Make it interactive, but how? Interactive learning and the instructional design process

"The more interactive, the better." "We need our training to be interactive." "It looks good, but add as much interactivity as possible." Do these ring a bell?

Let's start with a quick question:

Do you think that having more interactive elements will always lead to a better learning experience?

• Yes.
• No.
• Usually yes, but not always.

You can vote for more than one answer.

When it comes to online learning, the emphasis on an engaging learning environment and an interactive learning process stands out as crucial. The shift from a traditional lecture-style approach to fostering small group discussions and collaborative learning experiences has been pivotal. The aim is to enhance learning by actively engaging students rather than passively disseminating information, as highlighted in a report by Kaltura, stating that "82% prefer interactive videos over traditional ones." Source: https://corp.kaltura.com/resources/state-video-enterprise-2019/

However, simply adding interactivity doesn't guarantee an improved learning experience. While interactive elements are pivotal in transitioning learners from passive consumption to active participation, their excessive use or inclusion without purpose can be counterproductive.

The chart and this post is an attempt to provide some ideas about the different goals interactions can have, the different methods of approaching them and some of the possible technical solutions to present them to the learners.

This post aims to outline the significance of various interactive activities in the online learning environment, understanding their diverse roles, methods, and technical implementations. Note that this overview excludes AR/VR activities for simplicity's sake but serves as a starting point to contemplate the purpose, types, and delivery methods of interactions to learners.

1. The goal of the interaction

Knowledge check: These assessments gauge pre- and post-module understanding, offering crucial feedback on the course's effectiveness and the learners' progress.

Enhancing engagement: Creating an engaging course relies on factors like varied content, structure, and format, including interactive elements to maintain learner motivation and focus.

Collecting opinion: Providing learners a platform to share their perspectives aids in refining and personalising training based on feedback received.

2. The method of the interaction

Memory tasks: Recalling previously presented information without generating new content.

Cognitive tasks: Challenging learners to apply learned concepts through inference, association, or logical thinking.

Guessing activities: Stimulating interest by prompting learners to speculate or guess information before presenting the answers.

Gamification: Integrating game elements like scoring or badges to enhance engagement and motivation throughout the course.

3. The technical solution of the interaction

Single or multiple choice questions: Simple interactions involving selecting one or more correct answers from a list, offering efficient development and comprehensive reporting.

Pairing: Linking related elements or concepts, fostering engagement through Rise or Storyline activities.

Text entry: Utilised for knowledge checks or gathering opinions, such as completing missing words within text or maintaining learner journals.

Custom: Incorporating unique tasks using hotspots, such as shape recognition or image selection within Storyline.

Scenario: Simulating real-life situations for contextual learning and reinforcement of acquired knowledge.

Drag and Drop: Engaging activities where learners match or organize elements, providing visual diversity but potentially requiring substantial development time.er great feedback options – for example, giving specific feedback on specific choices.

Which of the interactive elements above do you use the most? (You can choose more than one answer, select "See all results" to see all the choices.)

• Single or multiple choice questions
• Pairing
• Text entry
• Custom

See All Options

You can vote for more than one answer.

Conclusion

The balance between using interactive elements effectively and avoiding overuse is critical. While their absence may lead to disengagement, excessive deployment can create distraction. Varying activities aligned with learning objectives ensures a well-rounded learning experience. Understanding the complexity of integrating information with challenging yet engaging activities is essential for instructional designers and learning experience developers.

How do you plan interactivity in your e-learning courses and which interactive elements do you use most frequently in your courses?

For more insights into e-learning, Instructional Design, Storyline, and learning experience design, check out my other blog posts. If you need assistance with Instructional Design or e-learning development, drop us a message.