Struggling to Make Courses More Engaging – Any Practical Tips?

I once heard Dr. Michael Allen give a speech about computer-based training (as it was called in the pre-internet days). He said something like this:

Alternate navigation is not interaction. 

In other words, clicking a button on the page/slide to reveal more content (instead of clicking the main Next button) isn't an interaction in the engaging sense of the term. 

True interactions require the 3 C's: context, choice, and consequence. Describe a situation, offer potential options, and give feedback based on the user's choice. That provides a real back-and-forth interaction. 

So, as much as possible, connect the content to desired behaviors. That typically involves storytelling/scenarios. 

Ideally, that's all presented in a pleasing-looking format. But a super-high-production-value design isn't required when the instructional design is strong.

Also, remember that Storyline slides and Rise blocks are "free." When you simply have to use a lotta text (compliance!), it's usually better to chunk it into smaller pieces.