Science-based learning strategies are methods that have been validated by empirical research and have been found to be effective in promoting learning. Implementing these strategies in your eLearning design can effectively build employee skills, increase engagement and retention, and maximize productivity in the following ways:
- Self-directed learning: In eLearning, learners can control their own pace, taking an active role in their education. This form of active learning enhances the internalization of new information, resulting in better skill acquisition and improved productivity.
- Spaced repetition: Asynchronous learning allows learners to review course content at their own convenience. This flexibility enables the implementation of spaced repetition, where learners review material at gradually increasing intervals. This approach can help transition knowledge from short-term to long-term memory, reducing the need for frequent retraining and boosting productivity.
- Interleaved practice: eLearning courses can integrate a variety of problems or skills within each module. Mixing different types of problems or tasks can enhance problem-solving abilities, making employees more versatile and adaptive, which in turn increases productivity.
- Elaborative interrogation and self-explanation: These techniques, integrated into e-learning, encourage learners to explain the material in their own words and understand why it is accurate. This can deepen understanding, facilitating the merging of new knowledge with existing knowledge, thereby improving problem-solving abilities and productivity.
- Automated and Peer Feedback: eLearning can offer regular and automated feedback through quizzes and assessments. Also, peer feedback can be enabled through discussion forums, enhancing the learning process by providing insights into areas of strength and those requiring improvement.
- Growth Mindset: Encouraging a growth mindset within the e-learning environment—the belief that abilities can be developed with effort and perseverance—can foster resilience and a passion for learning, essential for significant achievement.
- Collaborative Learning: Despite being asynchronous, e-learning platforms can facilitate collaboration through discussion boards, group projects, and peer reviews. This can increase engagement and retention, while improving teamwork and communication skills.
- Learning by teaching: E-learning platforms can offer opportunities for learners to present webinars or lead discussion threads, reinforcing their understanding and retention of the material.
- Mindfulness and Stress Management Modules: E-learning platforms can include courses or modules on mindfulness and stress management, which can improve focus, memory, creativity, and overall mental well-being, reducing the risk of burnout and staff turnover.
- Personalized Learning Paths: eLearning can tailor the learning experience to fit each learner's unique needs, accommodating different learning styles and paces. This can enhance engagement, retention, and productivity.
By integrating these science-based learning strategies into eLearning programs, organizations can foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. This leads to improved employee satisfaction, increased engagement, and higher productivity.
