In fact, they may even have certain learning behaviors that prevent them from fully absorbing and retaining the subject matter. Knowledge assimilation and retention becomes more challenging when online learners exhibit the following learning behaviors:
1. Inability To Understand Or Acknowledge The Training Objectives
They simply don’t want to invest the time or effort into understanding, let alone following them, in order to achieve the desired learning outcome. As a result, online learners are unable to assign meaning to the subject matter and assimilate the key takeaways.
2. Unwilling To Identify Their Strengths And Weaknesses
Online learners must be ready to identify their strong suits and weak points, especially those that stand in the way of the learning process. By doing so, they can seek out relevant information and focus their efforts to personalize the learning process, thereby improving knowledge retention and recall.
3. Isolate Themselves From Social Learning Environments
Social learning gives online learners the chance to share experiences with their peers to improve their understanding of the topic, rather than trying to struggle on their own to find online training resources that can clarify confusion. Introverts tend to display this learning behavior more often than their extrovert counterparts.
4. Disregarding The Viewpoints Of Their Peers
However, they completely disregard the viewpoints of others and devalue their input. They may even disrespect their opinions and make peers feel uncomfortable or isolated, thereby creating hostile learning conditions that cause other online learners to miss out on valuable knowledge.
5. Overall Lack Of Mental Focus And Drive
There is a lot on their minds, and online learners aren’t able to concentrate on the task at hand. Thus, the main ideas and concepts are less likely to slip through the working memory filters.
6. Unwilling To Use The Available Online Training Resources
In some instances, this is due to a general lack of motivation. There may also be a miscommunication to blame. For example, online learners are unable to access the online resources because they aren’t tech-savvy, or they cannot see the connection between the eLearning activities and practical applications and benefits.
Therefore, it’s important to include a brief explanation of how online training resources relate to the real world and why online learners need the information.
7. Unable To Work Autonomously To Complete Learning Goals
They often require a set schedule that outlines every step of the eLearning course. Even then, these online learners may not be able to keep pace. You can encourage them by breaking the eLearning course into smaller modules (otherwise known as microlearning) or milestones, complete with short-term goals.
Don’t forget to mention the ultimate learning goal so that they can set their sights on the finish line.
8. Allow Challenges To Become Learning Hurdles
Mistakes turn into reasons why they are unable to achieve their learning goals and online learners allow challenges to hinder their progress instead of viewing them as opportunities to grow and learn new things. For example, trying to solve a problem or overcome a hurdle takes them down a self-guided learning path.
Top Tip To Improve Knowledge Assimilation And Minimize Negative Learning Behaviors
Many of these learning behaviors can be minimized or eliminated altogether by researching your audience and individualizing the eLearning experience. Online learners need to feel as though the eLearning course is intended for them and their personal training goals.
Explore their preferences, backgrounds, and past experiences to identify hindering beliefs or mindsets. Then develop online training resources that tap into their personal motivations and provide real-world value.
Final Word:
Negative learning behaviors may not be a quick fix. However, you can help online learners to adopt a more positive perspective by personalizing the online training content and soliciting their feedback.
Another way to encourage and motivate online learners is to incorporate social learning environments that offer peer-based support.
Want to learn more tips on how to increase knowledge retention in eLearning? Check out our bumper resource, ‘The Ultimate eLearning Instructional Design Guidebook‘.