5 Proven Techniques to Improve Your Learning Content Strategy

We cannot deny the growing importance of user-centered design and the impact it has on the overall success of a product. However, it is equally important to consider the role of content in the learning experience. A well-executed Learning content strategy can improve the learner’s ability to understand and interact with the product, leading to increased engagement and satisfaction.

What is Content Strategy?

Content strategy, as defined in the current context of digital learning content, is the planning, development, and management of learning products. This involves defining the content scope, determining the appropriate format and delivery method, and creating content that is engaging, relevant, and aligned with the learning objectives. Content strategy for a learning product also incorporates continuous analysis and evaluation to determine its effectiveness and make necessary improvements whenever needed. Ultimately, the goal is to create a cohesive and effective learning experience for the audience.

How Does Bad Content Strategy Impact the Learning Experience?

If the content strategy fails for a learning product, it can have several negative impacts on the learners and business, including:

1. Low engagement and motivation: Poorly designed or irrelevant content can lead to low engagement and motivation among learners, making it difficult for them to stay focused and retain information.

2. Ineffective learning outcomes: Content that does not align with the learning objectives or is not presented in a way that is easy for learners to understand can result in ineffective learning outcomes.

3. Decreased credibility: If the content is inaccurate or poorly presented, it can damage the credibility of the educational product and reduce trust among learners.

4. User frustration: A lack of structure or difficulty in navigating the content can lead to frustration among learners and negatively impact the overall user experience.

5. Decreased adoption and retention: If the Learning content strategy fails, learners may not return to the educational product, reducing its overall adoption and retention.

So, How Can You Improve Your Content Strategy?

While working on the redesign of a public library system, we investigated that most of the consumers complained about not being able to find a particular title in the system. Findability is one of the key aspects of content strategy.

What we found out through our analysis is that the categorization of their digital content including ebooks and audiobooks was poorly maintained. There were too many categories apart from the standard categories. This was causing too much information overload and creating confusion for the consumers. Their search engine was lacking modern-day features like QR code scan, and audio search which was making their system feel outdated.

A well-designed Learning content strategy can improve the user experience, increase engagement and motivation, and result in more effective learning outcomes. Ultimately, it leads to a more successful and valuable educational product. Some steps to be considered as a UX designer for content strategy are:

1. Conduct user research: Gather insights about the target audience, their needs, preferences, and behaviors. This information can inform decisions about what content to include and how to present it. For example, if the target audience consists of visual learners, incorporating images, videos, and interactive elements into the content may be more effective.

2. Collaborate with subject matter experts: Work with subject matter experts to understand the content objectives and ensure the content is accurate and relevant. This partnership can also provide opportunities to identify ways to present the content in a way that is engaging and easy for users to understand.

3. Define content structure and organization: Determine how the content should be structured and organized to support the learning objectives and make it easy for users to access and understand. This may involve creating a content outline or a visual representation of the content hierarchy to ensure that the content is organized in a logical and meaningful way.

4. Consider accessibility: Ensure that the content is accessible & robust for all users, including those with disabilities, by considering factors such as text size, color contrast, and alternative text for images. The content should be easy to operate, including using keyboard-only navigation and avoiding the use of timed responses or flash content.

5. Evaluate and iterate: Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the content and make improvements based on user feedback and data analysis. This may involve making updates to the content structure, adding or removing content, or adjusting the delivery method to better support the learning objectives and meet the needs of the target audience.

In conclusion, content strategy is a critical aspect of designing a successful educational product. A UX designer can play a significant role in shaping the content strategy for an educational product. A failed content strategy can result in low engagement, ineffective learning outcomes, decreased credibility, user frustration, and decreased retention. By conducting user research, collaborating with subject matter experts, defining the content structure and organization, considering accessibility, and regularly evaluating and iterating the content strategy, a UX designer can ensure that the content supports the learning objectives and meets the needs of the target audience.

WRITTEN BY

Aarushi Jain

Aarushi Jain is a UX Strategist at Magic. She collaborates with our partners to understand their end goals and design solutions with improved usability.