Elearning has been continuously facing the challenge of keeping the learners engaged. Many methods are being used to ensure that the learner understands the concepts even without an instructor. The inclusion of various multimedia modes like informative audios, videos, games, animations, etc. has become almost necessary to include as these are considered to make the concepts easier to understand.
In a nutshell, there are many advantages of using multimedia in an eLearning program, however, there are few drawbacks as well. Too much of the inclusion of multimedia makes the curriculum heavier, and going through the whole video might be frustrating if you only want to replay a piece of information. Making videos can be time-consuming and yet not very effective.
Breaking the myth that GIF (Graphic Interface Format) is only meant for social media, these can effectively be used as a learning tool that is short and more engaging. It is a known fact that you cannot take your eyes off a GIF even if you have seen it multiple times over. It is nothing but a bitmap image with multiple frames encoded into a single image.
Let us understand how can these GIF’s add flavor to the eLearning program in engaging a learner and acts as an effective teaching attribute.
Engaging the learner:
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The GIFs are less time-consuming to create. As they are short and repeating, the learner does not have to replay it over and again to understand the concept, unlike videos.
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The GIFs can help in adding the fun factor while conveying the learning that is easily graspable. However, you need to be cautious that the combination of the two elements is apt and the main element of learning is not suppressed by the fun factor of GIF.
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Animated GIFs can be used as effective headers and teasers of the upcoming topics or activities. This helps the learner to stay inquisitive keeping them engaged.
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Learnings delivered with the help of GIFs are not only easy to understand but are retained better. Inclusion in bite-sized lessons is easier as they are lighter in weight as compared to videos.
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GIFs work great as a communication tool, as in social media. These can be similarly used in the eLearning curriculum while connecting with the closed social groups of learning.
Thus, including the GIF in the right quantity, at the right instance can completely change the flavor of the course making it more interesting and engaging.
Great teaching tool:
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In this era of bite-sized modules that are easy to grasp and retain, the best way to explain short processes is by incorporating a relative GIF. Watching the GIF over and again without any hassles will make the learner understand the concept better retaining it for long.
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Technical steps can be understood better if shown in practical form rather than steps explained in textual format. Videos can be heavier and replaying them can be a hassle. GIF will be lighter and animated highlighted steps are easier to understand and can be seen in repeat mode without hassles. Every important part can be represented clearly with animations of the steps to be followed.
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Sharing instructions and guidelines in a long documented format can be boring and the learner tends to forget it. Popping up the information windows of the related or chosen point helps to understand it better and retain it for longer.
Conclusion: GIF’s when included in the eLearning course developed on the Acendre LMS might work wonders in keeping the learner engaged. They are light, practical, and information transferred is much more effective and practical. Ensuring that it does not distract from the content, it effectively adds the fun factor making the program more engaging.
