Managing learner expectations - long courses
Aug 10, 2018
Hey Everyone,
Looking for some tips on how to manage learner expectations with long courses. We design courses on the LMS with several scorm packages that must be worked through to complete the course.
Apart from indicating the duration on the course, I'm looking for any ideas/tips to make the learner feel less overwhelmed when accessing the course for the first time. Its orientation to new systems...which in itself can be intimidating.
I thought of dispersing "coffee break" slides at strategic points throughout the course encouraging them to take a break before continuing - any other suggestions are most welcome.
Kind Regards
3 Replies
I would imagine that the answer depends on the LMS you use but here's some generic thoughts that may help you Jessica though some may not apply:
If all else fails, be up front. Let them know you recognise the potential for intimidation but not to let that put them off. 'Speak' to them as an individual and, if appropriate, let them see your/the trainer's face (but a video is better).
Hope that helps.
I've re-read your problem and realise that the course you refer to may be one long lesson - in which case coffee breaks are essential! However, you could have a menu slide which chunks the content with some form of reward/incentive for progress.
I just finished reworking a a long and detailed graduate course in research for a University in the UK - some of the basics I have a hard times (sometimes remembering) is to design always with the learner in mind.
Basic stuff like keeping graphics and text close together, using informal language (for narration) I've found are important. Keep it simple and interspersing some humor, depending on your audience - adapting for mobile learning and giving opportunities to practice. Changing their venue and adding some activities for practice. Remove or minimize anything that is a distraction. Add some video. This can all reduce cognitive load. My two cents for what its worth :) I had 7 chapters in the first part of the module - some longer than others. What I tried to do is find a "coffee break" type of humorous video and used that to break up the sections.
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