7 e-learning challenges, and how to avoid them

In recent years, e-learning has quickly become one of the most effective ways to onboard, train, and upskill employees, despite the challenges of e learning in content creation. It’s more cost-effective, allows organizations to train larger groups of employees, and even has a lower environmental impact.  

But for all its benefits, e-learning content creation doesn’t come without its e-learning challenges. Especially if it’s your first time creating an e-learning course, there are some common roadblocks that will naturally arise in the process. 

7 main e-learning challenges and their solutions 

Below, we’ll examine the most common e learning issues and challenges that arise when creating content and provide simple solutions to each one. 

Challenge #1: unclear learning objectives 

Setting clear learning objectives is the first step to ensure that the e-learning content creation process goes smoothly. The learning objectives are what provide direction to create training modules and learning assessments. They are also useful to set expectations for the learners before they begin the course. If your learning objectives are unclear, it’s more difficult to track the effectiveness of the e-learning course you created.  

Additionally, without clear learning objectives, your organization won’t be able to assess how the training contributes to the business’s overall plans. 

Solution: set learning objectives from the beginning  

Clear learning objectives ensure that everyone agrees on what the e-learning course should achieve. When setting learning objectives, make sure the topic of the content is closely aligned with the organization’s business goals.  

Additionally, learning objectives should be actionable, and the learners should be told what they will be able to do with the new knowledge (and not just what they will know or understand). If you need help outlining your learning objectives, use our free Learning Objectives Tool to get started. 

Challenge #2: limited time 

Time is a precious commodity – in life and in business as well, especially when dealing with technical issues during e-learning content creation. If you don’t use the right tools and processes, developing e-learning content can quickly become a time-consuming task.  

There are many steps involved: identifying the learning needs, creating the learning content, transforming the content into an e-learning course or resource, setting up assessments, testing the course… the list goes on.  

It’s important for organizations to ensure that the time (and money) they invest in corporate training is optimized for maximum ROI. 

Solution: choose an easy-to-use authoring tool 

One of the easiest ways to start saving time in your e-learning content creation process is to find a simple and intuitive authoring tool. But with so many options out there, how do you find the best e-learning content creation tools?  

With our zero-learning curve tool, Easygenerator enables anyone, from e-learning professionals to subject-matter experts, to quickly create and share interactive e-learning content. But don’t just take our word for it. Find how APU created engaging e-learning courses more efficiently with Easygenerator. 

Challenge #3: too much content 

Choosing which topic(s) to focus on with your e-learning course can be one of the most important challenges to overcome. Once you have identified your organization’s learning needs, it won’t be difficult to come up with a long list of topics that you’ll want to cover with your e-learning content. 

Additionally, if you’re collaborating with others on the content creation process, they’ll likely want to see their ideas included as well. However, an e-learning course that is overloaded with information won’t be effective. Learners tend to shut down when faced with too much new information. Plus, longer training modules are less likely to be completed as learners will lose interest. 

Solution: create microlearning courses  

The first thing you need to do is to identify what information is most relevant to your learners. You can do this by running a thorough training needs analysis in your organization. This helps ensure that you’re not training employees on information they already know (which can lead to lower engagement).  

Once the relevant topics are identified, adopt a microlearning approach to create short, topic-specific e-learning content. Learn more about creating effective microlearning courses. 

Challenge #4: learners are not engaged 

E-learning courses can sometimes feel monotonous or unengaging, leading to low completion rates and diminished learning outcomes. Learners often struggle to connect with static content, especially if it lacks interactivity, engaging visuals, or connections to real-world applications.  

Without opportunities for interaction or relatable examples, the material can feel distant and theoretical, making it harder for learners to retain information and apply it effectively in their roles. 

Solution: incorporate interactive elements 

Enhancing engagement starts with adding interactive features that cater to every learning style. Use quizzes to reinforce learning, drag-and-drop activities to encourage hands-on participation, and simulations to mimic real-world scenarios. Realistic case studies or workplace situations make the learning more relatable.  

By tailoring content to reflect employees’ daily tasks, learners are more likely to stay focused and complete the course. 

Challenge #5: managing Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) 

Collaborating with SMEs can be challenging, especially when they have limited time or don’t know how to translate their expertise into learner-friendly content. Often, SMEs are deeply immersed in their specialized knowledge, which can lead to overly complex or jargon-heavy material that’s difficult for learners to understand.  

This lack of clarity can slow down the content creation process and make the final product less effective for its intended audience. 

Solution: provide templates and coaching 

Offering templates or pre-designed frameworks simplifies the content creation process for SMEs. These tools guide them in structuring their expertise effectively. Provide short training sessions or resources that teach SMEs how to write clearly and concisely.  

Additionally, easy-to-use platforms like Easygenerator streamline the creation process, enabling SMEs to focus on sharing their knowledge without technical barriers. 

Challenge #6: keeping content updated 

Outdated training materials can lead to misinformation, reduced learner confidence, and even serious compliance risks that may expose the organization to legal and financial consequences. 

Solution: assign ownership and schedule regular reviews 

To keep e-learning content fresh, assign specific SMEs as content owners for each course. Use a centralized repository where all training materials are stored and easily accessible for updates.  

Establish a schedule for periodic reviews, such as quarterly or biannual evaluations. Implement feedback mechanisms where employees can report outdated or incorrect information, ensuring continuous improvement. 

Challenge #7: aligning e-learning content with business goals 

When e-learning content doesn’t align with organizational objectives, it risks misdirecting resources and delivering minimal impact on employee performance and business outcomes. This misalignment can lead to inefficiencies in training efforts and hinder the organization’s ability to meet its strategic goals effectively. 

Solution: collaborate with leadership 

Ensure alignment by involving leadership and department heads in the content creation process. Discuss organizational goals and identify how training content can support these priorities. Use metrics to measure the effectiveness of training in achieving business objectives, such as improved employee performance or increased customer satisfaction. Regularly review and refine content to keep it aligned with evolving business needs. 

Conclusion 

Creating e-learning content can seem overwhelming at first, especially when you encounter challenges like unclear objectives, limited time, or too much content. However, with the right approach and tools, these obstacles can be manageable. 

By setting clear learning objectives, you ensure your training aligns with business goals and provides meaningful outcomes. Using intuitive authoring tools like Easygenerator can save time and make content creation accessible to everyone in your organization. Adopting microlearning strategies further simplifies complex topics and enhances learner engagement. 

Remember, all e-learning challenges are an opportunity to refine your approach and create better learning experiences. With careful planning and the right resources, creating e-learning content can be a smooth and rewarding process that benefits your organization and its employees. 

Start creating e-learning content today with Easygenerator 

At Easygenerator, we believe in empowering every person in the business to share their expert knowledge. How do we do it? By designing zero-learning-curve e-learning content creation software that any employee can use to create their e-learning content.  

Choose from a pre-made template, edit with the easy drag-and-drop tool, and collaborate with co-authors without leaving the platform. It really is that easy!