case study to break up a lecture or a discussion.

3 Use media to reinforce and extend learning

Media can help you reinforce and extend learning by providing multiple representations, examples, and applications of your content. You can use media to illustrate, explain, or summarize key concepts and principles. For example, you might use a diagram, a chart, or a table to show relationships, patterns, or trends. You can also use media to provide practice, feedback, and reflection opportunities. For example, you might use a scenario, a role play, or a portfolio to apply and demonstrate learning.

4 Select media that is appropriate and accessible

When you select media for your training, you need to consider the appropriateness and accessibility of your choices. You need to ensure that your media is relevant, accurate, and credible. You also need to ensure that your media is respectful, inclusive, and ethical. For example, you might avoid media that is outdated, biased, or offensive. You also need to ensure that your media is compatible, available, and easy to use. You also need to ensure that your media is accessible to all learners, regardless of their abilities, devices, or locations. For example, you might provide captions, transcripts, or alternative formats for your media.

5 Integrate media with your content and methods

When you integrate media with your content and methods, you need to balance and blend them in a coherent and meaningful way. You need to avoid overloading, distracting, or confusing your learners with too much or irrelevant media. You also need to avoid relying on media as a substitute for your instruction or interaction. For example, you might limit the number and length of your media elements. You also might provide clear instructions, transitions, and connections between your media and your content and methods.

6 Evaluate and improve your media use

After you use media in your training, you need to evaluate and improve your media use based on feedback and data. You need to collect and analyze feedback from your learners, peers, and stakeholders about the effectiveness and impact of your media use. You also need to collect and analyze data from your media sources, platforms, and tools about the usage and outcomes of your media use. For example, you might use surveys, interviews, or observations to gather feedback. You also might use analytics, reports, or dashboards to gather data. Based on your findings, you can make adjustments and improvements to your media use for future training sessions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?