When Digital Training Fatigue Sets In
READ TIME - 4 MINUTES
“Alright, team, we’ve all got another online module to complete this week,” announced Imran, glancing around at everyone in the team meeting and on the screen.
Harriet groaned, pulling her scarf tighter. “Is this the one about the new HR system, or the cybersecurity refresher?”
Imran checked his notes. “Both, actually. And there’s a feedback quiz at the end of both as well.”
Harriet exchanged a look with Minh, who whispered, “If I have to watch one more animated explainer video, I’m gonna start talking like a chatbot.”
The group chuckled, but the energy was flat.
Everyone’s eyes glazed over at the thought of more online training, and someone quietly closed yet another Zoom tab.
Let’s be honest, after years of mandatory modules, pop-up quizzes, and endless how-to videos, even the most enthusiastic team members hit a wall.
The novelty’s worn off, the inbox is overflowing, and the “just get it done” mindset has well and truly set in.
It’s been a long winter, no public holidays in sight, and everyone’s hoping for a spark of energy that isn’t coming from another eLearning reminder.
But here’s the thing: digital training is here to stay, especially in a world of rolling tech updates and new systems.
The trick isn’t to churn out the same old stuff, hoping that your stakeholders will love it this time.
It’s time to re-energise your approach so people actually engage (and shock - !! - maybe even learn something along the way).
The “Micro-Moments” Reset
What it is:
A practical way to break up online training into tiny, meaningful bursts, so learning feels less like a marathon and more like a series of quick wins.
Why it works:
People are more likely to engage (and remember) when training fits into their real workday, not the other way around.
Micro-moments create space for learning without overwhelming already stretched teams.
How to do it:
Shrink the sessions (dramatically!). Turn hour-long modules into 5–10 minute “mini lessons” or quick “how-to” videos that staff can watch between meetings or over a cuppa.
Make it social. Encourage folks to pair up team members for “buddy” check-ins, or run a quick lunchtime quiz or bingo session related to the training. A bit of friendly competition or peer learning can make training less lonely and more memorable.
Connect to real work. Tie each micro-moment to a real task: “Watch this 2min video before you log into the system,” or “Try this tip before your next community visit.” Relevance beats repetition every time.
Celebrate completions. Give a shout-out in team meetings or the group chat (or perhaps even the intranet) when people finish a module. Even a virtual high-five can help boost motivation and break the monotony.
Pro tip: Ask your stakeholders what format actually works for them before rolling out the next round of training. A quick pulse check can save everyone hours of wasted effort (and eye rolls).
The Bottom Line
So many people are sick of boring eLearning, but it doesn’t have to be a blocker.
By breaking learning into micro-moments, making it social, and keeping it relevant, you’ll help your team stay engaged.
That’s it for this week.
Next Tuesday, we’ll tackle what to do when your requests for feedback are met with crickets, and how to turn silence into real insights.
Don’t miss it!
See you then,
Team EVER
PS: Someone pass this on to you?
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