Avoid These Common Mistakes in Your eLearning Courses
Building an engaging and effective eLearning program isn’t about adding more flash or copying what others are doing. It’s about designing a thoughtful, functional learning experience tailored to your users. If you’re shifting traditional training models to online formats, especially using Moodle™ software or similar platforms, there are certain potholes that can slow you down—or worse, derail your entire project.
We’ve worked with organisations across education, government, and corporate sectors who all fall into the same traps when implementing eLearning for the first time. Here’s the truth: these common mistakes are easy to make and even easier to avoid—once you know what to look out for.
Skipping LMS Research? Big Risk
Your Learning Management System (LMS) is the backbone of your digital training delivery. It structures your content, tracks learner progress, and supports interactivity. If you’re using the Moodle™ software, you’re already ahead—but even within the Moodle™ project ecosystem, there are key decisions to make.
Here’s what to avoid:
- Over-committing to an LMS with limited customisation options
- Forgetting to test for mobile responsiveness
- Not considering integrations like BigBlueButton™ (for live sessions) or Mahara™ (for portfolio building)
Tip: Schedule multiple demos before you choose an LMS or authoring tool. Get your team involved early on—even your least techie trainer might flag a usability issue you wouldn’t notice.
The Wrong Graphics Can Hurt More Than Help
Visual content should clarify, not confuse or clutter. We’ve seen it all—grainy stock photos from 2009, uncompressed files that tank page load time, and icons so mismatched you’d think they were part of a children’s cartoon.
Do this instead:
- Compress images before uploading (tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh are free and easy)
- Use design standards—matching font styles, consistent layouts, mobile-friendly alignment
- Apply alt text for accessibility and SEO benefits
Knowing Your Audience Isn’t Optional
Here’s the tricky part—so many eLearning courses are designed around what the trainer thinks is important instead of what the learner actually needs. If your audience zones out in the first few minutes, that’s feedback you can’t afford to ignore.
Ask yourself:
- What are your learners’ time constraints?
- Are they digital natives or new to online learning?
- Do they require translations or accessibility features?
Tailor the experience. Talk to HR, review survey data, or schedule a few learner interviews. That upfront effort will transform your course from generic to genuinely helpful.
Poor Content Quality? Your Learners Notice
Let’s be blunt: badly written, typo-ridden content makes your entire course—no matter how well-designed—look unprofessional. Good eLearning begins with clear, conversational language and ends with trustworthy, accurate information.
Audit your course using this checklist:
- Are there typos or formatting issues?
- Does the tone suit your audience?
- Are learning outcomes clear and measurable?
You can use Hemingway Editor or Grammarly to polish drafts, but nothing replaces a thorough peer review or test-run with real users.
Generic Course Layouts Will Tank Engagement
If every module looks and feels the same, learners switch to autopilot. Worse, they disengage completely. Keep things dynamic with variety.
Here’s how:
- Alternate between video, quizzes, drag-and-drop exercises, and real-world scenarios
- Use badge-based progress markers to tap into learner motivation
- Change slide formats slightly, shift layout orientations, or add subtle animations—sparingly
You might not expect this, but even a two-pixel shift in padding or font size can subconsciously register as ‘new’ and re-engage attention.
Ignoring Learner Feedback Slows Growth
Courses should never be ‘set and forget.’ Regular feedback loops are essential. If you’re not capturing learner insights post-training, you’re missing data gold.
Some questions to include in post-course surveys:
- What did you enjoy most?
- What was confusing or difficult?
- How could the course better support your goals?
Pro tip: Use built-in Moodle™ software feedback tools and schedule quarterly course evaluations. Track completion rates, stats, and engagement.
Overcomplicated Assessments Kill Confidence
We get the appeal of “tough tests,” but too often, learners walk away frustrated or demoralised. Your activity design should stretch learners just enough to challenge them—without driving them to tears or tech support.
Follow these rules:
- Balance repetition-driven quizzes with mastery-based tasks
- Align all questions directly to learning outcomes
- Use built-in Moodle™ software grading capabilities to offer instant feedback
If you’re unsure how hard is too hard, look up Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development—it’ll give you clarity on balancing support and challenge.
Underutilising Moodle™ Features
Many clients use Moodle™ software for the basics—hosting content, tracking grades—but miss out on its collaborative, interactive tools. This isn’t just a video library. It’s a digital learning ecosystem.
Maximise its potential:
- Set up forums for peer support and discussion
- Implement role-based permissions for trainers, admins, and learners
- Try tools like glossary databases, chat rooms, certificates, or gamified progression
What This All Comes Down To…
Building a powerful eLearning program means paying attention to the details—platform setup, learner needs, content strategy, and UX design. None of it has to be overwhelming, especially with the right support team.
At Pukunui Sdn Bhd, we support educators, institutions, and businesses in creating Moodle™ software-based training that actually works. Whether you need expert LMS hosting, consulting, or blended learning setup with BigBlueButton™ and Mahara™ integrations—we’re here to help.
Ready to design eLearning that people love logging into? Get in touch.
FAQs About Avoiding eLearning Mistakes
What are the most common mistakes in eLearning program design?
Not knowing your audience, poor content quality, skipping platform research, overusing visuals, and creating generic, repetitive content layouts are some of the most frequent issues we encounter.
How do I choose the right LMS for my team or organisation?
Start by listing key features you need (e.g. mobile access, reporting tools, interactivity). Ask for a demo of the Moodle™ software if you’re considering open-source, and consider factors like user support and third-party integrations (like BigBlueButton™ or Mahara™).
Should I use multimedia in my eLearning course?
Absolutely—but use it wisely. High-quality graphics, video and audio can enhance content retention when aligned with the core message. Avoid using large or irrelevant visuals that slow down load times or confuse learners.
How do I assess the effectiveness of my eLearning program?
Track learner completion rates, performance on assessments, direct feedback, and overall engagement. The Moodle™ software offers built-in tools and plugins to help you establish useful performance metrics.
How can I prevent content overload in my course?
Stick to your learning objectives. Divide content into small, digestible modules, and use bullet points, visual aids, and summaries to keep things clear and concise. Less is often more, especially in mobile-first settings.
