Being a part of an e-Learning environment is no easy thing. e-Learning requires a different approach from the usual face-to-face interaction. Communicating with technology usually, encounter a lot of issues and problems. Even skilled communicators tend to overlook what makes e-Learning unique that it requires a different set of skills to successfully master it.
Actively listening plays a key role in the success of every e-Learning unit. Our own cognitive processes would agree as it acts as the trigger point for our brain to do different tasks.
eLearnings can be a success if there is an understanding of the context of every content. Active listening allows your mind to take into account every single detail – gestures, expressions, body languages, colors.
Even the pitch and the tone of your voice is an important factor. After all of the said factors are understood, only then will the brain start absorbing the information.
Enhancing communication e-Learning skills such as active listening among audience should not be scary. Here are six invaluable tips that will help any communicator inch his way to an e-Learning success.
1. Visual Cues
Lack of visual cues is the most often reason why communication issues arise in e-Learning environments. Visual cues are the most helpful aid in getting your message across the one you’re communicating to.
Your body language – your smile, your frown, your tone of voice and even the way you raise your brows – can often make or break your message.
These little visual cues set the impression of your message and the lack of such will make a wrong interpretation. Try to avoid being misunderstood by controlling the tone of your voice and choosing the right words carefully.
Try to avoid being misunderstood by controlling the tone of your voice and choosing the right words carefully.
Controlling Your Tone of Voice
e-Learning communication is often done using written words so make sure you double check the tone of your every word.
You might come off as rude or sarcastic so keep in mind the tone of your words. Practice makes perfect so keep on practicing your tone of voice and words and you’ll eventually get used to it.
Practice makes perfect so keep on practicing your tone of voice and words and you’ll eventually get used to it.
Choose Your Words Carefully
When communicating online, choosing the right words can really go a long way.
Try to be a little extra careful in keeping your language polite. Avoid using overly casual words with people you don’t know that personally as it could cause offense.
Choosing the right words at the right time to the right people will bring positive results not just in e-Learning but also in face-to-face communication.
2. Grab the attention of your audience with interactive learning activities
Using of interactive learning activities will surely grab the attention of your audience. Make it virtually impossible for them to divert their attention away from the discussion by including simulations, graphic scenarios, and presentations.
Try using bright colors, designs, and graphics to put emphasis on what you’d want to highlight. Make them feel like they are part of the discussion.
Do this you’ll make learning easy for them. Let them engage in the learning process and their hundred percent attention will be on you.
This is one tip on how to truly enhance listening skills.
3. Include a summary at the end of every e-Learning unit
Always give a quick overview of everything before every session ends. This allows them to focus on what they should and need to know and is an effective way on how you can encourage active listening among your audience.
Including a summary at the end of every e-Learning unit allows them to focus on what’s important.
Summarization is also a great way to develop and trigger their active listening skill, which makes up an excellent communicator.
4. Create realistic goals and deadlines
e-Learning can be overwhelming at times. There’s the pressure of multitasking that often leads to not doing anything at all.
The best way for online communication to be effective is to always aim for realistic goals and deadlines. Try by starting easy. Do the less daunting tasks every morning. Start by also writing down all your goals and deadlines.
This way, it’ll be easier for you to track down every single item and tick them off your list as soon as you’re done with them. Do this and you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve actually accomplished.
5. Not knowing who to ask for help
The e-Learning industry can often be isolating. Not knowing who to ask for help can make one feel abandoned. But the thing is, there are actually lots of available sources out there that you can tap to lessen the frustration. You can always ask for course-related help or study skills help.
Course-Related Help
Do not be afraid to seek the help of an instructor. If you are struggling with one particular assignment or course requirement and can’t move on, reaching for help from your own instructor. It’s actually not that bad to also ask from other students as they might be able to help you with your dilemma.
Study Skills Help
If you’re having a hard time writing an essay, like in referencing sources and researching information, reach out to the student support of your organization. They may be offering short courses or counseling to help you.
Just don’t be afraid to ask for help. Explore your options, learn new things every day and you’ll discover that there’s more to life.
6. Provide feedback
Providing feedback at the end of each session allows room for improvement.
This will also help you gauge whether your audience understood you or not, whether they are actively listening or not.
This will also allow them a chance to clarify their points or impose questions on certain areas they do not fully understand while giving you the chance to establish a deeper connection between you and your audience. Ultimately, this connection will lead to a successful e-learning process.
Let them ask questions, rephrase thoughts and ideas and to even summarize the whole session. Asking them to rephrase take away points will boost retention on the subject. Provide a constructive feedback to the summaries they’ve provided. By doing this, you’re separating the active from the passive listeners.
Being part of an e-Learning unit should be really fun. But just like everything else, it requires a certain set of procedures and skills to fully master it.
Make it an interactive one. Be sure of what you want to achieve from every unit. Know what to say and what not to say. And most importantly, listen. Listening is not only the job of the audience but also the communicator. Keep in mind that a good communicator knows how to listen.
Action Items: What methods do you use to improve your e-learning communication? What else e-learning communication skills do you think are essential? You can leave your comments or your questions, by clicking here.Â
