Training is only effective when learners retain the knowledge and successfully apply it. Natural learning refers to our human capacity to learn more through curiosity, exploration, and experience than through structured, formal instruction. It focuses on self-directed learning, where we seek knowledge according to our interests and needs. 
Natural learning is crucial in digital content creation to help learners engage with the material and retain what they learn. That’s because content that incorporates personal insights and experiences makes it more relatable and memorable. When information is easily accessible/understood, there’s improved learning retention and better adoption of the information. Let’s discuss how to leverage natural learning design for greater productivity and business growth.

Key Cognitive Principles for Learning Retention
Cognitive learning theories offer core principles that shape natural learning content development. These principles include:

Chunking, Working Memory, and Schema-Building
These three interconnected cognitive principles aid memory and learning. Chucking groups pieces of information into meaningful chunks (or units). This minimizes the load on the learner’s working memory, promoting long-term memory storage. Working memory refers to our limited cognitive capacity to interact with information as we complete cognitive tasks. Schemas are mental frameworks that we develop from our past experiences and help us better interpret and organize new information. This enhances recall and learning.

Reducing Cognitive Overload with Visual Simplicity
Cognitive overload is the unnecessary mental strain arising from poor presentation of information. Visual simplicity greatly minimizes this cognitive strain by reducing distractions and presenting information for easy comprehension. Employing crucial techniques such as clear information hierarchy, sufficient whitespace, and uniform design patterns can keep learners’ attention and enhance their ability to navigate and understand the content.

Emotional Engagement and Memory Retention
When learners emotionally engage with the training material, it significantly enhances learning retention. As learners associate the content with strong emotions, it increases the likelihood of it being encoded for later recall. That’s because emotional engagement stimulates the amygdala, the section of the brain that processes emotions and memory formation. Then the amygdala regulates other brain regions that promote memory consolidation, which enhances long-term memory retention. 

Designing for the Way Humans Learn
Natural learning design ensures that course materials accommodate diverse learning styles. Here are some learning strategies to consider:

Navigable Structures, Guided Discovery, and Feedback Loops
Incorporating learning strategies, such as navigable structures, guided discovery and feedback loops enhances knowledge retention and learning experience. Navigable structures refer to the pathways for natural exploration and self-directed learning. Guided discovery also allows learners to explore and construct new knowledge with an instructor’s support. Creating and using feedback loops ensures ongoing training refinement and improvement.

Storytelling and Contextual Learning
Stories have engaged us for centuries. Stories offer learners the opportunity to understand new information within the relevant context. Employing a storytelling approach improves learners’ comprehension, knowledge retention, and makes the learning experience enjoyable and effective.

Leveraging Multimodal Formats
Digital learning strategies leverage multimodal formats, such as text, audio, motion, and quizzes. Incorporating these diverse media accommodates different preferences and provides a more inclusive and effective experience. These elements are crucial in eLearning modules since they improve accessibility, learner engagement, and learning retention across various learning styles.

Practical Techniques for eLearning Teams
Some effective techniques for content development teams include:

Wireframing Learning Experiences
Wireframing the learning experience creates simplified, visual outlines of the online learning environment’s layout. These outlines help your team focus on user functionality and learner experience. Wireframing maps the learning journey to ensure structured, clear, and engaging course materials.

Designing for Cognitive Flow

Designing for cognitive flow goes beyond the user interface (or UI).  This cognitive approach helps learners to get immersed and engaged, leading to optimal performance and satisfaction. It focuses on how learners think, access, and process information to create design interfaces, interactions, and course content that promotes intuition, appropriate challenge, and engagement. Cognitive course design accounts for the overall ease with which learners interact with the content to ensure a satisfactory and efficient learner experience.

Learning Design Checklists and Peer Testing

These are valuable instructional design tools that ensure quality and efficiency. Checklists include all the components of the learning experience and ensure quality standards are met. Peer testing means having colleagues review and assess the learning design to get feedback from various perspectives. Incorporating such feedback improves the training content and enhances the learning outcomes.

Results of Natural Learning Experiences

Incorporating natural learning in content development leads to effective training design and learning outcomes. Attrition rates tend to be high in online courses. However, natural learning training modules promote a positive learning experience and learning retention, which motivates learners to complete their training programs. 
When your customers and employees complete these training programs, it yields benefits for your company. Empowered customers require less support and this means a reduced volume of support tickets and lower operating costs. Employee training leads to faster onboarding as new employees become self-sufficient, become better integrated into the company, and make valuable contributions

Natural Learning: Invest in Effective Training Design
Natural learning design in customer and employee training programs yields significant benefits. Course material that incorporates learners’ personal insights and experiences is more memorable and engaging. In turn, engaged learners can better access and retain the information and apply their knowledge effectively. Empowered customers and employees lead to more efficient operations, business growth, and sustainable profits.
Custom eLearning training courses that leverage natural learning can help your company achieve its strategic goals. They are impactful, engaging, and results-oriented solutions. TrainIKU’s learning design approach can transform your employees’ and customers’ development and yield significant business results. We invite you to explore how our training design services can help you create customized training programs that align with your company’s goals, culture, and brand. Let us help you improve your daily operations and grow your bottom line and market competitiveness.

Request Your Customized Training Proposal Now