9 eLearning Content Types to Include in Your Training Program

Designing a training course isn’t just about creating materials; it’s about choosing the right formats that make learning stick. Slide-based modules, quizzes, podcasts, dialogue simulations — each type of eLearning content has its strengths and use cases. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through nine proven content types, show you examples of how they work, and share practical tips on when and how to use them. By the end, you’ll know exactly which formats can bring your training program to life.

Quick and Easy eLearning Content Types

These formats are easy to scale and perfect if you’re just starting with an eLearning platform.

1. Slide-based courses

Slide-based courses are the foundation of many online learning programs. They’re flexible, self-paced, and work well with diverse learning styles, from visual learners who prefer diagrams to auditory learners who benefit from narration. Such courses often have a look and feel similar to PowerPoint presentations.

This kind of content might be preferable in several different scenarios. Consider using it if you:

• Already have training materials in PowerPoint, documents, PDFs, or other formats that you can easily repurpose into an online course.
• Need to get some offline training into an online format fast.
• Need to design an effective eLearning course on a new product or service quickly.

Tips on creating slide-based courses

To keep learners engaged, make your slides interactive by adding hotspots, quizzes, or branching scenarios that align with your objectives. With iSpring Suite, you can transform a regular presentation into a dynamic learning module complete with multimedia and assessments. 

Here are a couple of best practices to follow:

• Go beyond plain slides. Add interactions to capture attention and reinforce learning.
• Save development time. With iSpring Suite, you can import existing PowerPoint slides with all transitions and animations intact or build a new course from scratch in minutes.

Here’s a demo of a slide-based course built with iSpring Suite.

How to Create Online eLearning Courses

2. Quizzes

Quizzes, tests, assessments, or knowledge checks — whatever you choose to call them — are an essential component of most eLearning courses. They provide immediate feedback and help participants achieve their learning goals. They’re also a simple way to reinforce learning and encourage critical thinking.

Overall, it’s a fun and interactive way to keep the content dynamic in your training modules. Also, you can provide a natural breakpoint between main topics that will give learners a sense of progress within your course.

How and when you use quizzes will depend on the type of courses you are building and whether they are formal or informal, accredited or not, and a number of other factors. 

• For short, informal courses, consider adding knowledge checks at the end of topics or modules instead of a long final quiz.
• For longer courses, consider a more formal final assessment with feedback and info slides.

With iSpring QuizMaker, you can design engaging assessments using multiple question types, drag-and-drop tasks, or scenario-based challenges that encourage critical thinking.

Tips on eLearning quizzes

• Mix question types to enrich engagement. Use a variety, including drag-and-drop, hotspots, and scenario-based questions, to spark critical thinking and keep learners engaged.  
• Embed feedback with context. Don’t just tell learners their choice is correct or incorrect; explain why. iSpring Suite lets you insert info slides enriched with text, images, or embedded media for meaningful feedback.   
• Create adaptive learning paths. Guide learners differently depending on their answers: send them to review material if needed or forward them to the next challenge if they got it right.
• Make quizzes platform-ready. Your assessments should work smoothly on any device. iSpring QuizMaker exports in HTML5 and integrates seamlessly with LMS platforms, so users get a consistent experience on their computer, tablet, or smartphone.

3. Training videos

Video content is one of the most engaging eLearning formats because it combines visuals, audio, and storytelling. This makes it especially effective for skills training and customer service, where learners benefit from seeing real-life examples in action.

There are several ways you can use video content in your eLearning:

1. Standalone training videos. You can use video as the only type of content. For example, you could record a series of videos on a soft skill, like speaking in meetings or general communication skills.
2. Embedded videos. You can embed videos in your eLearning course. The video could be content that you created yourself or taken from stock resources.
3. Webinar or live training playback. This method simply entails providing recordings of previous live or virtual classroom training sessions and making them available online via an LMS or other platform. This is a great and inexpensive way to incorporate video into your eLearning content. 

There are also several types of video content that are typically used in training and include, but are certainly not limited to:

• Video tutorials. These are the familiar how-to videos and often feature additional on-screen text, call-out boxes, and other elements.
• Presenter screencasts. These feature your screen and the video from your webcam simultaneously.
• Software tutorials. Typically, the video capture tool will automatically detect when you move the cursor, press keys, and click on screen elements and will add visual cues for these actions to the video, like highlighting boxes on data entry fields. 

Together, these formats give you the flexibility to match the video style with your training goals. Whether you need a quick explainer, an in-depth tutorial, or a replay of a live session, video content can make learning more engaging, memorable, and accessible for your audience.

Tips on creating training videos

• Plan with a solid script first. A clear outline or script helps keep your video focused and effective. It also makes collaboration easier if multiple people are involved. 
• Capture clean visuals and clear audio. You can use noise removal tools and editing features to avoid low-quality audio. 
• Add visual cues to guide attention. iSpring Suite’s video editor can automatically highlight clicks, keystrokes, or key areas on the screen, so viewers can follow along without getting lost.  
• Keep videos concise and focused. Aim to convey one main idea per video; around 5 minutes is ideal. This encourages bite-sized learning and supports better retention.

How to Create Employee Training Videos

4. Podcasts

Podcasts are common in many areas of business, and organizations now use them as a convenient tool for learning and development.

They fit perfectly into self-paced learning and are great for non-assessable training — particularly for skills that revolve around mindset, motivation, leadership, and other soft skills. Podcasts can also be useful for presenting longer format use cases and scenarios in the form of stories that would be much too long to present in a dialogue simulation, for instance.

 Tips for integrating podcasts into eLearning

• Align content with learning objectives. Design podcast episodes that relate directly to specific learning goals, ensuring that content is relevant and purposeful. 
• Keep episodes concise and focused. Aim for episodes of between 10 and 15 minutes. This duration is ideal for maintaining learner attention and fits well into daily routines, such as commuting or exercising.
• Provide supplementary materials. Enhance learning by offering additional resources like worksheets, visual summaries, or articles. This supports diverse learning styles and reinforces key concepts.

5. Dialogue simulations

Dialogue simulations immerse learners in an environment where they interact with virtual clients or colleagues. It’s great for customer service training, sales skills, negotiation practice, and improving communication skills in a risk-free environment. 

Good dialogue simulations tend to use branching scenarios, where each decision an employee makes has consequences that affect the outcomes and the next stage of the sim. This format is ideal for keeping learners motivated, especially when combined with avatars, backgrounds, and voice-overs.

Tips for creating effective dialogue simulations

• Use branching thoughtfully. Each decision should have clear, realistic consequences to enhance critical thinking.
• Incorporate multimedia. Avatars, audio, and backgrounds make scenarios more engaging and immersive.
• Align with real-world tasks. Scenarios should reflect actual challenges that employees face on the job.
• Provide feedback. Immediate feedback helps learners understand the impact of their choices and improve performance.

iSpring Suite makes creating dialogue simulations fast and simple, with no coding required. Add backgrounds, characters, and voice-overs to make scenarios realistic. You can upload your own images or use iSpring’s Content Library, which offers a wide range of characters, locations, and assets.

Check out an example of a dialogue simulation built with iSpring below.

How to Improve Your Employees’ Skills with Dialogue Simulations

6. E-books

This less common eLearning format is a quick way to share SOPs (standard operating procedures), step-by-step guides, and manuals while still offering a good reading experience. E-books also adapt to mobile devices, allowing learners to access them anywhere and move through the learning process at their own pace.

If you have underutilized materials in Word or PDF format that aren’t easy to access or consume, turning them into e-books is a perfect solution to support continuous learning and keep learners engaged.

Tips for using e-books in eLearning

• Repurpose existing content. Turn manuals, SOPs, or PDFs into interactive flipbooks instead of creating them from scratch.
• Add interactivity. Include links, hotspots, or embedded quizzes to reinforce learning.
• Optimize for mobile. Ensure that content is readable on smartphones and tablets by leveraging responsive flipbook features.
• Track learner engagement. Use analytics to see who has accessed the content and how much they’ve read.
• Keep it concise. Divide long documents into digestible chapters or sections for better comprehension.

iSpring Suite has a built-in tool that turns your documents into interactive digital flipbooks quickly. You can upload them to an LMS, share them with your learners, and track their progress as they read.

Here’s an example of such a flipbook:

How to Create a Digital Flipbook

Advanced eLearning Content Types

The next set of content types requires more of everything to develop: more skills, more time, more budget, more human capital, and, in many cases, more technology. Nevertheless, these formats are worth the investment because they can deliver a truly transformative learning experience.

These are the types of content you might consider for an especially important cornerstone training program.

7. Interactive videos

Unlike traditional videos, interactive videos promote active participation. Learners can click on, drag, or choose paths that adapt to their decisions. Technology now makes it possible to provide interactions with videos, such as hotspots and quizzes. 

Nike’s “Style It Yourself” interactive video is an example. Guided by renowned Parisian stylist Barbara Malewicz, the film allows users to make real-time fashion choices, selecting outfits and accessories to pair with the sneakers. This immersive experience not only showcases the versatility of the Air Max Dia but also subtly directs viewers to Nike’s online store, facilitating seamless transitions from engagement to purchase.

8. VR and AR simulations

Virtual reality and augmented reality bring learners into a simulated environment that replicates real-world scenarios. VR is great for training both human interactions and practical tasks in real-world physical scenarios. Simulations allow you to replicate real-life scenarios and practice the best way to react in those situations. 

This is a great way to train people who risk their health at work in a safe environment. VR also has many use cases in the medical and health fields — for example, a simulation of blood-borne pathogen cleanup could feature spills and scenarios of exposure that simply could not be replicated in other types of eLearning.

9. Serious games 

You’ve probably heard of gamification in eLearning — features like leaderboards, points, and badges that many learning management systems (LMSs) already include. These tools can boost motivation, but they’re just the beginning. A more advanced option is serious games, designed for a primary purpose beyond pure entertainment, such as teaching skills or knowledge.

Unlike basic gamification, serious games in eLearning are custom-built experiences that look and feel like real console or computer games. They use game-based learning mechanics to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on practice.

This format works especially well for both soft skills training (like communication or teamwork) and technical training (such as simulations or system practice). Because serious games are highly interactive, they keep learners engaged while making the experience fun and memorable.

The possibilities for game-based learning are almost endless and depend on your creativity as an instructional designer. Just remember that adding game elements doesn’t automatically create better learning. The real impact comes from combining smart design with the right use of technology, not simply “throwing in” a game mechanic and hoping that it works.

For example, Carrefour, a French multinational retail and wholesaling corporation, launched a serious game for digital retail training aimed at its 85,000 employees. It helps them master e-commerce challenges and drives the company toward its goal of becoming the leader in digital retail by 2026.

How to Keep Learners Engaged

Creating great eLearning content is only half the job; the real challenge is keeping learners motivated and actively involved throughout the course. Engagement is what turns information into lasting knowledge. Below are some practical strategies you can use to encourage participation, build stronger connections, and make the learning experience more impactful.

Pinpoint knowledge gaps

Before you begin developing your content, consider surveying your target audience to learn more about their backgrounds and experience levels. Having learners take a pre-assessment test can help you identify skills gaps and set specific learning objectives. Knowing this can allow you to supply additional information or resources to specific areas for improvement. 

Plan a strategy

If you’re working with an SME (Subject Matter Expert), you’ll probably come away with a lot more information than you need, so you’ll need to be diligent about planning. To avoid overloading your audience, create a list of significant topics and sub-points, then break them down into 3 categories:

1. What learners must know: Content that is essential to achieve learning objectives.
2. What learners should know: Content that covers key concepts that learners need to know as a core part of the training.
3. What learners could know: Nice-to-know content that is not critical or cornerstone knowledge. 

Encourage critical thinking

To create truly engaging eLearning content, it’s important to help learners go beyond simple memorization. You can do this by:

• Using discussion forums to spark dialogue and idea sharing.
• Incorporating peer-to-peer collaboration to enhance problem-solving skills.
• Applying scenario-based learning to simulate real-world challenges.
• Adding real-world examples to connect theory to practice.
• Strengthening learners’ critical thinking and decision-making abilities.
• Improving knowledge retention and preparing learners to apply concepts in daily work.

Reinforce learning

Learners are more likely to succeed when information is reinforced regularly. Include quizzes and knowledge checks after each module, short microlearning activities to review key points, and immediate feedback so learners can track progress in real time. Reinforcement strategies reduce the “forgetting curve” and improve overall learning outcomes — a critical component of effective instructional design.

Keep learners motivated

Motivation is at the core of learner engagement. Add gamification elements such as points, badges, or leaderboards to make learning more interactive. Use storytelling techniques to make content meaningful and memorable. Encourage social learning through group challenges, discussion boards, or peer recognition programs. These strategies create a sense of progress and community, both of which are proven to increase learner motivation and reduce dropout rates in online training.

Allow learners’ flexibility

Modern learners expect flexibility. By mixing different formats such as video tutorials, infographics, interactive simulations, and text-based resources, you can appeal to different learning styles. Incorporating blended learning (self-paced eLearning combined with live workshops or webinars) offers both structure and autonomy. 

To Sum Up

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to eLearning. The best results come from aligning your course content with the learning objectives, the target audience, and the desired outcomes. Whether you use training videos, podcasts, VR, or dialogue simulations, your goal is always the same: to provide a meaningful learning experience that keeps learners motivated and supports continuous learning.

If you want to design interactive courses with quizzes, videos, and simulations, try iSpring Suite, a comprehensive software that makes creating professional training materials effortless.