Reason #3: Less is more
PowerPoint presentations are generally too long and content-heavy. This is simply out of touch with modern learning preferences. When it comes to effective e-learning, your learners thrive when they have access to short, easily digestible bits of information.
It’s no wonder that microlearning has become such a major trend in the e-learning world. Microlearning uses new technologies such as mobile learning and quick video tutorials. This type of media provides content in just the right amounts for your learners to quickly get the specific information they need.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with using text in your microlearning or other e-learning content. Just remember to keep texts as short and concise as possible.
Reason #4: No learning checkpoints
To keep your learners on track and ensure they are acquiring the right knowledge, your e-learning content must include performance assessments. PowerPoint, however, is a one-way flow of information. The learner has no opportunity to test their knowledge along the way. That’s why it’s far more important to choose an e-learning authoring tool like Easygenerator, which enables you to include plenty of assessment questions at every stage of the course.
It’s best to use a variety of assessment types because these require the learner to engage with the information on multiple levels. Assessments are not just about making sure your learners acquire knowledge; they also facilitate the learning process by keeping learners alert and making them engage with the content.
Reason #5: Lack of interactivity
One last reason why PowerPoint may leave your learners yawning is that it lacks one ingredient that is crucial to success: interactivity.
Studies show that by enabling your learners to control the pace of the content, provide their feedback and receive personalized feedback themselves, you can boost their perception of how useful the content is. Creating a positive, interactive learning experience leads to better learning outcomes because it automatically makes learners more comfortable with the content itself.
Effective e-learning techniques
PowerPoint and other one-way slideshow presentations have been a standard feature in training classrooms around the world for decades. Thanks to newer, more effective methods, the days of PowerPoint are slowly coming to an end in the e-learning world.
If you are in the process of setting up a new e-learning program or modernizing an old one, keep in mind the reasons why PowerPoint probably isn’t the best way to go.
By embracing more modern techniques, such as microlearning and mobile learning, you’ll keep your learners engaged and coming back for more effective e-learning techniques. The same goes for built-in assessments and interactivity features, like instant feedback. These are all the ingredients of a modern, effective e-learning course – all without a PowerPoint presentation in sight.
Check out our full guide on converting PPT to e-learning.