filename: mindboost-creative-idea-lightbulb.jpg

The impact of irresistible learning design.

To create irresistible learning, we want learners to use their problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills, rather than just delivering information to them. People learn by doing and so, at Mindboost, we have no desire to create meaningless ‘click next’ experiences which keep learners in a passive state.

Our goal is about engaging people, whether through storytelling, microlearning, social learning or gamification to get stuck in and give it a go. And that means that what they learn will ultimately stick with them because they have been part of an active experience.

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”

Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu

Top tips on how to implement effective elearning

1. Scenario-based learning

Immerses a learner in a realistic narrative where their decisions have consequences, and they can see these play out.

Difficult conversations

Follow Chiquita as she has a difficult conversation with her employee. You’ll need to help her make the right decisions to help it go smoothly and be prepared for some tricky responses from the employee.

Process implementation

Walk through the steps of the new manufacturing process with Steven. You’ll need to make sure you complete the tasks in the right order otherwise chaos could ensue!

Onboarding

We’ve created a virtual experience to simulate your first day in the shop. Interact with as many of your colleagues as possible to find out more about what they do.

2. Scaffolding

Involves providing a series of temporary support for an inexperienced learner, then gradually removing them as the learner gains mastery.

Software training course

The learner might first take a guided tour, with pop-ups that explain the features. These tips are reduced until the learner can compete tasks independently.

Food safety course

A learner takes a quiz which contains various compliance questions, if they answer incorrectly (on cross-contamination for example) they are pushed out to the training on this topic.

Communication course

Learners join a simulated phone conversation with a customer. At the beginning, prompts and suggested phrases are provided but as they progress these lessen.

3. Metacognition

Involves explicitly teaching learners to ‘think about their thinking’. It helps them develop self-awareness and strategies to improve their learning process. 

Pre-training confidence check

Before starting a course a learner is asked to answer a few questions about the topic and rate their confidence in their answers. This helps students accurately assess what they already know and what they need to focus on, guiding their attention more effectively. 

Post-training surveys

These prompt learners to explicitly reflect on their thought processes, strategies, and performance. The idea is to move beyond a simple satisfaction rating to a deeper self-assessment of how they learned and what they gained.

Digital reflection journals

After completing a topic a learner reflects on their learning process using their journal. Targeted questions encourage self-reflection related to their own experience and can be reviewed with a manger/mentor for further development.

4. Gamification

Applies game design elements, like points, badges, and leaderboards, to learning activities. It increases motivation and reinforces key concepts through interactive, competitive experiences. 

Sales training and performance management

Sales teams use a real-time, gamified dashboard that tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) and drives friendly competition. A leaderboard displays rankings based on performance.

Compliance training – cybersecurity

Instead of a dull, passive lecture, employees complete a gamified “escape room” challenge. Employees must correctly identify phishing attempts, follow security protocols, and make decisions in real-life risk scenarios to unlock clues.

Product training for retail staff

Learners embark on a story-driven quest that takes them through the history, features, and benefits of a brand’s products. Players solve puzzles and answer quizzes to unlock new content.

How to implement these strategies effectively

If you’re creating a piece of learning, try this: take some fact-based text and see if you can rework it into a story. Think about a science concept or a historical event. Instead of just listing the facts, turn them into a narrative with characters, a setting, and a

Assess skills first: identify skill gaps and tailor learning paths to address them, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Use diverse formats: mix and match different micro-learning formats to cater to various learning preferences.
Provide timely feedback: offer feedback that is clear, actionable, and tied directly to the learning objectives.
Leverage technology:  to deliver personalised, interactive, and data-driven training experiences.

Ultimately, the future of effective e-learning lies in its ability to transform passive information consumers into active, skilled, and lifelong learners. By leveraging the right technology and prioritising learner engagement, organisations can build a more adaptable and competent workforce prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

Busy library study space with students reading and working at desks, illuminated inside through large windows.

ready to revolutionise your learning experience?

When you partner with mindboost and our alliance of revolutionary organisations, you’re joining a movement that believes every human being deserves to discover their greatness.

schedule a free consultation