Often when customized eLearning programs are initiated, the corporate stakeholders focus on the business and learning objectives, the corporate branding and tone, and the diversity and attributes of the audience. Rarely, is there a concrete discussion of the approach and whether humor or plain fun can be incorporated for a more compelling, memorable experience. And, if there is a discussion, it usually falls by the wayside as the other criteria are deemed more important.  There is an assumption that eLearning should not be fun or humorous because it may compromise the other objectives. This simply does not have to be the case. Consider using some of these techniques for customer service skills training or other online soft skills training. Work closely with your elearning content developer to create learning that is fun, compelling and effective.

• Use real-life narratives and scenarios. Add some humorous dialogue that can apply across cultures, regions and ethnicities or make it easily editable for the specific regional audiences.
• Create a thematic approach to a single module or series of modules. Get your audience ensnared in the storyline, eager for more.
• Create compelling custom illustrations or use clever photographic images that reflect the real-world experience but in a lighter, more memorable way. 
• Don't underestimate your audience. Humor and fun can be included with an adult flair. Think of all those email jokes and YouTube clips that fill your inbox. Do you open them? Why do you find them so irresistable?
• Make gentle fun of key managers, create caricatures in language or illustration. For example, for one of our clients we created a super hero figure based on the Director of the target audience. The Director loved contributing to the design of his character ( and, even went further with the humorous elements than would have been done without his input!) and the audience found it hysterical.
• Add unique interactivities that engage the learner yet convey the learning points.

  To see some outstanding examples of innovative custom eLearning solutions, contact Margie Herron at mherron@kmionline.com for a demonstration. In the appropriate context with the appropriate content, eLearning can and should be fun and effective.

   

• eLearning is usually less expensive to produce: of course, this may be dependent on the production value and tools you use and the particular content, but, once developed, an eLearning course can be leveraged for years without additional costs.
• The user determines the pace: As a self-paced learner from way back, this is one of its most attractive benefits for me. I can move through any online training solution at my own pace and access it just when I need it. Cool! 
• The learner can move through the learning faster -- As a user, I can bypass information I already know and focus on the information that I need to know. Beats sitting in a classroom and listening to repetitive material every time!
• eLearning provides a consistent message : Many of our clients are global organizations. They need their messaging to be the same whether it is delivered in Singapore, Paris or San Francisco. And, they need it to reflect just that global diversity as well. We just produced an online customer service course. One of the key learning objectives was to establish a consistent and repeatable process for customer support across their global platform. Providing the training as web based eLearning was exactly the right format for this project.
• Implementing eLearning can provide training from any location, any time, and just in time: One of the most obvious applications of this benefit was a sales training series we did for a health system hardware provider. They recognized that their sales people had little advance time to prepare for sales calls because they had such a broad range of services and products. So we created a custom series that reps could access just prior to their sales meetings to educate and update them on products and services. It was a resounding success. 
• eLearning can be updated easily and quickly: I recall developing a series of product training courses, which were updated monthly. The course were template based and allowed for easy updating of product spec changes. This meant that the field always had the most current product information. Imagine doing that through classroom training!
• eLearning leads to increased retention and a stronger grasp on the subject: This is because of the many elements that can be combined in custom eLearning to reinforce the message, such as video, audio, quizzes, interaction, animations, virtual role plays, scenario-based decision-making. Users can also revisit material as they need. Online soft skills training is usually a content area that seems challenging, however, we have produced many highly effective manager skills training courses such as Coaching in this format. Taking advantage of the tools available can produce outstanding learning! 
• eLearning can be managed and delivered for large or small groups of students: Using a SCORM Learning Management System such as KMi's, eLMS, allows the administrators to market courses, provide pre-assessments, evaluations, surveys, reporting, success tracking, blogs and all kinds of other features to enhance the learning experience.