Tips For Using Audio in eLearning Courses

Learning is a multi-sensory experience. The more we invoke our senses, the better we absorb the content.

According to a study by the OSHA Department of Training and Education,we only retain 35% from a visual presentation and 10% from an oral one. When visuals and audio are combined, we generally retain 65% of what we learn.

Jillian Douglas recording audio for an elearning course

However, information retention isn't always the number-one priority in elearning. Sometimes elearning serves as a powerful on-demand toolbox that's there when you need it. But even if we don't expect learners to remember everything they're exposed to in an online course, the instructional design should still be engaging.

Too often, elearning is just passive presentation of information. At ILG, we follow a three-phase approach to create a more complete learning experience. Our second phase, which we call "Think, Feel, Move, ™" is designed to engage participants cognitively, emotionally, and physically.

Used appropriately, audio can help you connect with learners on an emotional level by enhancing the sensory experience. Here are some guidelines for incorporating audio into elearning:

1. Avoid repeating verbatim the words that appear on screen.
   Have you ever been part of the audience in which the presenter read everything to you from the screen? Did it make you want to scream? It's annoying. And it just creates mental overload. In her book Evidence-Based Training Methods, Ruth Colvin Clark recommends: "Use audio to explain complex visuals and avoid a combination of text and redundant narration of that text."
2. Create an authentic voice for narration.
   The course narrator should never talk down to the learner or waste anyone's time by talking too much. The voiceover artist's tone and language should reflect the learning audience's needs and expectations. After writing your script, read it out loud multiple times. Cut out unnecessary words before recording.
3. Include audio controls.
   Not all learners are in an environment where they can listen to narrated elearning, and some may be using computers without audio cards. Allow learners to pause the audio or adjust the volume as they desire.
4. Understand your learners' access limitations.
   As we mentioned above, some learners may be using computers without audio capabilities. It goes without saying that you need this information before creating the course. If you're unsure whether all learners have audio access, you may still include audio but also carefully convey the information visually so that learners will still benefit from the content.
5. Use audio effects as needed to provoke emotions or set a mood.Just as in movies, sound effects can help set the scene and tell a story in elearning courses. Don't overdo it. Use sound effects to enhance content, not as a novelty. A honking horn can signify danger in an auto safety course. In a course about training dogs, a recording of a fierce growl has, well, more bite than voiceover that says, "a growling dog makes a scary sound." And just like in life, it's also important to know when to stay silent, such as during quizzes or activities that require intense concentration.

What are your experiences with using or listening to audio in online learning?