Knowing how to create training modules for your corporate training efforts is essential. Utilizing a learning management system allows you to take full advantage of elearning opportunities and enhance the success of your learners. However, you must build those modules effectively in order to create the high level of learning you’re hoping for.
What is a training module?
A training module is a segment of a larger online course. The module covers a specific type of learning or objective from the course. It is often broken down into smaller lesson segments, particularly when you’re providing microlearning opportunities for your learners.
A training module should be a complete segment. However, it interacts with the other training modules within the course to ensure that learners get a full picture of everything you want them to absorb throughout the course.
Crafting effective corporate training modules
Deciding how to create training modules doesn’t have to be a complicated process. In many cases, you can use existing templates within your LMS to craft your lessons.
Step one: Determine your learning objectives
If you’re initiating corporate training, chances are you’re trying to solve a problem within your organization. You may have identified knowledge gaps, or you may need to provide more employee training on key issues. In some cases, you may want employees to go through leadership training or receive skills training to help them advance in their roles.
Before you start creating the learning modules for your elearning course, make sure you have clearly defined the objectives you want your online training modules to accomplish. Know what you want employees to learn as they work through the course.
Ideally, you want to be specific about your learning objective goals. Using SMART goals (goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely) can make it easier to clearly lay out what you want employees to accomplish through the training course. For example, the goal of an onboarding course might be to ensure that employees can perform a specific task or that they are prepared to step into their roles within a predetermined amount of time. Lay out clear metrics by which you will measure employee learning.
Don’t forget to consider employees’ learning needs. Many of your employees want to expand their learning opportunities and learn more about their jobs. They want to expand their careers, move into new roles, and learn how to perform those roles effectively. By tailoring your learning modules to their needs, you can often:
- Increase engagement
- Encourage better information retention
- Make employees key stakeholders in the learning journey
- Find additional strategies for how to create training modules
Step two: Choose the format you want for your elearning module
There are several potential formats for each module of your online course. Training programs should include a variety of learning styles and solutions so that you can speak to all the learners across your organization. Your training content may include:
- Video lectures
- Simulations
- Drag-and-drop assessment options
- Interactive assessments
- Hands-on learning opportunities
- Animations
- Images
- Audio content
- Podcasts
- Webinars
- Case studies
- Infographics
- Role-playing
Take a look at what multimedia options are available for your elearning content, including what content formats are supported by your LMS. You may want to consider reviewing instructional design options or tutorials to make sure that you select the ideal style for your specific online training course.
Keep in mind that interactive elements are among the most effective options when it comes to information retention. Many learners learn best when they can interact directly with the content they’re learning rather than passively absorbing information through a lecture.
Step three: Build your learning experience
Put together a module that incorporates a variety of training materials and learning strategies. Utilizing a training module template, especially for early models and lessons, can make it easier for you to decide how to create training modules that help your brand move toward greater learning maturity. Keep your target audience in mind.
Incorporate diverse learning styles
Keep in mind that different employees will learn differently. Put together training that includes a variety of formats, including video, audio, and hands-on learning. Don’t forget the value of real-time interaction! If you have an instructor walking employees through the training course, consider how to create training modules that allow instructors to add value to the course as a whole.
Clearly lay out training objectives
Learners are often more likely to retain information when they have a solid idea of exactly what they’re expected to learn throughout the course. Make sure you have clearly laid out training goals in a way that employees will understand.
Design training content
Training content can include a variety of elements. You’ll start with an introduction and information about the learning objectives, then move on to create the content. Utilizing a variety of content formats can help ensure that learners have the tools they need to learn effectively.
Incorporate activities and exercises into your content. Give learners a chance to interact with content in a hands-on way so that they can more easily take that learning forward and use it in their everyday career steps.
Incorporate knowledge checks
As you’re learning how to create training modules, make sure you’re including knowledge checks. You don’t just want to assess learning at the end of the training. You also want to make sure that you’re assessing how learners are performing as they move through the course.
Knowledge checks at key points in the training module serve several purposes. First, they indicate how well a learner understands a specific topic. This can offer information about whether the learner is positioned to go forward. Second, they offer greater insight into what each segment of the training module can accomplish and whether you may need to revisit that segment of the training module. If many employees struggle with a specific segment of the module, then the information may not be clear.
Knowledge checks do not have to just be quizzes! They can also include things like role-play scenarios, branching scenarios, or other strategies that allow employees to display their knowledge and apply it to new situations directly. As you gain experience in how to create training modules, you’ll create more and more engaging knowledge checks.
Step four: Gather feedback
Gathering feedback is an essential part of testing the effectiveness of your training module. There may be several steps involved in the feedback process. First, submit your training module to subject matter experts. They can review it for accuracy and ensure that you don’t have any missing information. You may need to go through substantial revisions at this stage. Subject matter experts may be able to offer considerable insight into areas in which you need to provide more information.
Next, submit your training module draft to stakeholders, including:
- C-suite executives within the company
- Direct managers who will be supervising employees going through these training modules
- Any instructors who will be participating in administering those training modules
Finally, consider having employees go through the training module and see if they note any problems with the content or with moving through the training module. Ask about different types of training modules they might like to see or how you can adapt the content to help them absorb it more effectively.
Step five: Revise
Revision is a key part of creating effective content that is highly beneficial to your learners. Whether you’re creating microlearning modules intended to help learners quickly meet specific objectives or creating in-depth content designed to help learners achieve their long-term goals, you can expect to go through several rounds of revision before you create the final version of your training.
Step six: Launch for a test audience
Before you launch the full version of your new training, bring in a test audience of learners who can test out your content and see how it performs. Depending on the type of corporate training module you’ve created, you may want to use a smaller segment of your usual class for the new module. Conversely, if you use smaller groups for your training segments, you may want to try launching it for a single class before you create your final version.
Step seven: Finalize any changes
Creating effective training modules takes time. You can expect to go through numerous versions before you arrive at the final one, which you will then use for the foreseeable future. Once you’ve taken your content through a test audience and taken care of any necessary changes, you can create its final version.
Keep in mind, however, that the “final version” of your training content is not set in stone. Continue to gather feedback about employee training as you present it to other classes in the future. You may find that you continue to make changes to your content to meet the learning needs of your employees and ensure that they have everything they need to be successful.
Design more effective corporate training modules with Docebo
Creating effective corporate training modules can help you streamline employee training and ensure that you have better-prepared employees ready to grow with your company. Docebo provides a learning management system that can help you accomplish those goals. Reach out to us today to learn more about our LMS and how it can help you revolutionize your corporate training.
