How To Customize Curated Content For eLearning
The curated content that you’ve chosen for your next eLearning course may be geared toward your target audience but it still falls into the “one-size-fits-all” category. The original content creator wasn’t aware of your learning objectives or desired outcomes, nor the individual needs of your online learners.
Fortunately, there are ways to add personal touches to your curated content so that it aligns with your organizational goals. Not to mention, to give online learners the tools they need to fill the gaps and hone their strengths.
1. Organize And Prioritize Your Online Training Assets
Before you can customize curated content, it’s a good idea to evaluate the online resources you have and set your priorities. Take stock of the online training content that you have on hand to see which online training resources align with your current learning objectives. This may be a time-consuming task if you have a vast database of curated materials.
However, organization and planning will help you reduce eLearning content development time, as you’ll be able to focus on the eLearning content that suits your online learners’ needs and goals instead of trying to modify resources that aren’t truly relevant or require a great deal of time and energy to repurpose.
2. Purchase A Robust Rapid eLearning Authoring Tool
Rapid eLearning authoring tools are a must-have, as they will allow you to add, remove, or customize certain elements of your curated content. For example, integrate your logo into an online training presentation so that it blends with the rest of your eLearning course design. However, there is a word of warning in regards to rapid eLearning authoring tools.
You should verify the usage rights for the curated content, as well as give credit where credit is due. For example, include links to the content creator’s site and determine if it is lawful for you to brand the online training materials.
3. Create Personalized Online Training Libraries
Careful organization also enables you to create personalized online training repositories with the curated content at your disposal. For instance, an online resource catalog that covers skills, tasks, and job duties for your customer service employees.
Online learners can quickly access the online training library when the need arises, instead of having to scour the entire database to find pertinent online training materials. The key is categorizing the online training repository to make the learning process more convenient. For example, break it into sections that explore different aspects of the topic.
4. Use Branded eLearning Templates
The beauty of branded eLearning templates is that you can reuse them time and again without having to devote additional resources to build the materials from scratch. Better still, you can conveniently add curated content to these eLearning templates to develop customized resources.
Once again, make sure that you are able to brand the materials based on the usage rights. If necessary, contact the creator directly to ask for written permission. There are plenty of free eLearning templates online, or you can check to see if your rapid eLearning authoring tool offers built-in eLearning templates and themes.
5. Incorporate Your Own Images And Graphics
One of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to customize curated content is to add your own media, such as images, charts, or infographics that tie into the subject matter.
For example, the video demo you created last year is the perfect complement to the article or trend timeline you just curated. In fact, you can even curate media to pair with the written content that you obtained from reliable sources.
You may also find some useful images, graphics, and audio in your rapid eLearning authoring tool library.
6. Structure It With A Story
There are times when curated content isn’t able to stand on its own. It needs to be accompanied by an example or anecdote to create that all-important emotional connection. In these cases, it’s best to structure it with a story that puts everything into context. For example, provide a real-world example or case study that includes links to relevant online training resources.
These resources can be third-party articles, videos, and other eLearning content that ties into the core learning objectives and enhances understanding. Just make certain that the story doesn’t distract online learners from the primary purpose. Instead, it should support the desired behaviors and give them an example to follow.
7. Break It Into Bite-Sized eLearning Modules And Activities
Another great way to cut costs and improve memory retention is to break your curated content into bite-sized resources. As an example, use your rapid eLearning authoring tool to divide the presentation into distinct sections.
This offers online learners the chance to focus on specific topics or tasks whenever it’s most convenient, rather than sitting through the entire presentation when they are pressed for time.
You can even develop individual eLearning activities or assessments using the curated content. For instance, invite online learners to watch a portion of the video and then participate in a group collaboration project.
8. Bookend The Curated Online Training Content With Assessments And Surveys
Online learners must be able to digest the information in order to benefit from the eLearning course. That involves applying what they’ve learned, active recalling the key ideas, and summarizing the stats.
Online learners must be able to digest the information in order to benefit from the eLearning course.Share on
Thus, you might consider a pre-assessment to test their current knowledge, followed by a final assessment after they consume the customized curated online training content.
You can also bookend it with eLearning activities that tie into the topic, such as branching scenarios and simulations that provide contextual experience. As an example, invite them to read the curated article or story and then have them participate in a serious game that tests their newfound knowledge and skills.
These 8 tips can help you customize curated content to improve learner engagement and knowledge retention. Your organization is spared the time and expense of creating everything from scratch, and your audience gets the personalized resources they require to reach their goals.
Are you looking for extra tips on how to curate amazing eLearning content? Read the article 7 Tips To Curate Amazing eLearning Content to discover 7 top tips to curate amazing eLearning content for your eLearning course.
