Have you ever found yourself reminiscing about a movie you watched years ago, recalling its stunning visuals, evocative soundtrack, and dramatic plot, only to realize that you can’t remember the movie’s actual message or theme? This same paradox often applies in the world of e-learning. While we might assume that a memorable online course is inherently effective, the reality is far more nuanced.
Think of a flashy online course as a rollercoaster at an amusement park. It’s exciting, thrilling, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. You’re so engaged in the thrill that you remember every loop, every drop, and every turn. However, if the purpose of the ride was to teach you about gravitational physics, you might step off the ride with your heart racing but with no significant grasp of the subject matter. Despite your vivid memory of the experience, its intended educational purpose was lost amidst the thrills.
This analogy illustrates the crux of the matter. While creating memorable e-learning content is important, we must be careful not to conflate memorability with efficiency. Here’s why:
1. Learning Isn’t Always Fun
Education often requires complex cognitive processes like critical thinking, problem-solving, and information synthesis. While we can strive to make learning experiences engaging and enjoyable, the reality is that some topics require more mental exertion than others. If we design e-learning courses solely to be “fun,” we risk oversimplifying the material and thereby losing the necessary depth for true understanding.
2. Memorability Doesn’t Equate to Retention
You might remember an amusing animation or a catchy jingle from an e-learning module, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve retained the critical information. It’s similar to remembering the special effects of a movie but not its plot.
3. An Overemphasis on Engagement Can Distract from Learning
It’s not uncommon for e-learning courses to incorporate game-like elements to make them more engaging. While this can be effective to a point, overemphasis on these features can lead to cognitive overload, where the brain is so busy processing the ‘noise’ that it has trouble focusing on the ‘signal.’ It’s akin to trying to read a book at a rock concert - the environment is so stimulating that you can’t focus on the text in front of you.
So, how can we strike a balance? As instructional designers, we should aim for memorable AND effective e-learning experiences. This requires thoughtful design that focuses on clear learning objectives, uses engaging elements judiciously, and emphasizes active learning over passive consumption. It means creating a well-rounded ‘amusement park’ where the rollercoaster rides are thrilling but also informative, where the ‘fun’ elements serve the greater purpose of facilitating meaningful learning.
In conclusion, while memorable e-learning experiences might seem attractive, they don’t necessarily ensure learning efficiency. As in many areas of life, balance is key. The real metric of e-learning efficiency should be how well it facilitates understanding, knowledge retention, and the ability to apply the learned concepts in real-world scenarios.