Beta releases are crucial to improve online learning experience
A report today in Learn Dash highlights the most common causes of frustration for students attempting to complete an e-learning course, which included: unclear instructions; lack of interaction or collaboration; not enough context for information; lack of post-course support; and technology issues. For all these reasons, Learn Dash states that beta releases for e-learning courses are crucial to ensure students communicate weaknesses and frustrations relating to the course, thereby improving pass rates in the courses launched.

Even though elearning is great for teaching people new skills, it’s not always well-received.

In fact, it can sometimes be frustrating.

Most people can relate to feeling frustrated with an elearning course at least once. If it hasn’t happened yet, it’s bound to happen.

There are a multitude of reasons that can contribute to a poor experience with elearning. Below are some of the more common ones (originally shared by SHIFT ELearning).

As an elearning developer, you should keep these frustrations in mind so that you can proactively counter them.

Reasons Why Learners Get Frustrated with ELearning

Incorrect expectations

Not enough time to complete the course or tasks within the course

Unclear instructions

No interaction or collaboration

Too much information

Not enough context for information

Lack of post-course support

Dated information

Lack of visuals

Technology issues

Granted, not all possible reasons why people get frustrated with taking an online course are included in the list above. For example, sometimes it’s the learner’s overall demeanor is what influences their perception of the course.

Despite our best intentions sometimes we may overlook some of these items when creating a course. This is why it is so important for your courses to have a “beta” release.

You can use the beta release as a way to gather feedback regarding the course. The learners will share with you the perceived weaknesses or areas that they found confusing. Many times these opportunity areas will help counter some of the listed frustrations.

You will feel more confident in your course if you do a trial run first, and your learners will be less frustrated.