How To Create An Attention-Grabbing eLearning Course Introduction
Integrating multimedia elements, creating informative content, and ensuring ease of navigation are all high on the list of priorities when designing an eLearning course. However, the number one spot should always go to introduction development. The most important part of any eLearning course is, without a doubt, the introduction. It's what draws the learners in and gets them engaged and inspired to play an active role in their own eLearning experience. For this very reason, all eLearning professionals should know how to create eLearning course introductions that are engaging and inspiring for every learner.
1. Start it off with a relevant story.
Stories create immersion and build an immediate emotional connection; this is particularly true if the learners can be related to the story. Include characters that learners will find interesting or inspiring, and ensure that it conveys a message that will get them motivated to learn. If you do choose to develop a storytelling introduction for your eLearning course make sure that it's relevant. Even the most emotionally driven tale won't offer any real value to the learner if it doesn't tie into the subject matter. Another word of warning that you'll want to keep in mind when creating story-based eLearning course introductions is to keep it short and simple. Don't make it too involved or too lengthy, as it isn't really intended to be the star of the eLearning course. For example, your story shouldn't go into great detail about the back story of one of the characters or be so verbose that it confuses them.
2. Use a multimedia presentation to introduce the eLearning course.
A video presentation can entertain and engage your learners from the very beginning. You do not really need to create an eLearning presentation that is too lengthy; one that lasts just a few minutes can be highly effective. In the video, mention any important information that the learners may want to know about the eLearning course material, and what key pieces of knowledge they'll be taking away. You'll also want to give them a sense of the theme or the tone that they can expect from the upcoming eLearning modules within the video introduction itself. Most importantly, however, make it fun and exciting, while still retaining an air of professionalism. You want them to be motivated to learn, but you also want to make them aware that the eLearning course is going to offer them real value.
3. Introduce them to a character.
By starting your eLearning course with a character or avatar introduction, the learners will realize that they are going to be guided through the modules by this character. This may offer them support when they need to absorb important information as they progress. To illustrate, you can use free stock images to offer them a visual representation of the character, and develop friendly but informative text blocks that highlight important concepts, offer helpful tips, or give the learner an overview of what lies ahead. The character can be used throughout the eLearning course, serving as a sort of virtual facilitator, so that you can focus the learners’ attention and provide them with the best possible experience.
4. Highlight learning objectives by using fonts and graphics.
If you're going for a more simple and straightforward approach when creating your introduction, why not use creative fonts and graphics to make it more exciting and engaging. For example, you can highlight learning objectives and goals, or even key lesson-points that you'll be covering, by using custom fonts , illustrations, images, or graphics. This will not only help to grab the attention of your audience, but make the overview stand out from the rest of the eLearning course to emphasize its importance.
5. Ask a thought provoking question.
Sometimes a simple but powerful thought provoking question can be the ideal eLearning course introduction. For instance, you can ask the learners a question that makes them ponder their motives for taking the eLearning course, or allows them to truly think about how they can benefit from the learning objectives once they've completed it. Such introductions will often catch them off-guard, which make them excited and interested about what's to follow. Just be sure that the question does tie into the subject matter, as relevancy is always key.
6. Create a headline that demands their attention.
There are two key components to creating a headline that grabs your learners from the very beginning and demands their attention. Firstly, you'll need to focus on the content itself. Make it catchy, intriguing, and powerful, if at all possible. Also, make it emotionally compelling. Tell them what they are going to get from the eLearning course or why they should be motivated to learn. Above all else, be concise and creative. Secondly, concentrate on the way you present the content. Use creative custom fonts, that are legible of course, eye catching colors, and relevant graphics.
7. Offer an interactive overview.
Last but not least, you can offer your learners an interactive overview. Create a word cloud that your learners can click in order to get a general sense of what is to come. This makes them feel as though they are an active part of the learning process and removes the element of surprise from the equation. It also grabs their attention, due to the fact that they can get excited about the knowledge or skills they'll be exploring throughout the eLearning course.
Creating eLearning course introductions doesn't have to be time consuming or complicated. With these tips at the ready you can develop highly effective introductions that grab your learner's attention and get them motivated to learn, regardless of the subject matter.
Last but not least, I highly encourage you to read the following articles:
- The 7 Steps of eLearning Course Preparation Process
In this article, I'll share the 7 things you need to do before you start designing and developing your eLearning course. Each of these steps can help you to get the most out of the eLearning course preparation process, so that you can get your eLearning course off to an amazing start. - Awesome e-Learning Course Guide
Your guide to designing and implementing awesome eLearning courses. At this article you will find the top 10 tips for creating awesome eLearning courses that are effective, engaging, and immersive. - The Ultimate eLearning Course Design Checklist
Looking for a comprehensive "must-have" eLearning checklist for your next eLearning Course Design project? This is a checklist that every eLearning professional should have on hand, especially since there are so many steps involved in the eLearning course design process.
