There has been a lot of boom in the eLearning industry in recent years especially since its advantages have been realized. There has been a stress on instruction designed on cognitive load which implies the understanding capability of the user.

There have been changes in adult learning styles. This has been due to the different demands of learners. The eLearning companies in the US need to focus on these adult training models to prepare the best output.

One of such models is the AGES model which stands for attention, then generation, then emotion, and then spacing. What do all these terms mean?

• Attention 

It means making sure that the learners keep their attention on the eLearning material.

The aim of such material must be to ensure that the learners can devote attention without any kind of impediment and don’t divert their attention.

The brain functions in a different way. When the learners find the information interesting, there is its transfer from short-term memory to long-term memory for retention.

So, the user should find the information interesting which means that the eLearning materials have to be designed carefully. One way to do that is to present information in small modules. These modules can’t be more than 20 minutes long. A learner loses his attention once the module is more than 20 minutes in length.

The learners also get time to discuss when there are breaks in the eLearning segments. This makes sure that the learners can discuss boosting retention. When you have eLearning segments that are more than 20 minutes in length this can lead to a cognitive burden for the learners.

• Generation 

This is the next phase of the AGES model.

It implies that the delivery or the generation of information should be related to the learners’ experiences. This kind of generation means that the information should be relatable to the learners. It should be tied with their current job roles. This kind of relativity is useful for learners to retain information because they find it useful.

The information should be shown to the learners in different formats such as video. This way, the learners will make sure that the information is tied to what they know now. Hence, they will be able to arrange new information in their minds easily.

• Emotion 

This is the third stage of the AGES model. As per it, there should be excitement in the eLearning module.

The learner can enjoy an activity irrespective of whether it is boring because he is excited. So, the excitement can be built-in learning activities by including elements such as gamification and social conversations. Learning activities should make sure that learners can identify with them emotionally. When emotions are stirred in content delivery, there can be long-term retention.

• Spacing 

It is also important that there is the spacing between the learning sessions. This kind of spacing can make sure that there is a retention of information.  Only 10% of the information that is given in a training session is remembered after 3 months.

Spacing makes sure that the material is taught over time. This way, learners can also revise the information before they are bombarded with something new. When the information is delivered after some gap, it ensures that the learners have built neural pathways in the brain for stored information.

So, it can’t be erased easily when new information is put into the brain. With the revision, such neural pathways strengthen. The learners should revise a material at least thrice before they are introduced to new material. This ensures maximum retention.

So, this is how companies can make sure that their training content is delivered through the AGES model and is remembered the most by employees.