9 eLearning Content Types for Better Engagement +Examples

When it comes to creating eLearning content, you often have this one question in mind… “How can I make my content effective and enjoyable at the same time?”. The simple answer? Refer to the learning outcomes and see through your students to understand what they like better. 

But what types of content will bring your course to life? Do you have to include videos, or are there other ways to keep learners engaged? And how can you ensure your eLearning content encourages students to stick with it and reach the finish line?

Let’s find out the answers and see how you can implement the tips we gathered from pro creators for this article. 

eLearning content types pro creators advise incorporating 

If you are looking for a great eLearning content experience, we recommend keeping the formats diverse. Why? Simply because variety keeps learners engaged, encourages them to interact with the material in different ways, and thus helps them retain information better.

With this in mind, we will explore nine effective types of eLearning content that can make your course more engaging and enjoyable.

Video lectures  

Videos are one of the most widely used formats. And there is a reason for that. Statistics found that viewers retain 95% of a message when it is presented in video form. If we compare it to the same content in text, that is just 10%. 

“If you can and are able to record video content, we're going to start there because video content creates trust. When we're recording video content, however, we're going to look into the learning experience. We're going to keep minimal slides and make sure we do not have anything that can distract them. We're going to choose either you're speaking to the camera, or they're reading the slides”. 

Mariana Pena

Instructional Designer

So, what types of videos can you use in your course? Here are a few options that work well. 

• Talking-head videos. This is the classic “you talking to the camera” format. It is perfect for connecting personally with students, especially when you just introduce the course and yourself. 
• Screen recordings. If your course is heavy on tools, software, or any process that you need to show, screen recordings are excellent. It is perfect for courses that show a step-by-step guide and the students can watch and follow. 
• Animated explainers: Sometimes, animated visuals do a great job if you need to break down the concepts. They help to visualize the information, which makes the students stick with the content. 

Now, you can use any format that helps to achieve the learning objectives better. You can incorporate them into your live training sessions, during webinars, or your video tutorials. 

For example, Ronny Hermosa, who is a well-known Canva expert, has a course about mastering Canva. In the course, he explains how to use the tool to create visuals to promote the business. So, he uses the screen recording of the tools when he heeds to explain a specific feature, especially the AI features. 

How can you make your video content more engaging? 

1. Keep it short and sweet. People’s attention spans are short. So try to cover just one main idea per video so your learners can take it in easily. Also, pay attention to the length of your video content. 
2. Use as many visual aids as necessary. Annotations, captions, and highlights make it easier for students to follow along and remember key points.
3. Be yourself. Show some personality! Relax, smile, and let your tone be conversational. Think of it like having a chat with your students rather than lecturing. 
4. Ask questions. Encourage your students to think as they watch. Simple questions or pauses for reflection turn your passive video into an interactive experience. 

So, if we were to sum up using videos as part of your eLearning content, we could have

Pros

• Video naturally grabs attention and keeps students more engaged compared to text-based content. 
• Video allows you to build rapport with your students. Seeing your face and hearing your voice makes the learning experience feel more personal. 

Cons 

• Producing high-quality videos takes time, especially if you are editing, adding animations, or incorporating other elements.

Presentations 

Presentations are a total win for your eLearning content. They are easy to digest and let you show your points with visuals, which we know makes things stick better.  

“If you know your audience is used to visual content, you will not sell them a podcast.”

Mariana Pena

Instructional Designer

What makes them so great? Well, you can mix up text, images, and charts all in one place. That keeps things visually interesting, and it is easier for your learners to absorb the information. You can also go back to them whenever they need a refresher so they stay relevant throughout the course.

But you also do not want to make long and boring presentations for your online course. Here is what you can consider.

• Keep your text minimal. For example, instead of writing a whole definition of “SEO,” just put a short, punchy phrase like “SEO = getting your content found online.” You will explain the rest in your voice.
• Tell a story. Presentations don’t have to feel like lectures. Make them flow like a story, with a beginning, middle, and end.
• Use visuals for help, not for distraction. If you feel like a meme can explain your concept, go for it. Just make sure it is relevant, not random.

And your topic allows you to make electronic presentations where you just have some visual examples on the slides rather than long text explanations, then go for it. That makes it more practical. 

For example, in one of his courses, Justin Welsh shows the relations between his content on different platforms. His presentation slides include his content screenshots, minimal text, and the visuals that help to communicate correlations. 

In short, here is why you should use and do NOT use presentations when planning your eLearning content.

Pros

• Presentations force you to organize your content in bite-sized chunks, which helps keep things digestible.
• Learners can go back to slides whenever they need to review key points or refresh their memory.

Cons 

• You need to back them up with other content to cover everything in detail.

Quizzes and assessment 

Quizzes are key when it comes to eLearning. They are a great way to keep learners engaged and make sure they are actually absorbing the material. Plus, they give you a quick snapshot of how well your students are doing.

So, instead of passively consuming information, students have to apply what they have learned. It encourages active participation, and we all love a good quiz. 

“My quizzes are there to reiterate the information that was presented. So, I include five different questions and really focus on the key points that I want people to be able to take away. So it's really a repetition of information”. 

Helen V. Hicks

Parenting Coach, Course creator 

If you are looking to make your eLearning quiz engaging, here a few details to consider:

• Before thinking about any questions, think about the core ideas you want your students to remember. 
• Use a mix of different quiz questions. For example, multiple choice, true or false, short answers, etc. 
• Do not create long assessments, especially between modules. No one wants to sit through a 50-question quiz. Stick to 5-10 questions that are quick but effective. 

As for how often you should run quizzes or what type of quizzes you can incorporate as part of your content, it depends on your subject. For example, Angle Rodriguez includes quick check-ins after every part. He offers Unarmed Security Guard training courses. In this case, the students can quickly assess their understanding with a quiz before moving to the next part. 

Pros 

• You can use quizzes to see where students are struggling so you can adjust your eLearning content. 
• Quizzes make learners actively recall information, which is a great way to reinforce learning.

Cons 

• If your course subject is more creative and hands on, it is hard to come up with a quiz that is effective. 

Related: How to Make Online Quizzes Effective and Engaging for Students 

Podcasts 

Podcasts are just easy listening. No visuals, no fancy slides. Just you and your voice (plus a little editing if you feel like it). They give learners a break from screen time, and that alone is a win. And because they are so flexible, students can catch up on lessons anytime. 

“From an instructional designer perspective, I have to say that we always need as much input as we can create. So the video content is great, but also podcasts are also good. I recommend just extracting that audio and put it in the private podcast. And now, we're going to create intimacy because the video creates trust. And the private podcast creates intimacy.”

Mariana Pena

Instructional Designer

If you know your audience prefers audio materials over any type of eLearning content, podcasts are a great resource to consider. 

• Just make sure you do not make it like a stuffy lecture. Keep the tone light and friendly, like you would talk to your students in person. 
• Since audio is now your main material, you have to make sure it is of good quality. 
• Depending on where in the curriculum your podcast stands, you also want to keep it at a reasonable length. For example, if you do not rely on too much audio material and your course is mainly visual, try to keep your podcast under 20 minutes. 

And if you can bring in other industry experts and creators to join you as a guest, that will make your course content truly unique. 

Besides making podcast as part of your course content, you can also use it to build audience and promote your courses. For example, in her “The Marie Forleo Podcast”, Marie talks about productivity, personal growth, motivation, etc. These are the skills and qualities that her course students strive for. So, in her courses she talks about business growth, productivity, fulfillment as well. 

Pros 

Students can listen anywhere and interact with your eLearning content more frequently. Besides, hearing your voice helps build rapport. Learners feel like they are getting to know you, making your course feel more personal and relatable.

Cons  

It is mostly a one-way street. So, podcasts do not give room for immediate feedback or engagement.

Ebooks 

eBooks are ideal when your course covers complex topics that learners may want to review multiple times. Say you are teaching a course on digital marketing strategies. An eBook can break down each strategy, step-by-step, with examples and case studies. This way, your students get all the background info they need in one place, and they can keep it as a reference long after the course is over. 

So, if you have research-heavy content, you cna use your eBook as an additional learning resource not to overwhelm the learners in a single session.

In most cases, video courses are created based on the eBook itself. For example, Helen Hicks, a parenting coach and therapist, filmed her course based on the book. She believes her audience learns parenting best through hands-on experience. 

“I have my book, The Parenting Treatment Plan. When I talked to people and got feedback from them, they loved the book. Yet, it was a long one. And they asked me to simplify it a little bit. And that kind of led me to create my parenting course”. 

Helen V. Hicks

Parenting Coach, Course creator 

Yet, you can also view your eBook as a companion to your course. For example, if you are running a fitness course, your eBook could include workout plans, meal preparation guides, and nutrition tips.

Pros

• With text, images, and even clickable links, eBooks are a great resource for learners who like to read and take their time with content.
• Students can download them, save them, and access them anytime. This is great for courses with lots of reference material.

Cons 

•  Not every learner loves reading. So eBooks feel like a drag for those who prefer interactive or audio-visual content. 

Related: A Complete Guide to Writing Your First Ebook

Blog articles 

Blog articles are snack-sized learning bites. They are to the point and super easy for learners to skim through and revisit when needed. Blogs are perfect for providing fresh perspectives, sharing industry trends, or sharing quick tips that do not need a full video or module. Just like this blog article, you are reading. 

Plus, they can make your eLearning course feel current. Especially if you update articles or add new ones as your course evolves.

So, your blogs can be a bonus content and include link to all the other relevant eLearning materials you have. 

Pros 

• If there are new trends or insights in your field, you can add or update blog articles quickly.
• You gain better visibility on search engines and foster awareness for your eLearning course. 

Cons 

• Blogs are a relatively passive way to connect with your audience. And if you are after making your courses engaging, too many blog materials are not an option for you. 

Related: How To Create a Blog For Promoting an Online Course Business

Webinars 

Webinars allow you to interact with learners directly. They give a “live” feel to your course, where you are not just a video on a screen but a real person they can connect with in real time. This sense of presence builds trust and makes your teaching more relatable, which goes a long way in keeping students engaged.

As part of your eLearning content, webinars bring in that sense of community. And your learners feel as part of a group with the same goals.

Pros

• You get a live connection with learners, where they can ask questions and receive instant feedback. 
• You can adapt your content on the spot to suit the learners’ needs.

Cons 

• Live webinars require your learners to show up at a specific time. 

Related: 10 Proven Steps To Create And Host Engaging Free Webinars

Discussion forums 

Forums foster a sense of community within your course. They’re a space where learners can ask questions, offer tips, and work through tough concepts together. In fact, studies have shown that learning communities help students feel more motivated and engaged, which can lead to higher course completion rates.

The great thing is that students are also able to learn from other participants in your program. 

The only thing you need to do to bring in engagement with discussion forums is start with an online course platform giving you an opportunity to create discussions. So that you cna create your communities within your own platform. 

For example, within Uteach, you can create free and paid communities. Your communities and discussions can be around a specific course you have. So that everything you share relates to the participants of your specific course. 

Pros

• Forums create a space for students to connect, discuss, and support each other.
• Learners can take the time to reflect, post thoughtful questions, and read through different perspectives.

Cons 

• To keep forums useful and respectful, you will need to check in regularly, moderate discussions, and ensure the conversations stay on track.

Templates 

Templates make learning feel practical and hands-on. They give learners a structure they can follow, which reduces overwhelm and makes it easier to apply what they have learned. Especially if you are teaching a skill-based course, you can share templates to help your students achieve quick wins.

So, if your topic allows, go ahead and create checklists, planning sheets, worksheets, cheat sheets, etc. 

Pros 

• Having a pre-made structure can give students confidence to move forward.
• Templates ensure students follow a structured approach. 

Cons 

• Templates are not one-size-fit-all. So, you need to create something your learners can resonate with. Yet, what works for one, cannot work for another. 

Do’s and Don’ts for building eLearning content 

Depending on your course topic and format you may choose to include various type of content as part of your eLearning materials. Yet, when it comes to developing and building the content, there are a few best practices to consider no matter your format.

Do 

• Keep to the learning objectives 

Your learning objectives are the destination, and everything in your course should drive toward those. Stick to them so your learners always know why they are doing what they are doing. And most of the types, it is the learning objectives that help you decide on the type of eLearning content. 

• Keep content concise 

Only give your learners what they need, then move on. The is not really a rule of thumb when it comes to your course length. Yet, it is clear that no one would want to have a heavy 200 page ebook, or a 1 hour lesson within a course. 

• Use examples 

If you want to make your content engaging, examples are what you need to create the aha moments. So, you can bring in your personal stories, or examples from past students to introduce the concepts better. 

• Gather feedback from learners 

Send out surveys, ask for feedback after each module, or just have casual chats with your learners. That way, you will know if they’re enjoying the ride and if they need more salt or less sugar. 

“Above all, we have to create points of feedback because that's the most important part. If we don't have a way of giving them feedback,  actual transformation is not really there. And we know this from many, many years of research in education.” 

Mariana Pena

Instructional Designer

Don’t 

❌Use multiple terms for the same word 

Tha last thing you want to do is confuse your students. So, if you are using a certain terms to describe concepts, stick to the same term. Otherwise you will end up creating a mess in your learners’ heads. 

❌Rely only on one format 

Your course isl all about experience, and not just your eLearning content. And if your goal is to provide the student experience, make sure you have several of the formats we covered above. That way you will make sure your content does not appear as a boring piece of information.         

❌Neglect assessment 

Another thing you do as an instructor besides just delivering the content is constantly checking in with your learners. Quizzes or simple tasks can help your students stay on track and boost their confidence. In the meantime, you will be able to understand if the course served its purpose. 

❌Neglect your branding 

What makes your eLearning course unique is not really the actual content. It is how you present and deliver it. So, make sure your course feels like you. Your learners will connect with your course way more if it has that personal touch.

How can Uteach help 

eLearning content comes in many forms, each with its own strengths. Videos are great for engaging learners and making complex ideas easier to understand. Presentations help break down information visually, while quizzes and assessments keep learners on track and reinforce key concepts. When you mix these formats, you create a dynamic learning experience that addresses different learning styles and keeps your course engaging.

 And if you are looking for a platform where you can create and sel courses in different formats, consider Uteach. With Uteach, you have the flexibility to add multimedia to your courses, create advanced quizzes, run live sessions, or just offer pre-recorded courses. Learn more about Uteach features and start with your free trial today.