A problem that providers of online courses and seminars are facing, is how to ensure that their learners are not just skipping through the content straight to the quiz and instead learning the core content of the course. With most of these online courses being mandatory for either school or career advancements, students often skip through boring content and go straight to the quizzes in order to attain the certification or credit that they needed. While the solution could be to increase the quality of the content to ensure the learners are more engaged with the content, simple solutions can be provided to ensure that learners engage with the core content of online courses and learning materials
In his article, Tom Kuhlmann shares simple steps that can be used to ensure online learners are able to engage more with the core content of an online course or seminar. Three easy steps can be implemented when generating online courses and content to ensure maximum engagement from learners.
1. Provide a pre test
A pretest before an online seminar or course can allow educators to determine if a learner already has the knowledge or core competencies that are to be covered within a course. Learners who demonstrate this knowledge and skills in the pre-test can be allowed to skip the course and still get the credit or certification required. Learners who are unable to pass the pre-test, however, gain an understanding of how the course can enhance their knowledge and skills and are directed to completing the course.
2. Developing the need to review the content
Interactive questions can be strategically placed throughout the course testing the learners on core competencies and knowledge within the course. These essential and interactive questions can prompt the learners to be curious and research the content or go back within the course to better understand an important aspect. Therefore, the questions developed must be phrased to prompt curiosity on essential aspects of the course or seminar.
3. Make the quiz the course
Instead of just providing slide after slide or giving content then providing a quiz at the end, instructors can make the quiz the course. To achieve this the questions in the quiz can be provided as the course goes on. For instance, the first slide can be the first question of the quiz and once the learners answer, the content and rationale behind the question is provided. Such a strategy forces the instructors to narrow down on the core content that is to be delivered and also allows learners to better engage with course content.
These three simple strategies provided by Kuhlmann in his article could significantly improve the engagement of learners on online platforms and courses. Online courses and seminars do not have to follow the same old format with minimal engagement but can instead take on more interactive and engaging formats.