The Secret of Elearning Success

Maximizing what we learn is vital for success in ELearning, wheter project sponsor-involved or not. We need to look at how information is taken in and stored. Basically, there are six steps in successful E-Learning. It's been proven that these steps are not linear, and each step occurs independently of all the others. Moreover, it depends on how much time you spend on each stage. Environmental factors as well as topic will also affect how well we learn.

1. Knowledge: In order to learn something new, we have to be open and no judge the information. In other words, deciding that you agree or disagree is not important for learning something new. The new knowledge must be taken in. How open we are to new things depends on our past experiences, environment and the culture we are a part of. The new information must wash over us, without this kind of interference. The learner must be patient and accept the new information for itself.

2. Comprehension: Next, the information must be interpreted. Still, the learner must not make judgments about what they are hearing. What happened before or after is not important. Here, we are evaluating the new information, comparing it with what we already know. This is the step where assumptions can play a part. If this stage in the process goes well, the other stages are not needed. The new information has been absorbed and stored and will be ready to use when it is needed.

3.Analysis: Now, the new data is analyzed. It is broken up into its smaller constituent parts and measured against what one already knows. This can be a difficult part of the process. If you are having trouble in this part, it is easy to give up and reject the new information. This is the point where many learners turn back, and often talking to someone else about it will keep us on track. At this stage, a little discussion could go a long way to helping cement the new information. It is as important as ever to keep an open mind at this point in the process. Analysis is breaking down the new information into smaller pieces and then measuring them individually against previous knowledge.

4. Synthesis: This is the stage where we can begin to make judgments about the new information. Here, we are putting together different parts and rejecting those that do not check out. Here, the information is becoming a part of who we are. It is being personalized. We talk of 'owning' something, like a new bit of knowledge or new skill. This point in the process is where we 'own' things. Getting to this point makes it easier to remember things. When you make it a part of yourself, it is easier to retrieve later.

5. Application: At this stage, the new information is actually applied to your life. Here, you use the new information, and that helps it to stick in your mind. Talking about the information, teaching it or sharing it with someone, helps at this stage in the process. By doing that, you put your own energy and effort into it, and that helps keep it in mind. A safe environment is the best place to do this, and one of the best techniques is through role-playing.

6. Evaluation: Finally, we evaluate the information and decide if it is effective. Here is the ultimate judgment, to see what is and what is not working, and what needs to be changed in order to fit the overall scheme better. There is a lot of synchronicity going on here. All the parts are working together. At this point, you can use the information to help others. You are putting your own energy out into the world.

Through these six stages, new information can be absorbed and used. Keep in mind that in the fifth stage (application) energy is the strongest.

Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a web publisher who likes to give his readers articles about e-learning and distance learning info. Check out Elearning for more great elearning info.