Step 6 – Elicit Performance
The purpose of all learning is to retain it and recall when needed.
For elearning, it is tougher to elicit performance. To ensure that the learner retains, and recalls with comprehension, you can use several strategies incorporated into your lesson or content.
Use activities. If you use an authoring package, you can use built-in interactive content like drag and drop; match the pieces, checklists, simple quizzes, etc. between concepts. This will ensure better retention and also allow you to measure learner performance and understanding at every stage.
You can include textbox based activities, where learner can make notes or even answer longer questions. Further you can prompt learners to visit listed websites and make comments or observations on the topic.
This helps learner learn and explore new knowledge.
Step 7 - Providing Feedback
It is important for learner to know whether they have learnt the taught concept or to revisit the topic. Thus, eliciting performance should be followed by providing feedback on performance.
Immediate feedback works best and lets them know how prepared they are for going ahead in the topic.
Feedback in form of correct and incorrect answers to questions or quiz or activity works well.
Confirmatory feedback gives answer as right or wrong.
Remedial feedback will include solution to questions esp, if wrong. You can include reasoning or short explanation if needed.
Step 8 - Assessing Performance
Including percentage element in quizzes allows you to assess performance. This will reinforce learning and allow both the trainer and learner to find out if learning has occurred. Most courses have a passing percentage on basis of end of learning quiz. If the user is not able to clear 60% or more questions or as decided by trainer, then the leaner may have to retake the course.
For this, standard forms of assessments are used. This ensures that they are reliable and follow a pre-established guideline.
These quizzes are in the form of objective questions with MCQ’s; MMC Q’s and other similar question types.
All these questions have only certain right answers. There is no subjectivity like there is in essay type questions.
Step 9 - Enhancing Retention and Transfer
Content should be so designed that the learner is able to apply concepts learned to real and practical life.
For transfer to job and other areas, scenarios mimicking real life help.
Decision tree activities where choices and consequences become evident will also help in retention and proof of concept.
Further follow up to courses such as periodic interaction; further reading; exploratory learning guides will help learner to retain eLearning course f r long time learning.
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