Skills a successful e-Learning professional MUST HAVE

All e-learning projects are different. As such, the skill sets and unique talents for each e-learning project vary greatly. While one course might require extensive knowledge of a particular Instructional Design Model, another may call for an in-depth understanding of a particular e-learning Authoring Tool. However, there is a set of specific skills that e-learning professionals can acquire and fine-tune to help any future project run smoothly.

Have a thirst for knowledge and opportunities to learn

First and foremost, e-learning professionals must have a constant thirst for knowledge. They must acknowledge the fact that learning is an ongoing process, and have a deep passion for learning as a whole. Even though you are providing others with an experience through instruction, e-learning course design, or content development. As an e-learning professional, you must regard yourself as a perpetual student who never stops learning new concepts, ideas, or skill sets.

Desire to understand how individuals learn and develop skill sets

Which delivery methods will allow the learner to best absorb the new knowledge and skills? Which model or theory will most effectively allow the learner to not only acquire the information but retain and recall it for later use? Having a firm grasp on learning behaviors and how the brain absorbs information is a key skill if you are an e-learning professional. This skill often involves a great deal of research and analysis. As such, you must also be able to effectively research and turn raw data into a winning strategy.

Creativity and ability to create quality content

Well-crafted content is essential for any e-learning deliverable, as is choosing the right media for that content. You will have to be able to engage the learners and immerse them in the e-learning experience while making the experience as interactive as possible. The most effective way to achieve this is by utilizing your creativity to develop content and e-learning courses that are informative, impactful, and cleverly written.

Communicate ideas and concepts effectively

An important part of any e-learning development process is giving and receiving feedback. As an e-learning professional, it’s essential to be able to not only offer constructive criticism but to receive it as well. As a result, the fourth entry on our list of key e-learning skills is communication skills. Offering feedback that allows learners to change behaviors or analyze different problem-solving approaches enables them to get the most out of their experience. On the other hand, it’s also important to learn how to transform learners’ opinions and input into action by improving upon your strategies and making your deliverables even more effective.

Facilitate the learning process and convey core ideas

Do you know how to guide a learner through the learning/training process? Can you summarize key ideas and transform information into powerful presentations, learning materials, or virtual content? The ability to facilitate the learning process and to effectively convey core ideas is all-important in the e-learning industry.

Critical thinking and creative problem-solving

There are two primary reasons why an e-learning professional needs to be an expert problem solver and an analytical thinker at the same time. Firstly, you are bound to face challenges while creating e-Learning deliverables. Probably, you will run into obstacles with the layout design or have difficulty converting the information into a powerful and well-crafted e-learning module. However, if you are a problem solver, then you can think outside that proverbial box and tackle any challenge that will inevitably appear. Secondly, it allows you to see new approaches to e-Learning. By thinking analytically, you can pinpoint innovative ways to deliver content or appeal to varied learning needs.

Be detail-oriented yet see the big picture

Successful e-Learning courses and modules are those that are well-written, well-designed, and aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, e-learning professionals must be highly organized and have a keen eye for detail. After all, it’s the details that make a world of difference regarding layout, interactivity, and learner immersion. Being able to choose the right font color, and the ideal graphic, and paying close attention to even the most minor detail is a key attribute of an e-Learning professional.

Know the importance of real-world applications

Having a clear idea of how learners will utilize the information provided and designing your e-learning courses with real-world benefits in mind is all-important. A trademark of a great professional is the ability to tie real-world applications into the e-learning course content. Rather than just haphazardly integrating tidbits of information into a course, a successful professional will consider how every element will be useful to the learner long after the e-learning course has been completed.

Provide the best possible learning experience

A successful e-learning professional is truly devoted to their profession and is committed to providing learners with an unparalleled experience. Holding yourself to a higher standard when creating deliverables is essential, as is not settling for anything less than the best regarding the e-learning design, content, and multimedia that you are offering to your learners.

Knowledge of e-Learning tools and applications

The wonderful thing about being an e-learning professional in this technological era is that you have access to a variety of tools and media that can enhance the overall experience. However, to utilize these e-learning technologies, you will have to have in-depth knowledge of how these fit into the development process while knowing how to get the most benefit from them.

A great example of a perfect tool for any business e-learning course is a proper business simulation that can be customized to match the content of the course.

Check out Simformer business games!