It is important to remember that launching a top-notch online course is merely the beginning of a journey to student success. Even though video lectures coupled with exercises and activities provide the main structure of the learning experience, they do not always cover the questions that may arise in the process of studying.
As a rule, students can forget important facts and information from weeks before or need to know things on the go, without having to go through an entire lesson.
At this point, the knowledge hub comes into play.
The term "knowledge hub" is referred to a collection of accumulated knowledge bases containing articles, guidelines, FAQ’s, templates, and other valuable assets. It acts as a supplementary element of the course and provides extra assistance to students at different stages of their journey.
What Is a Knowledge Hub?
A knowledge hub entails the organization of information in a clear way such that educational materials can be searched by students at any time and information is available as needed.
Unlike classical lessons when learners experience moving from one lesson to another in a particular order, knowledge hubs can be used for quick reference purposes. Instead of going through ten lessons in a particular way, learners may look for answers to particular questions at any point.
Several types of documents included in a knowledge hub are the following
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manuals,
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FAQ,
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downloadable templates,
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checklists,
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glossaries,
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troubleshooting guides,
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video materials,
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sources of documentation,
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links to helpful materials.
Thus, one may consider the knowledge hub to be a kind of a library.
Students Forget More Than We Think
One of the greatest difficulties in online education is retention rates.
Even the most educated students may not recall a certain concept from a lesson they listened to. Studies in the area of learning show that people forget information over time unless they regularly study it. This makes finding a solution to this situation necessary.
They may know that they learned something very important, but they may not remember:
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which lesson contains the appropriate information,
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when this lesson was given,
or how exactly the moment worked.
Instead of spending twenty minutes finding the correct video, many students simply give up or ask for assistance. A knowledge hub eliminates this issue by making the information easy to find.
If a person needs the definition, processes, or template once more, it will only take him seconds to find any important piece of information.
A Knowledge Hub Improves the Learning Experience
Today's learners demand convenience in their learning activities. They resort to search engines every day to obtain answers instantly, and they expect the same experience from the educational platform they use. Knowledge hubs provide assistance for every step during the whole learning process. Students learn about prerequisites before a lesson starts. During the course, they clarify the unknown terms while they go through the learning process. When the course is over, they access the hub whenever they are in need of something they studied before. Such constant access turns the course from a one-time educational product into a long-lasting professional tool. Instead of thinking, "I completed this course six months ago," students start thinking, "I know where to find this information."
It Reduces Repetitive Support Requests
It becomes clear to every course developer that there is a pattern.
Students keep asking similar questions.
Some examples of questions are:
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How can I reset my password?
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Where can I access the workbook?
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Which lesson covers this topic?
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What can I do if I have this problem?
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Can I view the recordings later?
Repeat replies to the same questions are time-consuming. A properly structured knowledge center will help students to deal with most of the above questions. Instead of waiting for the answers from the support team, students will be able to find the answers on their own in the knowledge center.
Such approach benefits both parties. Students receive immediate answers. Support specialists do not need to answer repetitive requests.Course developers pay all their attention to the improvement of educational content.
Knowledge Hubs Increase Course Value
Many instructors assume that value is providing more videos and online lessons.
However, students often place greater value on ease of use as opposed to a large amount of learning material, since a course that lasts for 50 hours is remarkable, while a course that lasts to 50 hours along with having a considerable knowledge hub is of much higher value.
The extra resources allow students to apply their knowledge in a better manner.
For example, instead of watching a 60-minute video about email marketing again, students can just read a simple article that includes:
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the best practices,
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some common errors,
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the essential tools,
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specific examples,
and checklists for implementation.
This is time-saving and serves as an effective method of reinforcing the knowledge obtained.
Moreover, knowledge hubs indicate professionalism.
They imply that the creator cares about the whole learning process, not only about the video lessons themselves.
A Knowledge Hub Keeps Courses Relevant
The field of education is rapidly changing.
The software has continuous updates.
The marketing strategies are constantly changing. The regulations in business are different. The best practices of the industry are changing.
We understand that being updated takes time and money. Knowledge hubs offer the alternative that can overcome the above-mentioned challenges. The creators of the courses can publish articles with the information, rather than create videos for all the changes.
New features, updated processes, new policies, tools. The information is always relevant and fresh. It allows the course to be modern and not become outdated quickly.
Better Resources Create Better Student Outcomes
To sum up, a course gets its evaluation based on the following issue:
Did the course meet its goals?
The more beneficial the course is to students when applying knowledge, the better the outcomes. A knowledge hub facilitates application by providing students with the tools which they can use at any time.
The tools in this case would be:
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application guides,
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templates,
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examples,
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worksheets,
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calculators,
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suggestions regarding literature,
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manuals of actions,
checklists for success.
These tools help lessen the uncertainty and motivate students to take action. When students achieve improved results, it benefits everyone.
Students get more satisfaction. The percentage of people who complete the course grows. The testimonials of students are higher.
Common Mistakes Course Creators Make
Very often, course creators do not pay much attention to the fact that students need the support provided after course release. The usual mistakes include:
Only counting on videos
Although the use of videos is effective when it comes to conveying the theory, it will not suit when it comes to looking for a specific piece of information.
Students should not waste their time watching a long video when they are trying to find an answer to the simple question.
Creating unorganized materials
All the templates, worksheets, and important papers have to be sorted properly. If students cannot find a specific document, they may think that the needed one is missing.
Not updating the materials
The world changes.
The neglected knowledge base becomes ineffective. Updating the materials is essential for keeping the course relevant for years.
Ignoring the FAQ section
Every time when a question is repeated, it can be turned into an improvement of the knowledge base. Being aware of common problems simplifies the educational process.
Conclusion
Completing the last module of the online course does not mark the end of the course. The knowledge developed in course is used by students much longer after completing it. This knowledge also needs to be available at any time during the learning process.
The value of the knowledge hub is that it transforms online courses into moderated online ihe course. The knowledge hub contributes into efficient learning by providing quick access to necessary answers and reducing the number of students’ inquiries.
As the competition in online education grows, students expect more than only video lessons.
Resources, assistance in doing the tasks and support are a must for modern students.
Educators, who create a good knowledge hub, enhance the learning experience of their students and further value derived from this education after it is completed.
