As recession sets in, businesses are bracing for turbulent times ahead. Having a robust digital learning strategy in place is essential to help your company weather the storm. GuyKat are experts in planning, creating and implementing engaging eLearning that maximises the potential of your workforce. We asked our team for their top tips to get the best from your digital learning strategy in 2023.
1. Hannah Quinton, Head of eLearning, advises getting qualified help to write your storyboard:
“Good storyboarding is the key to great content. A well-structured storyboard will help you validate whether the concept is working or not, and determine the direction the course is going to take.”
At this crucial initial stage, errors related to narration, media, and other relevant details are identified. It also determines the entire structure of the course along with the tone and how learners will interact with the content. Getting this part right early on saves time, effort and money.
GuyKat has experienced instructional designers and developers that can help visualise your project. Get in touch with an expert today.
2. Joshua Haque, eLearning Designer, says refining & finalising a module’s audio script early on can save a lot of time:
“It is much more difficult and time-consuming to amend the narration after the eLearning module is built.”
As part of creating the foundation for each module the audio needs to be signed off. You don’t want to rush the process, but it’s in everyone’s best interests to finalise the audio script before it is narrated by a voiceover artist. Amendments to the audio further down the line can also impact design and functionality, which will add to the cost and cause delays.
3. Guy McEvoy, CEO, encourages you to consider which is the right online learning tool for your organisation.
There are several content authoring tools available on the market, choosing which one is right for your organisation depends on your resources, budget and required learning outcomes.
We have partnered with FLOWSPARKS, a self-authoring tool that enables you to quickly update your content without having to go back to the original content/eLearning provider.
“When clients build online learning in-house, they usually want to focus on the content itself. They don’t want to invest time upskilling as an IT developer, graphic artist, or instructional designer. FLOWSPARKS solves that problem.” Guy McEvoy, CEO.
Find out more about FLOWSPARKS here.
4. Localisation Project Manager, Georgina Bartlett, recommends considering localisation from the outset:
“Localisation takes into consideration nuanced cultural differences ensuring that your eLearning will be fully understood, effective and relevant.”
If your company operates in different countries you may need to translate your digital learning into several languages. Going one step further and considering the localisation of your content will help you ensure your different audiences are getting the same message.
At GuyKat, we offer 3 stress-free translations and localisation services:
- Full translation of an eLearning module
- Implementation of your in-house translation
- Subtitles
Get in touch to find out more.
5. Jayne Tomkins, eLearning Designer, says audience research is a fundamental part of the process:
“Knowledge refresh audiences might only require access to specific areas of interest. Whereas new starters with a low existing knowledge base might need an end-to-end learning experience.”
When creating eLearning, you should have the target audience in mind. Spend time researching your audience. Take into account their learning style, level of knowledge, and what they will be expecting from the course. Having this information makes a big difference not just to the content but to the way the eLearning module functions.
Read more: Tailoring your learning content to your audience
6. Benjamin White, Project Manager, suggests setting clear ways from the outset to measure success:
“Metrics will be different in each situation however we recommend you base your analysis on quantifiable outcomes related to performance rather than just the completion of a click-through module.”
Assessing ROI (Return On Investment) from your digital learning is essential. It will enable you to figure out what learning methods are most effective within your organisation and help you make informed decisions about budget allocation.
When working with a digital learning company always advise how you are going to measure success as this will help inform how content and courses are designed.
7. Platform and Localisation Specialist, Carris Wilson, advises you to consider diversity within the workplace, now and in the future:
“Accessibility is super important when putting together a digital learning strategy. However, there are two, often interchanged, factors that must be considered. It’s important to understand the needs of your audience, as well as any challenges they may be facing currently and in the future.”
Inclusivity within your online material may include considering different learning styles, localisation of content and ensuring the eLearning flows in a logical manner.
‘Accessible eLearning’ means that any learner, no matter their needs, can fully experience your courses. It can be as easy as ensuring there is audio, a transcript and captions for your learners. Some other simple tips include adding Alt Text to your visuals and checking colour contrast to ensure readability.
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Welcome to GuyKat. We are a multi-award-winning solutions provider. We work with some of the world’s most prestigious brands, our consultants build engaging content and create intuitive learning platforms. Based in Birmingham, UK with an office in Tampa, USA, we have deployed localised solutions in more than 50 countries. Our content team thrives in ‘making complex information seem simple’, our platform team are experts in making content easy to access and our clients engage with us as a ‘partner’ rather than a ‘supplier’. We are proud partners of LMS, Docebo, and content authoring tool, FLOWSPARKS.