How to Fix Long and Boring E-Learning Courses

A simple fix for hours-long courses

Like many of you, I dread the prospect of hours-long online training courses. They’re usually not the best learning experiences, which ultimately means the training will have minimal impact.

But don’t worry – there’s a simple fix for this issue: break the e-learning course into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Here’s why creating shorter modules is key:

• Better learning. People generally learn better from shorter courses. Knowing there’s no long commitment is a huge motivation booster.
• Focused content. Many courses have unnecessary content. By making modules smaller, it’s easier to focus on what truly supports the learning objectives.
• Avoid mental fatigue. Long courses create mental fatigue, which hinders the learning experience.

I always advocate for smaller courses. A long two-hour course? Not many people will learn effectively from that.

A real-world regulatory course example

Last year, we had to take a mandatory two-hour course. The content was fine, but not a single person I talked to enjoyed the experience. Although there was some positive feedback regarding the scenarios, for the most part, the course included a lot of the worst e-learning practices: it was too long, everything was locked down, and much of the content was irrelevant.

What would I have changed in the course?

The two hours was a regulatory requirement. But that was two hours annually – 120 minutes. 120 minutes is 10 minutes per month.

A simple solution to make a regulatory course more interesting

I would have created twelve, ten-minute modules built around interesting decision-making scenarios.

• Why decision-making scenarios? They present content in a story-like manner, making it more engaging. Definitely better than screen after screen of click-and-read content. It’s also the one part of the course that received positive feedback. So, why not make the 10-minute modules as engaging as possible?

• Manageable time commitment. 10 minutes isn’t a big time commitment. It’s very manageable, and there’s a good chance there would be less dread entering a course knowing it’ll be completed quickly.

• Flexibility. Twelve 10-minute modules provide a lot of flexibility. Learners could take one course each month, three every quarter, or wait until the end of the year to take them all. It gives them more control over their learning journey.

Studies show the benefits of spaced training, where content is broken into smaller chunks and spread over time. It’s a better learning experience and aids with retention.

The bottom line is simple: creating shorter, more interesting modules not only enhances the learning experience but also gives learners more freedom and control over their learning journey. Engaged learners learn better, and that ultimately impacts the effectiveness of the training program.