What do you do if your e-learning materials lack visual aids?

Use sites like Pixabay for free images. In Google images, search for cc ( Creative Commons) images. And yes, the images should be relevant to the text. Ideally, one should also choose images that blend with the overall layout in terms of colour or type for better aesthetics. Try not to use graphic images ( unless you are using scientific drawings) and photographs in the same course ( never on the same page)

Create own visual aids using simple graphic design tools by use of Canva, Adobe Spark to develop visually appealing graphics. Start finding plenty of stock images and websites with high-quality graphics related to the topic. Incorporate diagrams, infographics, Tools and Screen recording tools like OBS Studio or Screencast-O-Matic. Develop own visual aids related to the topic. This not only helps learning but also fosters a sense of collaboration and engagement. Explore content such as quizzes, and simulations to enhance engagement. Explore platforms like H5P to create interactive content without much technical knowledge. Collaborate with graphic designers and instructional designers to create visually engaging materials related to content.

I ask my daughter to design the visuals. Useful to have a great UI/UX designer in the family. Visuals need to be clear and convey the message and data without bias or from an abstract perspective.

The Mindmaps can also represent schemes that help the student to better understand the concepts and their connections, and with the advancement of technologies, these maps can bring multimedia resources into their connections, further expanding the field of knowledge within that content and diversifying the way of learning.

Up the impact and digestibility of chart-type data by using a more infographic approach. Lots of tools can help do this like Adobe Express, Canva, or Visme. Even PowerPoint of Google Slides make great platforms to build them in! Google for examples and inspiration, and then try to layout something similar.

Charts like pie charts, bar graphs, and flowcharts simplify complex data, making it easier to understand and engaging for learners. By using basic spreadsheet software to create and integrate these visuals into your e-learning materials, you enhance comprehension and retention of difficult concepts.

Simplify complex data for corporate learners through interactive charts. For instance, in a finance course, use interactive graphs to visualize financial trends or budgeting principles, allowing employees to grasp financial concepts more easily.

This is a very effective tool that shows the different levels of interaction by taking into consideration each of the different factors involved in a question, situation or problem.

Videos are great for boosting learning engagement. What works even better is the use of a human narrator in the video. In this case, engagement is 35% higher compared to traditional videos. You can record the video yourself or use Gen AI tools to create your digital avatar and generate learning content at scale without the need to shoot a video each time.

Dive into the new era of e-learning with AI tools like Sora, which transform educational content through dynamic visual aids. These tools enhance learning by realistically simulating complex mechanical processes and architectural designs, such as the assembly of a combustion engine or the construction of the Colosseum, far surpassing traditional methods. This immersive approach not only displays but also explains the mechanics of how things work, adapting to various learning styles and references to make complex subjects engaging and accessible. I'm excited to see how this technology will transform our educational systems, offering a more personalized and impactful learning experience. AI's potential in education is truly transformative.

If my e-learning materials lack visual aids, Incorporating video content, as suggested, is an excellent strategy. Videos not only cater to various learning styles but also add a dynamic quality to the material that text alone can't achieve. Whether it's through demonstrating a process, narrating a slideshow, or featuring expert interviews, videos can offer a more immersive learning experience. I’ve seen firsthand how concise, well-chosen videos can clarify complex concepts and enhance student engagement. It’s crucial, however, that these videos are directly aligned with the learning objectives to prevent them from becoming mere distractions. Fantastic insight, and a valuable tip for anyone developing digital learning materials!

The good news is that there are AI tools that easily generate very interactive videos with great visuals relevant to your content. Pick a section of your e-learning that can best be delivered by a video and this will greatly reduce the monotony in your presentation as well as increasing your learner engagement.

Los podcasts son herramientas poderosas en el e-learning gracias a su accesibilidad, versatilidad y formato de audio. Permiten a los estudiantes aprender de manera flexible, adaptándose a sus horarios y ritmos, mientras que su naturaleza auditiva facilita el acceso a personas con dificultades visuales o de lectura. Esto no solo amplía su alcance, sino que también promueve la inclusión, haciendo que la educación sea más accesible y atractiva para todos.

Audio helps make your eLearning program more accessible as some learners prefer listening to the material on the go or while taking notes. Having high-quality audio gear is essential to ensuring good learner engagement and retention. For budget-conscious subject matter experts, simple lavalier microphones that connect directly to your computer or phone can be a great choice. If you're looking for higher audio quality, consider options like the Sennheiser wireless microphone system, which delivers professional-grade audio.

I would love to share my approach to language learning and how working with audio can be fundamental. From infancy, we learn through our ears even before we can speak or read. This auditory skill is essential and natural, and I believe it should be an integral part of learning any language, especially online. At CuCu Spanish, we have seen how the use of audio can significantly enhance the learning experience and language retention. I am committed to this methodology and firmly believe in its effectiveness for our students.

Audio is a great asset for inclusion, but also are subtitles so in my experience using text to speech it's a great way to cut off development times, and edits too.

Audio brings it all to life. Sometimes all you need to do is hear something to understand it better. Although not a replacement for seeing people face to face, the audio does need to be high end and predict what kind of questions people would ask, and ensure these are answered.

Don't just use quizzing as a "gate" to confirm knowledge transfer, the feedback your quiz gives is a very valuable part of the learning, don't pass up the opportunity! Make sure your quizzes have very detailed and helpful feedback on both the right and wrong answers, if the learner gets a question wrong they should be given the right answer and an explanation. And on right answers, make sure the reasoning is explained too!

Quizzes for me are two fold. We can use them to assess skill proficiency or we can use them assess knowledge up take at the end but we need to be conscious how we use these.

Interactive quizzes are key to consolidating learning and ensuring engagement, a strategy we frequently employ at Zillion eLearning Corp. For example, in our compliance and technical training modules, we incorporate quizzes that challenge learners to apply concepts in simulated scenarios. This not only tests their understanding but also enhances retention through active recall and problem-solving. By using tools like Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate, we create quizzes that provide instant feedback, allowing learners to identify areas for improvement and revisit material as needed.

The interactive quiz associated with content blocks or case studies, with targeted feedback and different outcomes according to each response, can be challenging and motivating for the student. It also prompts the student to reflect on what has just been studied or revisit parts that may have been misunderstood. Targeted feedback providing additional content, along with a video explanation, can greatly aid in the assimilation process of what has been learned.

The best feedback you can get is from your learners. We suggest creating a small piece of training and getting feedback from learners. Some learners will feel overwhelmed with too many graphics and effects. Others will be bored without them. It's important to know your learners' preferences to design an effective eLearning program. You can use tools like surveys and VideoAsk to collect feedback.

Seek feedback from learners on the effectiveness of the visual aids in enhancing their learning experience. Use learner feedback to iteratively improve your visual aids and make adjustments based on their preferences and learning needs. By incorporating visual aids strategically and thoughtfully into your e-learning materials, you can enhance comprehension, retention, and learner engagement, ultimately improving the effectiveness of your e-learning courses.

Feedback is important not just for the courses we create but also as a follow up to the learners. What were the key takeaways, and can the learners apply what they have learned.

Enhance visuals and animations Structure the text on the slides, simplify paragraphs, and use different colors and font sizes to emphasize key points. Incorporate animations to reveal content sequentially as the presenter speaks, keeping the audience focused on the current topic being discussed.

Generative AI can leverage real-time learner feedback to dynamically adapt interactive instructional materials, continuously tailoring visuals, multimedia, and interactive elements to optimally align with each individual's learning style and subject competency.

One thing that can help text heavy e-learning content is if you make it conversational, use active voice, and address the learner on first person.

Case study methods could be a wonderful means to boost up the learning opportunities. This method not only enhances the knowledge but also provides an inspiration to the students in real time.

Understanding whether a piece of content calls for a visual aid comes from experience. A qualified eLearning specialist or Quality Assurance Manager can easily tell when the visual aid is missing based on the context of the material. When preparing for your video shoot, make sure that you have all of your slides fully completed. Do not include too many words on your slides; rather, focus on unique graphics, tables, and illustrations that assist in visualizing the material you're teaching. Having your graphics ready before the shoot will ensure that you walk your learners through the meaning of each of them rather than adding graphics without an explanation into the final video product.

That’s why we need instructional designers. Visual aids are not going to help but make your presentation look crowded if there is no relevance and engagement intended.

If you have designed an incredible learning experience, you could have avoided this happening. A learning experience should be 3D. This means as e-learning developers we have to think BEYOND the screen. So - assuming you have designed an incredible experience and part of that is text that they read - let them read it! Learners don’t like to read on screens - so give them options like a PDF they can download or an audio version they can listen to on their way to work. Don’t FORCE visuals - you don’t need an illustrated book all of the time. You lose something when you look at just the materials and try to make them pretty. Make them meaningful and relevant.