Neurodiversity and neurodivergence are two closely related but distinct concepts in psychology and neuroscience. Essentially, neurodivergence refers to the cognitive functions of neurodivergent people that are atypical in their processing of information compared to the dominant social or cultural norm. Neurodiversity, on the other hand, recognizes and celebrates these varieties of cognitive styles.

Neurodiversity: 5 reasons to celebrate difference 

People with autism, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or Tourette’s syndrome are among the neurodivergent individuals who need to be considered when developing online training so that they can benefit from it just as everyone else.

Because their cognitive style is different, instructional design teams must understand their particular needs in order to offer an optimal, motivating, and effective learning experience.

Inclusion

Online training courses that apply WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards (see post on accessibility) are generally adapted for neurodivergent people: streamlined styles, clarity of instructions, ability to adjust sound volume, consistency in presentation and instructions, etc.  

Why would a company choose to comply with these standards? What’s in it for them?

Simple!

It’s about ensuring that all members of the organization feel included and considered within the company. This particular consideration is reflected in work motivation, a sense of belonging and the productivity of people at work, among other things.

Creativity 

Because of their unique life experiences, neurodivergent people may have developed more divergent and innovative thinking than others, enabling them to see a plurality of options at once. They may also have developed a particular passion and expertise for a given subject. Or they may be more apt at recognizing trends and patterns that others might miss.

Ensuring that neurodivergent people have access to online training that adapts to their needs brings gives a company an edge in further stimulating and supporting their creativity, innovative spirit and unique point of view.

Work culture 

A company that considers the needs of all its team members is generally a great place to grow professionally. Employees who feel accepted and celebrated in all their differences are more eager and productive in their respective roles.

This creates a positive work climate where people experience a sense of security and openness.

Return on Investment 

Training employees, from the moment they onboard, and on an ongoing basis thereafter, is universally recognized as good practice.

The development of online training courses accessible to all certainly requires a slightly greater investment. However, the benefits in terms of productivity, employee stability within a company, and the possibility of leveraging increased creativity are well worth the greater investment.

Brand image 

Seeing people with neurodivergences as corporate assets makes them excellent ambassadors for the company they work for.

And let’s not forget that this attitude usually also applied to the company’s customer base.

Together, these two poles go a long way towards enhancing a company’s brand image, which usually has an impact on market share.

In closing, it is important to highlight some initiatives undertaken in the past within companies that have left a positive mark for the inclusion of neurodivergent people.

The Autism at Work program at SAP (a multinational software company); the initiative to hire autistic or neurodivergent people at Microsoft; the EY Neurodiverse Center of Excellence at Ernst&Young. 

Makes you want to celebrate, doesn’t it?

Can serious, high-stakes subjects be… Fun? Absolutely!

We’ve all been there: difficult, dry subject matter, weighty or critical questions that can make learning unappealing. How do you handle these course matters in e-learning and give them their proper standing, while keeping the people they are meant for engaged?

The answer can be found in serious games and the gamification of learning.

First, avoid approaching the task with the idea that we need to get through it as quickly as we can, hoping it will be as painless as possible. Opening up to the possibility that even difficult subjects or subjects considered serious or delicate can be enjoyable and engaging learning subjects is the gateway to gamification.

Think “games” : board games, video games, riddles, challenges, etc.

Finding out what makes these games fun and enjoyable, and what keeps you engaged, is the key to identifying what can be pulled from their inner workings and included into an e-learning course. Is it the competition, against others or against the game itself? Is it the level of difficulty or complexity of it? Is collecting money, rewards, or badges so satisfying? A who dunnit or an escape room? Or maybe it’s influencing the story as it unfolds? A bit of all that?

All these elements can be drawn from the games we know and enjoy, adapted, and used in the concept of the training so as to bring a learning experience that provides a high degree of motivation.

Narration, characters and avatars

Gamifying learning also involves the use of characters or avatars and targeted narration to bring a captivating story to life for learners. We slip into a role, interacting in the surrounding environment – whether realistic or fanciful, it doesn’t matter, as long as it’s credible, logical, and tailored to the target audience – to solve a riddle, find solutions, succeed in a mission, and so on.

Flexing the creativity muscle

At first glance, you might think that some areas of expertise or subject matters simply don’t have anything to do with creativity. However, let’s not forget that problem-solving, in itself, is a manifestation of creativity: taking familiar elements out of context, arranging them in a new way, collaborating with others to achieve a goal, are all situations with the potential to yield novel outcomes, and so they become opportunities to bring out divergent thinking and foster inventiveness in people.

A wide range of media

Varied media use also contributes to the playful atmosphere of a training course: incorporating animations, videos, illustrations, or photos, not to mention all the ambient sounds, enhances the immersion and simulation effect, which makes the content more attractive and therefore more engaging.

All these visual aids have the power to convey all of the content without the impression of having it spoon-fed to the intended audience, as is the case when long readings are presented.

What about humour?

When it’s unexpected, intelligent, or quirky, humor can also be a powerful tool for making learning more engaging for the target audience.

Using humor in e-learning is not without its challenges. People are at a different time and place from the training entity. You must use the right amount of humor, consider the diversity of the target audience, always ensure relevance and, above all, avoid humor that might be offensive. As is the case for many other communications situations, you need to have a thorough knowledge of your audience and adjust your message accordingly.

The gamification of learning and serious games aim to make learners’ journeys and experiences more fun, motivating, and effective by borrowing elements from game design.

To be effective, gamification must be implemented thoughtfully, lean on strong learning outcomes, and focus on the needs of the intended learners, so that learning remains the main objective of the course.

See for yourself how gamification can be leveraged!

Beyond the norm that has been gaining traction recently, inclusive writing in e-learning training materials positively contributes to the learning experience of the individuals being trained.

Why Use Inclusive Writing in Online Training?

A Growing Practice

Inclusive writing is increasingly becoming the standard for writing in businesses, organizations, and governments.

The same applies to all types of training products, especially online training, where the writing of content and narratives must consider gender equality, the representation of all individuals, and ensure the visibility of minority groups.

In doing so, an eLearning course that adheres to inclusive writing not only highlights gender issues and the feminization of professional titles but also emphasizes the diversity of individuals in all their cultural and linguistic dimensions, their physical specificities or disabilities, as well as their age and generation.

Sense of Belonging and Motivation to Learn

Being seen, represented, and included in scenarios, case studies, and the concepts presented contributes to learners’ sense of belonging and, in turn, promotes motivation and engagement in learning.

How?

If the educational material produced reflects and respects the reality, identity, and perspective of all individuals, it is better positioned to achieve its learning objective.

The intentional choice to eliminate barriers and sources of alienation, such as stereotypical constructs, for example, can help avoid feelings that diminish motivation to learn, such as a sense of invisibility, lack of positive role models, or even marginalization.

Promotion of Egalitarian Values

In a multicultural context, a company that chooses inclusive writing in all of its communications, including the training it provides to its staff, is choosing to promote egalitarian values both within the organization and externally, through the influence it generates.

This also demonstrates social sensitivity to current issues.

Language is constantly evolving, and that’s a good thing. The systematic use of inclusion in writing and other forms of communication helps stay up-to-date and in sync with the broader evolution of today’s society, which is undoubtedly focused on the acceptance of all individuals.

You have undoubtedly noticed that many companies are now turning to shorter learning methods? With the rise of digital technologies and social media, learning habits are evolving considerably. Learners now prefer short and interactive formats, tailored to their fragmented attention and need for flexibility. By opting for more condensed virtual learning methods, companies can respond more quickly to changing market requirements and adjust their training goals more effectively!

Microlearning comes into play, but what does it really involve? What are its advantages compared to other e-learning training approaches?

Flexibility & autonomy

With microlearning, there’s no need to fuss over long learning modules anymore! Sessions are short, between 5 and 15 minutes, perfect for fitting into a busy schedule. Learners can access them anytime, anywhere, for total freedom! These short capsules also allow for easy reference if needed.

Engagement & high retention of learning

Were you aware that microlearning courses have an impressive average knowledge retention rate of 70% to 90%, far surpassing the measly 15% retention rate of traditional learning methods? Thanks to modules focused on specific subjects, individuals undergoing training can improve targeted skills more rapidly. The newly acquired knowledge should also be applied more quickly. Content in the form of videos, quizzes, or simulations makes learning fun and engaging!

Affordable & adaptable

Microlearning can be a cost-effective solution for companies, as it requires fewer resources and time compared to traditional learning programs. According to statistics, microlearning has the potential to cut development costs by 50% and boost development speed by 300%. Moreover, knowing that adaptations and changes are frequent, with this online training method, content modifications are greatly simplified!

Microlearning is an effective approach to providing knowledge and skills in a practical and relevant manner, tailored to our constantly evolving modern world where time is precious.

If you have recognized benefits that would be advantageous to you, microlearning is probably the right approach for your online training projects!

You have certainly taken online courses before. Some ran smoothly, in a logical and intuitive way, while others… not so much. How can we explain this difference in learning experiences?

That’s the invaluable contribution of a UX/UI designer!

UX/UI Designer? What Is It?

While graphic designers use their creativity to craft impactful visual concepts, UX/UI designers ensure that the online learning experience is seamless.

UX/UI designers are like the architects and interior designers of a digital home. The user experience (UX) is carefully designed down to the smallest detail to make the platform enjoyable and intuitive. Then, the aesthetic touch (UI) is added to make everything visually appealing. The digital journey is crafted so that every click is a pleasure!

UX/UI designers also work passionately to seamlessly integrate the company’s identity into every visual aspect, from color palettes and typography to icons

Understanding the Target Audience

The starting point for UX/UI designers’ work begins with a deep understanding of the specific needs of the training to be designed, as well as the unique profile of each learner.

Then come these key questions:

• What is their level of comfort with technology?
• Are they online gaming enthusiasts?
• What is their level of literacy and writing skills?
• Do they have any specific accessibility needs?

Creating Functional Mockups

Imagine you want to offer your team an online training on using brand new software. In this new venture, it’s crucial to understand the various screens the development team plans to use to ensure their user-friendliness.

From the very beginning of the development process, the key to success lies in the ability to anticipate how the interface will function for all parties involved.

UX/UI designers will eagerly create sketches and functional mockups (wireframes) to help you visualize the final result. Who knows, these sketches might even spark ideas you hadn’t thought of before!

Conceptualizing the Learning Journey

When the complexity of a project requires it, having a clear vision of the sequence of learning activities is essential. This not only ensures a smooth experience for learners but also ensures that the mechanics underlying interactions with clickable elements are carefully designed.

UX/UI designers are the heroes and heroines of this crucial step. Armed with collaborative tools and software, they work as a team to find the most suitable solutions for the training.

Whether it’s ensuring optimal accessibility through thoughtful choices of colors, contrasts, and typography, organizing information on screen in a clear and hierarchical way, or using a variety of visual techniques, one thing is certain: online training enhanced by the expertise of UX/UI designers offers an unparalleled learning experience compared to those without this magical touch!

Let’s celebrate creativity and innovation across the globe!

Psst! Coming soon on our blog: How AI Is Revolutionizing the World of UX/UI Design