10 Overlooked Benefits of Using eLearning Infographics

examples of elements for infographics

Infographics offer a visual representation of training topics, trends, and complex tasks. They combine images with text to provide all the essentials and keep online learners engaged. But is it really worth the time and effort to create an eLearning infographic for your course? Will it help you boost your ROI or would you be better off allocating your resources elsewhere?

eLearning infographics can bring the following 10 benefits to your eLearning course design.

1. Reduce Cognitive Overload

Online learners have the opportunity to evaluate every idea, statistic, or step before moving onto the next item in the eLearning infographic. This reduces cognitive overload and allows them to fully assimilate the information. They don’t have to worry about soaking up mass quantities of data because the eLearning infographic highlights each element separately.

2. Stress-Free Sharing with Online Peers

Infographics are shareable, by their very nature. They can easily go viral if you know what online learners are looking for and capitalize on a hot trend. They won’t think twice about posting the eLearning infographic on their social media page or sharing the link. As a result, more potential online learners discover your eLearning course and become familiar with your brand. Make the most of this benefit by encouraging online learners to share the eLearning infographic. You might even include a ‘Share on Facebook’ icon to make it even easier and convenient.

3. Promote Your eLearning Product or Service

A well-crafted eLearning infographic can enhance your brand image and bring new online learners into the fold. It provides them with all the information they need to clarify misconceptions or solve a common challenge, which makes them more likely to enroll. Readers can see that your organization is well versed on the topic and that your eLearning course will live up to their expectations. For this reason, your eLearning infographic must strike the right tone and clearly convey your messaging. You need to put your best foot forward and ensure that it’s error-free and attention-grabbing.

4. Improve SEO

Another marketing perk of using eLearning infographics is that they help boost your SEO efforts. Thus, you rank higher in the search engines and increase eLearning course sign-ups. The secret is using targeted keywords and metadata to attract your target audience. You can also accompany your eLearning infographic with a brief description to increase the likelihood of high rankings. This also clarifies which benefits your eLearning infographic can offer.

5. Easily Accessible

eLearning infographics are easy to access on any device. Online learners can even download the image to view them offline, which is ideal for remote employees who need to refresh their memory even if they aren’t within wi-fi range. This makes them the perfect ‘moment of need’ training tool. Just make sure to optimize your eLearning infographic to reduce loading times and prevent learner frustration.

6. Improve Memory Retention

Online learners are more likely to remmeber the information because it’s in a visual format. Numerous studies have shown that the human mind remembers images and graphics more effectively than text. An eLearning infographic contains both. As such, online learners who are unable to fully comprehend the images can read the text to improve their understanding. The memory retention benefits are further enhanced when using compelling or eye-catching imagery. For example, images that allow online learners to connect with the eLearning content on an emotional level.

7. Enhance On-The-Job Performance

Corporate learners use eLearning infographics as a just-in-time support tool. They contain all the information they need to complete a task or brush up on compliance knowledge. You can even create a product knowledge infographic that features the key specs, features, and benefits to increase sales. When in doubt, employees are able to refer to the eLearning infographic and analyze every aspect of the topic one by one.

8. Reduce Online Training Costs

eLearning infographics can be very cost effective, especially when you invest in the right tools. Namely, rapid eLearning authoring tools that contain built-in infographic templates and images. Your L&D team can use these layouts to save time and avoid starting from scratch. However, the resource reductions don’t stop there. It takes employees less time to access and absorb the information, thereby reducing online training costs and improving ROI.

9. Appeal to Different Learning Preferences

eLearning infographics cater to different learning preferences. Visual learners can view the images, graphs, and charts to assimilate the information while text-based learners are able to read the captions to absorb the facts and stats. You can even include links to supplemental online training materials that tie into the topic. For example, a simulation that allows kinesthetic learners to put their knowledge into action after viewing the task walk-through infographic.

10. Cater to Short Attention Spans

It’s hard to hold someone’s attention in the digital era. There are so many distractions to deal with, and it seems like everyone is pressed for time. As such, your eLearning course must make them take notice and account for their short attention spans. eLearning infographics only provide the need-to-know information. Online learners get the essentials so that they can complete the task or solve the problem, then go about their day. They always have the option to explore the subject matter in greater detail later on. But eLearning infographics are there to help in a time crunch. Therefore, other tech distractions are less likely to stand in the way of assimilating the takeaways.

eLearning infographics are a great addition to your microlearning online training library. They provide online learners with a quick reference they can use to improve comprehension and refresh their memory. Use a rapid eLearning authoring tool that features infographic templates to save time.

Do you struggle with balancing written eLearning content with pictures? Do you wish you could incorporate both and make learning fun again? How can you be sure that your eLearning infographics are meeting the evolving needs of your online learners? Download the free eBook The Ultimate Guide to eLearning Infographics to find out how to work with eLearning infographic templates, the benefits of including eLearning infographics into your eLearning course design, the steps you should follow to create them, as well as examples of creative uses and must-have features that exceptional eLearning infographics usually include.

Christopher Pappas

Christopher Pappas is founder of The eLearning Industry’s Network, which is the largest online community of professionals involved in the eLearning Industry. Christopher holds an MBA, and an MEd (Learning Design) from BGSU. eLearning Blogger • EduTechpreneur • eLearning Analyst • Speaker • Social Media Addict TechSmith is thrilled to work with talented guest bloggers to bring valuable and interesting content to readers. Have a topic suggestion? Tweet us TechSmith

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