ELEARNING AUTOMATION: FULL GUIDE

Even if the idea of automation is rather wide, it basically comes down to one factor - algorithms - in the context of online learning and online courses. With their assistance, numerous functions that manage specific elements of the training systems are developed, sparing teachers from additional regular work.

Algorithms, for example, can manage the delivery of content to different groups of students based on their performance. Another example is testing and evaluation. Test automation can range from quickly displaying the right answer to a specific question to the production of whole full-fledged quizzes depending on the subject presented. And these are only a handful of the many examples of eLearning automation.

How Does eLearning Automation Work?

Learning automation is a type of artificial intelligence that assists teachers in developing first-rate training courses. You don't need to write any code because everything has already been done for you and is working in the background.

Many operations inside common eLearning processes and a single LMS system may be automated with the aid of these algorithms. We gathered the most basic functions and described how algorithms could automate them. 

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Benefits of eLearning Automation

Automation would not be so popular if it did not have the undeniable benefits that teachers get at their disposal.

1. Reduced Course Development Time

According to the survey, 29% of respondents said they spent more than 100 hours creating their online course. Furthermore, the construction of an online course takes several times as long as the production of a traditional face-to-face course. Because of the capabilities of algorithms, eLearning automation is intended to minimize the time required to build a course.

Automation can help you avoid tedious duties and concentrate your efforts on more crucial parts of course design. Algorithms, for example, may produce exams and then evaluate student replies on your behalf. You don't have to spend time generating exams from the start, arranging them, picking answers, and so on since the system performs everything for you using your training resources. Related article: How Much Does it Cost to Develop an Educational App?

2. Personalized Learning Experience

One of the most significant advantages of online learning is a personalised approach. And it can function almost as effectively as Netflix, which offers TV episodes based on our preferences and interests. Automation algorithms can assist teachers in providing a personalized experience for each student. Algorithms can assign specific curricular units to each student depending on their progress or prior knowledge. Alternatively, eLearning automation can assist students improve their knowledge by making automatic recommendations for more study.

3. Improved Learning Motivation

One of the most difficult tasks for many teachers has always been retaining pupils and enhancing student participation in the learning process. In the field of online learning, there are several strategies for increasing engagement, such as leaderboards, achievements, gaming features, and so on. Among them are also automation algorithms.

They can boost student engagement with apparently trivial factors. Students, for example, can get automatic reminders regarding assignment due dates or the availability of new tasks to do. Furthermore, eLearning automation algorithms can give individualized suggestions to learners, inform them when additional resources related to the topic of study become accessible, and much more. All of these quality-of-life enhancements have a positive impact on engagement.

4. Automated Reporting

It's difficult to conceive a successful teaching process in the absence of a reporting system. Previously, instructors had to track all of the data on their own and manually generate tables and graphs to demonstrate the efficacy of their work. However, eLearning automation can now handle this regular labor. Teachers are liberated from time-consuming reporting procedures since algorithms can accomplish it faster and easier. Furthermore, the algorithm-driven reporting system remains extremely adaptable since teachers may fine-tune all parts of the reports, from the names of columns in tables to the final file format.

5. Enhanced Feedback Mechanism

Good feedback is always the key to success. It is not enough to bring out a mistake when instructing. It is vital to demonstrate to the pupil how to increase his current knowledge. Automation facilitates the process of delivering feedback to pupils. In addition to merely labeling erroneous responses, the algorithm may offer information that will help them improve their understanding. The impact on learning is going to be great when a student receives customized material with extensive information on issues they are struggling with.

Tips to Automate eLearning Process

As you may have noticed, the eLearning automation features are extensive and provide several choices for improving existing learning. It's time to get to the meat of our article: the crucial strategies for automating your learning process. 

Related article: AI in eLearning. The Importance of Chatbots.

Tip #1. Start Slowly, Then Grow

The first thing you should avoid is automating all components of online learning at the same time. This approach might lead to the fact that you simply cannot thoroughly analyze all elements of automation and squander your resources.

The first step is to consider and automate the most routine operations that take the most time but are also quite straightforward. As a result, you will be able to kill two birds with one stone by automating a routine process and testing the eLearning automation capabilities. After that, thoroughly consider your team's input on the automated outcomes before proceeding.

Tip #2. Map Your Process Flow

For proper automation, you must properly understand how processes function and where bottlenecks interfere with their performance. It would be preferable if you collaborated closely with people in charge of this procedure. For example, if teachers complain about regularly checking exams or forgetting to distribute assignments to some students, you should speak with them to explain the intricacies of these procedures.

This knowledge will assist in creating a diagram of the entire process and determining which sections can be automated and how. Of course, if you are a jack of all crafts and handle all learning processes yourself, your work is marginally easier because you are already aware of the major flaws in eLearning that necessitate automation.

Tip #3. Automate Learner Communication

Backend procedures in online learning should be automated initially since there are many activities that can be performed without the need for human participation. For example, students enroll in a course, and then a lengthy process of planning, administration, and communication among course personnel begins. eLearning automation entails gathering and verifying course information (start time, duration, and so on), transmitting it to each student, and much more.

Automation can assist avoid unneeded difficulty with formalities through automated letters delivered to all pupils at once by e-mail and include all the relevant information.

Tip #4. Automation-Based Feedback

The simplicity with which you get feedback has a direct impact on how quickly you can implement that input to the advantage of your course. Furthermore, in addition to receiving direct feedback from students, you may collect data that, when correctly examined, can enhance the content and pacing of online learning. Related article: Why Edutainment is an Absolute Game-changer in Learning?

It is worthwhile to incorporate digital quizzes and exams into your course framework for appropriate eLearning automation. This kind of feedback will provide you with a sample of data, and you may notice, for example, that students regularly receive worse grades in one module than in others. Based on this information, you may easily identify and address the module's flaws.

Tip #5. Automate Your Certification Process

Certificates are an important component of online learning. They attest to the course's knowledge and serve as a prize for students who complete the course. Let us not forget that a certificate is a proof of knowledge that may be utilized.

However, the granting of credentials for management courses is usually connected with a workload, and the more students that graduate, the longer this procedure takes. It is worthwhile to automate the issuing of certificates in order to alleviate instructors and administrators of online education problems. The system should operate in the same manner as the manager, filling in all relevant data (student personal data, course name, completion date, etc.). It's also a good idea to deliver certificates to pupils through email.

Wrapping Up

eLearning automation has several advantages that make online learning more pleasurable and productive for all parties involved, from regular students to course managers. However, it would be beneficial if you approached automation with caution, and the ideal solution would be to hire a professional team that can effectively implement algorithms.

PioGroup Software is a supplier of online learning solutions with years of subject experience and hundreds of completed projects across several sectors. Tell us about your eLearning problem that has to be automated, and our experts will come up with the finest solution.