How to avoid 6 sound traps in e-learning
Do you make these common audio mistakes?
Audio is an important element of eLearning, but the problem is that many organizations get it wrong. Quality sound will lead to better learning outcomes. When we talk about sound quality, we don’t just mean its technical nature. We’re talking about the value it provides for the overall e-learning experience. The most successful e-learning solutions are comprehensive and provide students with an immersive learning experience. These courses achieve this by incorporating various media elements. Sound is one of the most popular elements, but it is not without pitfalls. To create the best learning experience and get the most out of your eLearning program, course owners must use audio correctly. It’s only by avoiding the pitfalls of sound that we can hope to create the engaging learning that your audience craves.
Mistake #1: Matching Text to Audio on Screen
One of the biggest mistakes we see in eLearning courses is when the speaker reads the text as it appears on the screen. Many e-learning platforms struggle because their libraries are based on this approach. This used to be considered acceptable, but today learners expect a more efficient and smooth experience. Students process text and audio differently, so they don’t get anything from audio copying text word for word. In fact, they lose vital information. Numerous studies support us in this matter, Clark and Mayer redundancy principle being the most prominent among them. This study tells us that having audio that reads text word for word is overkill since people cannot learn from both at the same time.
In addition, people process text and sound at different speeds, so their brains become confused by the inconsistency in their processing speed. People listen to audio slower than they read. Students can play the audio, but they cannot make it faster. They don’t have the same level of control over content.
Text and audio require a unique approach if they are to be effectively combined. One example is the merging of sound with movement on the screen during a tutorial video. Another example is the use of animation to illustrate important points from audio. Students can focus on short visual packages such as diagrams and still process audio. In fact, when visuals and sound are effectively combined, it greatly enhances the cognitive experience. Any text used on screen should be concise and kept to a minimum so as not to overload the listener’s brain. Another option is to sync the text so that it doesn’t match the audio.
Mistake #2: Audio in eLearning is often dry and boring
Dry, boring audio text is more common than you might think. Listening to someone read a PowerPoint presentation line by line is not interesting. All your energy goes into just being awake. What student would want to listen to someone read a report? Save these reports for shareholder meetings.
Engaging scenario
It all starts with a script. There is a big difference between writing text for readers and writing a script that will be read aloud. Written text, such as blog posts, articles, guides, policies, and even PowerPoint presentations, lacks oral appeal. On the other hand, the teacher-designer writes scripts, focusing on the storyteller. They are short and concise to convey the information as concisely as possible. The instructional designer carefully creates a script to bring the course to life and demonstrate key concepts. The script gives the narrator the information they need to convey the message, but leaves them free to add their own skills and personality.
Attractive voice
Engaging storytelling is a form of acting. A good vocalist needs attention. They reproduce sound with the right intonation and can add emotion to the voice-over. The voice talent will change its tone to add emphasis at certain moments. They will pause when necessary to give the listener time to absorb the information. Voice talents also identify with their target audience so they can find a voice that speaks directly to them. It brings the sound to life in every way and creates a captivating experience.
To overcome this problem, you need two main elements – a screenwriter and voiceover talent. Just having one or the other is not enough. You must have both. If one is missing, then the whole experience will suffer. A well-written screenplay is still important, even if the narration is in AI-generated voices. The use of abbreviations, salutatory language, and friendly speech patterns is essential. Without it, the sound becomes unemotional and difficult to understand.
Mistake #3: Audio upgrades can be costly
Audio is considered much less flexible than text when it comes to updating it. With text, you can simply identify information and then quickly change the words you want. But in the case of sound, updates require a more thorough process. You will have to replace the entire audio file to change one word on an eLearning page.
As a result, audio may seem like a less flexible approach. Teaching material is outdated, and audio inevitably needs to be updated. Professional voiceovers may record new clips, but remember that they may not match perfectly. Voice talent can control ambient noise in a room, but it can’t always recreate the same brightness and expression when re-recorded. That’s why it’s so important to create audio for course content that’s unlikely to change and get script approval.
Mistake #4: Audio in eLearning can be distracting
Audio in eLearning may not be available all the time. Some environments have too many distractions. This is why a clear student identity is important. For example, if many students are exercising while commuting, they may not be able to fully participate in the class if there are noisy people around them. We need to keep these scenarios in mind when creating an e-learning experience.
Despite all the hurdles that come with it, audio can be extremely effective in e-learning when properly integrated. This is the key. Integrate it right and you’re left with content that immerses your student based on your student identity. Do it wrong and you will end up with one of the traps on this list.
Mistake #5: Poor Audio Quality
Quality is the word everyone is throwing around. But sound can affect how people recognize your material. As stated, having the right voice talent and script is essential to creating an amazing audio experience. If you choose to have someone on staff do the voice-over, make sure they understand that they are not just reading the script. They engage the audience. This means that their tone, tempo and intonation are essential to create an immersive listening experience.
If you’re using AI-generated audio, choose an actual storytelling scenario. AI voice is not suitable for characters with emotions. Spend some time choosing a voice that can read your text accurately, correct pronunciation, add pauses, and correct abbreviations. Realize that no matter what, it won’t sound as smooth or emotional as a human. But you’ll benefit from cost and editing savings, as well as the fact that there are no set-ups or fees for an audio studio.
Mistake #6: Saving on Your Own Recording
Perhaps, to evoke both emotion and save money, you decide to record the sound yourself. If so, provide the right equipment to create quality. Fortunately, in today’s digital world, microphones are affordable. Do not use your phone or laptop’s built-in microphone. You will also need the right recording app. Audacity is a great free option that many content creators use. There are also a number of premium tools that provide advanced features but don’t necessarily have all the bells and whistles.
The recording location itself plays a key role if you record the sound yourself. You should record audio in a quiet place where there is no background noise. It must also be a place that is not reflected; otherwise, you will be left with a sound that sounds like an echo. Some voice artists work in the studio in their closets, using mattresses, foam rubber, and pillows to create the right recording environment. A little creativity can save you a lot of money in a recording studio.
bottom line
Let’s recap so you don’t fall prey to the same pitfalls as many eLearning solutions. The use of audio is situational. It should be used in scenarios where the learning process is enhanced by sound. Always let the user control the sound. Not only is this an accessibility requirement, but it also improves the student experience. Not every environment allows students to access audio, so it’s important to give them a choice in how they learn. Avoid using sound that simply reads text on the screen. This is redundant and only valid in limited use with instructional text when the student must complete an assignment. Even in this case, text instructions are preferable.
Finally, make sure you are producing quality sound. If you have someone on staff voicing it, make sure it engages the audience. Don’t forget that artificial intelligence is also an option if you’re using a fact-based storytelling scenario. Even so, choosing the right AI voice is very important. He must be able to accurately read the text, correct pronunciation and add pauses. All in all, audio can be a great addition to learning, but it can also get in the way if done wrong. Make sure you get it right!
beyond the sky
We imbue training with marketing principles for training that sticks. We uniquely combine best practices in behavior change marketing with modern learning methods to change student behavior!
Originally posted on www.beyondthesky.ca.
