E-learning is based on successful communication so it is a good idea to try and spice up your online conversations. Injecting feeling and a personal touch to e-learning is a must. Therefore, it is important to stay up to date on the appropriate us of emojis and infographics.
Do you need emojis and infographics in your online course?
Spoiler alert: Yes, you do.
Since you are dealing with digital knowledge, it’s good to compensate for the lack of personal presence. One way to add a personal touch to your online communication is by using emojis.
In e-learning courses, you can use emojis for assessments, feedback pop-ups, and when learners interact with each other, or with the online teacher. Emojis are a useful tool when you want to say more with fewer words.
In general, the brain processes visuals and graphics more easily than plain text, especially in an online environment.
Here are some reasons to use emojis in e-learning
- They improve communication. Use them when you want to express something more . or when you want to feel closer to your students. Emojis can also be an excellent icebreaker.
- They suit non-native speakers, too. When delivering online knowledge, you should be aware of the multilingual environment in the virtual classroom. Therefore, it is a good idea to convey your messages in different ways. One of these is by using emojis and infographics.
- They can be used to personalize feedback. Providing feedback is crucial for every e-learning experience. So, as an online teacher, make sure you make your feedback personalized. Emojis will help you soften the critics. Moreover, they will help you deliver your message in a positive way.
Some historical context
Before emojis, there were emoticons, which were facial expressions created with punctuation marks. The first emoticons date back to 1881. They first appeared in Puck magazine as a sequence of four faces representing joy, melancholy, indifference, and astonishment. Back then emoticons were called typographical art.
In 1998 the first emojis were created. Their “father” was the Japanese engineer Shigetaka Kurita. The design of emojis is based on the popular manga style. Their name is a combination of the Japanese words for picture (e) and character (moji).
Emojis add emotional context to messages. Currently, there are over 1800 emojis. They are the new Millennial language so it is important that you know and use them.
Tips to effectively use emojis
Emojis add clever visual cues. However, it is important that they are used to provide additional information to online students and that they are used clearly so as to not confuse the audience.
There are several ways to incorporate emojis into your online course. One way is to use your keyboard shortcuts. For example, try [Windows Key + .]. This shortcut will open a small window with the most popular emojis. Or you can incorporate them via a browser extension. You can also check Emojipedia. Whichever method you choose, remember that they will also appear differently on different devices.
The three main types of emojis – positive, negative, and indifferent – will add a different perspective to your communication.
Use them to:
- Add contrast in a text
- Make a title memorable
- Create a clue for a new piece of information
- Underline certain points
- Change the bullet formatting
- Summarize and recap
A brief guide to infographics
Infographics are a great way to deliver a message. It’s not an exaggeration to say that they are accepted by everyone. They help learners remember information. For example, while 90% of visual information is transmitted to and remembered by the brain, 20% of text is remembered.
Infographics are especially useful when you want to present a large number of facts or information. Their structure helps the brain focus on the main point of the message. Consider the option of using certain colors that correspond to the content.
There are two approaches to using infographics. The first views infographics as content of its own, while the second views them as playing a supportive function – as a break from a large block of text or a summary of detailed information.
So create infographics mainly when you want to:
- Explain a process
- Show a sequence
- Present a timeline
- Make a comparison
- Explain categories
- Create a list
- Summarize
- Explain concepts
Although infographics are hard to prepare, they are worth the time and research. Studies show that users learn a text better when it is combined with a visual.
So mind your content, know your audience, and explore different ways to attract your students’ attention.
Source:
https://visual.ly/community/infographic/social-media/infographics-why-you-need-them
