Issue #3: Making courses like your favourite mixtape
Moving from creation first to curation first can be extremely effective, but only if you do it right!
Editors Foreword
Here’s a little welcome message to the third issue of LD MENA.
Featured Article - 7 tips for effective content curation
In the current era of information overload, effective content curation has become essential for maximising the potential of learning and development initiatives when moving away from a ‘build first’ mindset. While the digital landscape offers a wealth of eLearning resources, the challenge lies not just in gathering content but in ensuring that it leads to meaningful learning experiences. This article explores what content curation is, the issues with erratic content curation, seven actionable tips for effective content curation, and strategies for evaluating, maintaining, and utilising the right learning resources and content libraries.
What do we mean by ‘Content Curation’?
Content curation is the process of gathering, organising, and managing information relevant to a particular topic or area of interest. It involves selecting high-quality resources that add value to the learning experience. In the context of L&D, curating content effectively means providing learners with the right resources that align with their needs and learning objectives.
The Issue with Erratic Content Curation
The digital landscape is saturated with eLearning resources, making it easy for organisations to accumulate vast amounts of content without a strategic approach. This often leads to confusion and disengagement among learners. When users are presented with an overwhelming array of choices, they may struggle to identify which resources are relevant to their learning objectives. This paradox of choice can ultimately undermine the effectiveness of training initiatives. Moreover, erratic content curation can result in a lack of coherence in learning paths. Without a clear focus, learners may find themselves navigating through unrelated materials, leading to frustration and decreased motivation. To combat these challenges, L&D professionals must prioritise quality over quantity and adopt a structured approach to content curation.
7 Tips for Curating Content Effectively
Based on best practices in content curation, here are seven actionable steps to create a meaningful learning experience:
Identify Audience Needs: Understand the specific needs of your audience rather than relying on perceived requirements. Determine what questions the resources should answer and the level of insight required.
Source Content: Look for both paid and free content. Paid sources include platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy Business, and Pluralsight. Free resources can be found on YouTube, Medium, and various podcasts.
Critique Content: Evaluate the relevance, credibility, and accessibility of the content. Ensure it aligns with the identified needs and is appealing to the target audience.
Create an Experience: Design a learning experience that incorporates a mix of mediums (videos, articles, interactive elements) while maintaining a consistent message. Ensure that the navigation is logical and not overwhelming.
Publish Your Learning Resource: Before publishing, test all links and navigate through the content as a learner. Once ready, publish on your learning platform and inform learners about the new resources.
Housekeeping: Regularly check that links are functional and that the content remains relevant. Update materials as necessary to keep the learning experience aligned with current needs.
Investigate and Analyse: Utilise system access data and learner surveys to assess the effectiveness of the curated content. Conduct a critical analysis to identify areas for improvement and adjust strategies accordingly.
Focus areas for making the most of the right content
To ensure effective content curation, L&D professionals should focus on the following areas when exploring the content to utilise in your curation:
Define Clear Learning Objectives: Establish specific learning goals that guide content selection. Identifying what learners need to know ensures that each piece of content serves a distinct purpose in the learning journey.
Prioritise Relevance: Select content that directly addresses defined objectives. Curating materials that resonate with the audience's needs and interests enhances engagement and retention.
Seek Feedback: Continuous improvement is essential for effective curation. Gathering feedback from learners about their preferences and needs allows L&D professionals to refine their curation process and better align it with learner expectations.
Embrace Microlearning: Breaking content into smaller, digestible modules facilitates easier consumption and retention. Microlearning caters to giving your learners the answers to their questions quicker and allows learners to engage with content at their own pace.
Evaluate Continuously: Regular assessment of content effectiveness is crucial. This includes tracking learner engagement and outcomes, as well as replacing outdated materials with fresh, relevant resources. Continuous evaluation ensures that the content library remains dynamic and effective.
Enhance Communication Strategies: It's vital to market learning offerings effectively. Developing a robust communication strategy that highlights the value of available content can increase awareness and enthusiasm among learners.
Maximise Content Libraries: Implement a systematic approach to content management. This includes categorising resources, tagging them for easy retrieval, and regularly archiving materials that are no longer relevant. A well-organised content library improves accessibility and enhances the overall learning experience.
Final thoughts
Transforming your eLearning content libraries into vibrant, curated ecosystems is all about having a smart strategy that puts quality and relevance front and center! Start by setting clear goals and focusing on the content that truly matters. It’s important to keep evaluating your resources so you can create engaging learning experiences that really resonate with your audience.
Don’t forget to embrace microlearning and effective communication strategies—they can really boost the impact of your curated content! The ultimate aim here is to empower learners with the specific knowledge they need to grow and thrive.
By keeping these seven friendly tips in mind and staying organized with your content libraries, you can steer clear of the common pitfalls of haphazard content curation. This way, you’ll unlock the full potential of your learning initiatives and make a real difference in your organization!
- John Hinchliffe
Editor & Founder, LD MENA
Upcoming Events
Dubai, UAE - L&D Meetup from LD MENA
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M.E. and L&D
In each issue, we delve into the inspiring journeys of trailblazers in the L&D sector across the MENA region, uncovering their unique insights, their origin stories and innovative approaches that have helped them in their careers to hopefully inspire your own journey.
For this issue, we are blessed to have Talent Development Practitioner and Serial Entrepreneur Willem Maritz.
In this interview, we have the privilege of learning more about Willem and his incredible journey. He has successfully built several business and talent development solutions and is currently focused on solving the gap between what universities teach and what employers need.
For me, what makes Willem so fascinating is not only his ability to build big companies but also the fact that he is still very hands-on and learning by being a hands-on practitioner, which I think is incredibly unique.
Fuel this newsletter
Hey there, wonderful reader! We're brewing up something special for the next issue of our newsletter, and we could use a little boost. Would you consider buying us a cup of coffee to keep the ideas percolating? Your support helps us bring you the freshest content, and every sip fuels our creativity. Thanks-a-latte for your generosity! ☕😊
Thanks for joining us for this issue of LD MENA!
- John Hinchliffe