Great eLearning Voiceover Stats Speak for Themselves
eLearning takes between 40% and 60% less time than traditional training. And companies with comprehensive training programs had 24% higher profit margins. It’s a faster, more flexible, more engaging way of learning. What learner doesn’t want quality content, with pleasing and interactive visuals, and of course, brilliantly dynamic, voice-over? Great eLearning voiceover draws ‘em in and keeps ‘em interested.
The Balancing Act of Pacing
Ever been in a classroom and had the agony or sinking feeling of “I don’t understand,” or the dreaded feeling of having a very stupid question. Maybe you missed last week’s class, or just didn’t get It then and still don’t get It now. Falling behind can be the death knell to any learner. It’s one of the reasons why I along with millions am such passionate advocates of eLearning. A student can pause, rewind, and listen again. Missing a lecture becomes the equivalent of missing an episode on Netflix. A couple of clicks and voila, you haven’t missed anything at all.
The skilled voiceover narrator acts like the best teacher ever, the teachers from movies and books, the ones you wished you had when you were a kid. They inspire, motivate and engage the audience. Ensuring the sound quality is where it should be. That the tone is right for the audience and the pacing is at the right level. Too fast and the learner doesn’t have time to absorb the information, too slow and they might get bored. While learners might be able to pause, that’s not the goal. eLearning is more efficient for a reason. When the narration is done right the learner can pause but doesn’t have to.
Great eLearning Voiceover Content Creation
eLearning is as amazing as it has become because of the amount of time and knowledge a whole host of people are putting into getting it just right. Instructional designers who lay it all out. The scriptwriters and SMEs whip what could be dull as dirt into something illuminating and entertaining. Graphic gurus and animation heroes who tantalize the eyes with visuals. Educational psychology’s who devote so much time into figuring out just what combination of visual, auditory, information, and entertainment gets the learner’s brain buzzing. And then voiceover narrators like me, yet another set of wizards behind the curtain.
The eLearning narrator is acutely aware that their voice is often the human element that ties it all together. Wrapping those hard-worked visuals and words into something engaging, dynamic, (fun where appropriate), and clear. We all play a part, and the module is going to help or hinder a potentially massive group of learners.
It’s something that’s simply not possible in a traditional learning environment. Each classroom can’t have its very own team of wizards, conducting the lesson in real-time behind the curtain. All these e-educational experts have access to some of the best and newest data available, they can see how people learn. How often to push pause. How well do participants do in tests in a particular module? Question and answers, each round adding to a more immersive and more engaging formula that adds up to more positive stats about eLearning.
Developing countries are getting access to world-class courses and classes, lecturers from the best in their fields are available to millions instead of the few that happen to be in the area. Since the year 2000, the market growth rate has been 900%. The world of information is opening even further, as top-tier universities such as Harvard and Stanford now offer online courses.
An Instructional Design Emphasis on Intent and Understanding
Placing the right emphasis in the right place completely changes the meaning of a sentence, and as eLearning narrators, it’s part of the job to make sure that emphasis and our other tools work to benefit the learner.
There have been more than a few studies on how people learn and absorb information, one that I find interesting is the “Readers-response” theory. When we read, we are prone to applying our own interpretation. In some instances, this can be great. Fantastic arguments have been waged over the true intention behind a novel or a bit of poetry. In eLearning, this is not the desired outcome. Clear communication of concepts and ideas is a fundamental principle.
A good voice over artist uses tone, pitch, and emphasis to unlock the deeper meaning behind the text. Our work tools are other people’s words, so in essence it behooves us to study all manner of writing, scripts and messages. Both the way they’re put together and the way they’re presented. The craft work of eLearning narrators is quick profound understanding of information and dynamic, enlightening presentation of same.
Beyond intent and the risk of ambiguity, a voice over artist engages the learner. Light and warm and then serious and knowledgeable, depending on what the occasion calls for. At all times avoiding the deadly drone that may lull the learner into disconnection or confusion.
Ahead of the Curve with Corporate eLearning
The industry is adopting eLearning at a rate of knots, fully embracing it in a way that is sure to leave some behind. Will it be the same as other technology that serves the general population better, like telephones or computers. Companies that are slow to catch up or stay abreast are at risk of being left behind. Staying competitive in a rapidly changing landscape is worth it. The savings outstrip the costs, replacing expensive classrooms and difficult timelines with eLearning modules that can be absorbed almost anywhere and at any time.
The pandemic has increased the appetite for eLearning even further, with companies who adopted it earlier reaping the benefits. Looking at business alone, the Global Corporate E-Learning market is expected to reach $49.87 billion by 2026.
An article by McKinsey highlights the necessity of businesses investing in employee upskilling and learning, “double down on their learning budgets and commit to reskilling”, with a focus on digital methods that form part of a larger strategy. Noting that if companies cut budgets now, they’re only delaying the payment, not saving money. “What you can and should do is focus on the resilience of your learning ecosystem: make it both more digital (including in-sync digital components to replace in-person ones) and more accessible to your employees. Finally, leverage the ready-made learning journeys and objects of external partners.”
More Options in eLearning on Online Training Means Better Quality
The industry is growing, and with most things, growth means choice. More choice means better quality. Healthy competition. There is no reason for corporations or individuals to put up with shoddy images and video or crackling robot voice-over. Higher quality eLearning modules lead to faster and more effective learning. With the Millennial generation fluent in tech, they are likely to raise a judgmental eyebrow at any platform offering a lower standard than your average YouTuber. And the next generation is going to have even more to say about boring voice-over and uninspired content.
As the President of Udemy, Darren Shimkus says, “The biggest challenge is for learners is to figure out what skills are emerging, what they can do to compete best in the global market. We’re in a world that’s changing so quickly that skills that were valued just three or four years ago are no longer relevant. People are confused and don’t know what they should be learning.” These students don’t have time to devote to slow learning, they need to be up to date and on-trend. Engaged and entertained.