Are You Making This Common Mistake in Your Online Courses?

The Elephant in the Virtual Classroom

Imagine, you’ve poured your heart and soul into creating an online course. You’ve compiled your vast expertise, crafted detailed lessons, and even added some interactive elements to keep things engaging. But when you finally launch your course, the results are… underwhelming. Low engagement, poor reviews, and dismal completion rates. Sound familiar? If it does, you might be making a common mistake that many Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) overlook when transitioning their knowledge into an online format.

We’re going to dive deep into that one critical error that could be sabotaging your online courses. We’ll explore why this mistake is so prevalent among experts, offer practical tips on how to avoid it, and share real-life examples of what works—and what doesn’t. By the end of this read, you’ll be better equipped to deliver online courses that not only educate but also captivate and convert. Ready? Let’s jump in!

The Common Mistake—Overloading Information Without Context or Engagement

Here’s the hard truth: Just because you know a lot doesn’t mean you need to share it all at once. The most common mistake SMEs make when creating online courses is overloading their content with information without providing enough context or engagement. It’s the digital equivalent of throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks.

As an SME, your depth of knowledge is both your greatest asset and your biggest challenge. It’s tempting to cram every bit of information into your course, thinking that more content equals more value. But in reality, this approach can overwhelm learners, leading to cognitive overload, confusion, and ultimately, disengagement.

Why This Mistake Is So Crucial to Avoid

Let’s break down why this is such a big deal:

1. Cognitive Overload:

When learners are bombarded with too much information, their brains struggle to process it all. Imagine trying to drink from a firehose—impossible, right? That’s how your learners feel when they’re faced with an avalanche of content. The result? They tune out, miss important points, or worse, give up on the course altogether.

2. Lack of Practical Application:

Information without context is just noise. Learners need to see how the knowledge they’re gaining applies to real-world situations. If your course is all theory and no practice, your learners might understand the “what,” but they’ll struggle with the “how.” This disconnect can leave them feeling frustrated and dissatisfied.

3. Engagement Drops:

Online learning is inherently self-directed. Without the immediate feedback and interaction of a classroom environment, it’s easy for learners to lose interest. If your course content is dry, dense, or irrelevant, engagement levels will plummet. And with that, so do completion rates and the likelihood of learners recommending your course to others.

Three Actionable Strategies to Avoid the Pitfall

Now that we’ve identified the problem, let’s talk about solutions. Here are three strategies you can implement immediately to avoid the common mistake of overloading your online courses with information:

1. Simplify and Streamline Your Content:

Less is often more. Instead of trying to cover every single detail, focus on the key concepts that your learners need to understand. Break down complex topics into bite-sized pieces, and prioritize clarity over quantity. Remember, your goal is to make learning easier, not harder. Use clear language, avoid jargon, and don’t be afraid to leave out information that isn’t directly relevant to your learners’ needs.

Practical Tip: Use the “80/20 Rule” (Pareto Principle) as a guideline. Identify the 20% of content that will deliver 80% of the value to your learners, and focus on that.

2. Incorporate Interactive and Practical Elements:

Engagement is key to retention. Incorporate quizzes, case studies, discussions, and hands-on exercises into your course to keep learners actively involved. The more they can interact with the material, the better they’ll retain it. Additionally, provide real-world examples and scenarios that show how the knowledge applies in practice. This not only reinforces learning but also makes the content more relatable and memorable.

Practical Tip: Include a “Check Your Understanding” quiz at the end of each module. This helps learners review what they’ve learned and gives them immediate feedback on their progress.

3. Design with the Learner in Mind:

Put yourself in your learners’ shoes. What do they already know? What do they need to know? How can you present the information in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand? Consider using a mix of media—videos, infographics, and podcasts—to cater to different learning styles. And don’t forget to structure your course logically, with a clear progression from one concept to the next.

Practical Tip: Start your course with a “Roadmap” video that outlines what learners will gain from the course and how it’s structured. This helps set expectations and gives learners a clear path to follow.

Real-Life Examples: What Works and What Doesn’t

Let’s take a look at a couple of real-life examples to see these strategies in action.

Case Study 1: The Overloaded Course

Dr. Salome Mshai, a Mombasa-based biologist, decided to create an online course on marine ecosystems. Eager to share her vast knowledge, she packed the course with in-depth lectures, complex scientific terms, and lengthy readings. Unfortunately, the course reviews were less than stellar. Learners found the content overwhelming, struggled to keep up, and many dropped out before completing the course.

Lesson Learned: Dr. Mshai’s course suffered from cognitive overload. By focusing too much on content quantity, she lost sight of the learners’ experience. Simplifying the material, using clear language, and incorporating interactive elements could have made a significant difference.

Case Study 2: The Streamlined Success

On the other hand, let’s look at Clarence, an expert in digital marketing, who created a course on social media strategy. Clarence focused on the most important aspects of social media marketing, breaking down complex concepts into manageable chunks. She used real-world case studies, interactive exercises, and video tutorials to keep learners engaged. The result? High completion rates, positive reviews, and many learners recommending her course to others.

Lesson Learned: Clarence’s course was successful because she prioritized clarity, engagement, and practical application. By putting herself in her learners’ shoes, she was able to design a course that was both informative and enjoyable.

Take Action and Avoid the Pitfall

Creating a successful online course as an SME is no small feat. It’s easy to fall into the trap of overloading your content with information, but as we’ve discussed, this common mistake can have serious consequences. By simplifying your content, incorporating interactive elements, and designing with the learner in mind, you can avoid this pitfall and create courses that truly resonate with your audience.

So, are you ready to take your online courses to the next level? Start by reviewing your existing content—where can you simplify, streamline, and engage more effectively? Implement the strategies we’ve discussed, and watch as your courses not only educate but also captivate and convert.

And remember, you’re not alone in this journey. We’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether you need guidance on course design, content creation, or engagement strategies, our team of experts is ready to support you. Let’s work together to create online courses that make a real impact.

Let’s do this…

If you’re ready to elevate your online courses, contact us today to learn more about our eLearning services for Subject Matter Experts. We’ll help you turn your knowledge into engaging, high-impact online courses that learners love. Don’t let your expertise go to waste—start creating courses that make a difference!