Learning strategies - How to make e-learning effective in the long term

Anyone training employees with e-learning should not only focus on good content, but also on effective learning strategies. After all, how learning takes place is just as important as what is learned. Learning strategies are the bridge between content and sustainable learning success – they determine whether knowledge is understood, retained and applied.

Especially in a professional context, where learning time is scarce and learning content is complex, learning formats must be didactically well thought out. That is why we at skillbest always combine individual e-learning with suitable learning strategies that suit the company and the target group.

Learning strategies are conscious methods and techniques that learners use to absorb, structure, process and remember information. They can be divided into:

• Cognitive strategies (e.g. repeating, summarizing, visualizing)
• Metacognitive strategies (e.g. learning planning, self-monitoring, reflection)
• Resource-related strategies (e.g. designing the learning environment, planning breaks)

In e-learning, these strategies can be specifically activated and reinforced – for example through interactive elements, practical scenarios or feedback mechanisms.

1. active repetition instead of passive consumption
Instead of linear clicking through, quiz questions, cloze texts or matching tasks help to actively consolidate what has been learned.

2. microlearning – learning in small bites
Short, clearly structured modules help to process content better. Ideal for time-restricted target groups or mobile learning.

3. context-based learning with practical relevance
Fictitious scenarios or real-life use cases anchor knowledge in everyday professional life. The direct transfer to your own job is crucial.

4. support reflection & self-control
Intermediate questions, decision points or targeted thought-provoking impulses encourage self-reflection – and thus promote more sustainable learning.

5. targeted use of multimedia
Combinations of text, images, sound and video can make complex content easier to understand – provided they are used sensibly and do not overwhelm.

Standardized training courses usually use generic methods that do not suit the target group. Individual e-learning courses, on the other hand, can be didactically tailored precisely to the working reality of the learners – and therefore also strategically to their learning behavior:

• Anchoring content in the corporate context
• Choice of format to suit learning culture and time resources
• Incorporating and mapping learning strategies

The result: less cognitive overload, more motivation, better transfer into practice.

A decisive advantage for companies is the ability to customize the e-learning for data protection officer training. This is because data protection processes are different in every company. The integration of company-specific processes, systems and risks into the training significantly increases the learning success.

Examples of individualization:

• Sector-specific requirements (e.g. healthcare, industry, public administration)
• Own case studies and documentation templates
• Integration of existing IT systems and processes

Learning strategies turn digital content into effective learning. If you want to make e-learning sustainable, you need more than just a stylish design. The decisive factor is how knowledge is conveyed and anchored. With strategically thought-out, individually developed e-learning, this is exactly what can be achieved.