Types of interactivity

There are many ways to bring interaction into your eLearning. Each type plays a different role—for example, helping learners stay engaged and actually learn something—whether it’s understanding new information, practicing a skill, or remembering what they’ve seen.

Here are four easy-to-understand types of interactivity:

It activates learning

Interactive eLearning makes learners do something with the content. Instead of just reading or watching, they make choices, apply knowledge, and reflect. This active learning approach helps them connect new insights to what they already know—which leads to better understanding and long-term retention.

You don’t remember a safety rule just because you read it—you remember it because you had to apply it in a scenario.

It reduces overload

According to learning psychology, our working memory can only process a limited amount of information at once. Interactive eLearning helps manage that by:

1. Breaking content into smaller, digestible parts
2. Letting learners control the pace
3. Providing short pauses and exercises to process the information

This reduces mental overload and makes learning more efficient.

It enhances memory and attention

Quizzes and questions aren’t just there to test knowledge—they help build it. This is known as the testing effect: every time a learner retrieves information from memory (for example by answering a question), that memory trace becomes stronger.

Furthermore, interactive moments break the monotony and reset attention. A well-timed question can bring a wandering mind back to the content. Learners stay alert because they expect to do something, not just sit back and consume.

It makes learning practical and realistic

Interactivity brings training closer to real life. For example, through simulations, branching scenarios, or case-based exercises, learners face realistic decisions in a safe environment.

This helps them:

• Practice job-relevant skills
• Understand the consequences of actions
• Build confidence before applying skills on the job

The result? Better performance when it counts.

It allows for personalized learning paths

Every learner is different. Interactive eLearning allows people to choose their route through the content, skip what they already know, or dive deeper where needed.

In addition, this sense of autonomy increases motivation and efficiency—people feel in control and can focus on what matters most to them.

It’s more engaging—and yes, more fun

Let’s not underestimate the power of fun.

A course that asks you to make choices, solve problems, or beat a challenge is simply more enjoyable than one that only delivers information. And when something feels engaging, learners are more motivated to complete it—and more likely to return to it when needed.

Interactivity adds energy to the learning process. That boost in motivation directly impacts how much people remember and apply.

The bottom line?

Interactive eLearning doesn’t just look better—it works better. It turns training into something:

• Active
• Memorable
• Practical
• Personalized
• And motivating

If your goal is not just to inform but to truly change behavior, then interactivity is your best ally.

Misalignment in action

Take this example: You’re building a course about how to report phishing emails.

• The goal is clear: learners should recognize suspicious emails and report them correctly.
• The content includes real examples of phishing attempts, warning signs, and reporting procedures.
• But the course ends with... a simple multiple-choice quiz asking learners to define “phishing” and list signs of fraud.

What’s the issue? The goal and content are solid—but the didactic method doesn’t match. It tests definitions, not real-life decisions.

A better approach?

Show an actual email and ask: “Would you open this attachment? Would you report it? Why or why not?”

Even better:

Create a short simulation where learners must identify red flags and choose how to respond. That’s the kind of interaction that mirrors the task and helps them apply what they’ve learned.

Not everything needs to be a test

But does meaningful interaction always have to be an exercise or decision moment? Not at all.

Interaction can also help learners process complex information in a structured way—and that’s just as valuable.

Let’s say you’re teaching a multi-step process—like onboarding a new employee or troubleshooting a technical issue. You could present all the steps as a long block of text...Alternatively, you could break them down into clickable parts, each revealing more detail.

This approach:

• Reduces cognitive load
• Provides a clear structure
• Supports how people naturally learn: by seeing the big picture first, then zooming in on the details

So yes, interaction can simply mean:

“Click each step to explore what it means.”

Indeed, that absolutely contributes to the learning goal—because understanding is the foundation for applying.

So, how do you know if your interaction is meaningful?

Ask yourself:

• Will this interaction help the learner think differently?
• Will it help them apply or better understand something?
• Is it adding clarity—or just adding clicks?

Only when the answer is yes, you are truly aligning goal, content, and method. That’s when interactivity starts to work for the learner—not just in the course.

1. FLOWSPARKS

FLOWSPARKS is designed for organizations that want to create interactive eLearning at scale—without needing advanced design or technical skills. Its library of didactic templates is built to support different types of interactivity, like scenario-based learning, guided exploration, and decision-making exercises. Each format is grounded in learning science, helping creators focus on meaningful engagement rather than just presentation. With AI-assisted content generation, real-time LMS updates, and multilingual capabilities, FLOWSPARKS enables teams to build and distribute interactive training quickly and efficiently.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Steeper learning curve – you need to build a full course to learn how to use it
• Limited template flexibility due to built-in instructional design
• Better suited for large organizations than smaller ones

2. Articulate Storyline

Articulate Storyline is a powerful desktop authoring tool built for creating highly interactive eLearning experiences. From complex branching scenarios to custom drag-and-drop interactions, it gives instructional designers full creative control. Its robust feature set supports nuanced simulations and decision-making exercises. However, this flexibility comes at the cost of a steep learning curve and slower content development.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Steep learning curve, especially for beginners
• Time-intensive to maintain or update content
• Not optimized for quick iterations or non-specialists

3. Adobe Captivate

Adobe Captivate is a feature-rich authoring tool designed for developers who want detailed control over interactive eLearning content. It supports everything from click-through simulations and branching scenarios to immersive VR modules, making it a strong choice for complex interactivity. However, its steep learning curve and complex interface can make it challenging to use—especially for teams without technical expertise or those managing content at scale.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Steep learning curve and cluttered UI
• High maintenance burden for updates
• Inefficient for multilingual content workflows

4. iSpring Suite

iSpring Suite is an online education software solution that transforms PowerPoint slides into basic interactive eLearning content. With built-in options for quizzes, dialogue simulations, and simple navigation, it’s a practical entry point for beginners. However, the tool’s reliance on PowerPoint means interactivity is limited—making it more suitable for straightforward content than for advanced or dynamic training modules.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Constrained by PowerPoint’s design limits
• Limited flexibility for advanced interactions
• Not built for complex learning journeys or branching

5. H5P

H5P is a free, open-source tool designed for creating bite-sized interactive elements like quizzes, flashcards, and interactive videos. It shines when embedded into LMS platforms like Moodle or WordPress, enabling quick bursts of learner interaction. However, it lacks the depth and structure of a full-fledged authoring tool—making it better for supplementing courses than building them from scratch.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for building complete eLearning courses
• No version control or learner progress tracking
• Multilingual support must be managed manually

6. Elucidat

Elucidat is a cloud-based authoring tool geared toward large enterprises that need to produce consistent, branded learning content at scale. It supports basic interactivity—like quizzes, branching, and video overlays—but places more emphasis on centralized brand control and collaboration than on creative instructional design. Without strong built-in guidance, less experienced authors might struggle to use it for truly engaging, interactive learning.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Limited creative freedom for custom interactivity
• Less intuitive for non-instructional designers
• Requires more manual effort for updates and translations

7. Gomo Learning

Gomo is a cloud-based authoring tool focused on responsive design and team collaboration. It allows for quick creation of mobile-friendly eLearning with standard interactivity—clickable images, quizzes, and video embedding. While great for scalability and translation, it lacks the flexibility needed for more immersive or deeply interactive experiences.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Limited interaction complexity—better suited for simple learning paths
• Fewer options for rich customization or gamified elements
• Basic localization workflow without advanced translation tools

8. Adapt Learning

Adapt Learning is an open-source authoring tool designed for creating responsive eLearning content using the Adapt Framework.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Requires technical expertise to set up and customize.
• Limited out-of-the-box features; additional plugins may be needed.
• Steeper learning curve for non-developers.

9. Easygenerator

Easygenerator is a user-friendly authoring tool built for speed and simplicity. Designed with subject matter experts in mind, it allows for rapid content creation with basic interactivity—such as quizzes, drag-and-drop, and simple branching. While great for quick internal rollouts, its interactive capabilities are limited, making it less suited for more advanced learning experiences.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Basic interactivity with minimal variation
• Limited customization and design flexibility
• Not scalable for complex or multilingual training programs

SMARTVIDEO – Turn watching into doing

With SMARTVIDEO, learners don’t just watch—they interact. You can add questions, clickable hotspots, or extra info right inside the video. This keeps learners engaged and thinking while they watch, making even passive content like webinars or tutorials feel active. A powerful way to combine visual learning with real-time reflection.

THEBIGGERPICTURE – Interactive learning from multiple angles

This format invites learners to explore a topic through interactive testimonials, clickable data points, and a personal self-scan with feedback. They don’t just read about the why, what, and how—they actively reflect, compare perspectives, and assess their own attitude. It’s ideal for awareness-building and mindset change.

TASKSTEPS – Learn by doing, step by step

TASKSTEPS transforms a process into an interactive learning flow: watch how it’s done, try it yourself, get feedback, and download a quick guide. Learners actively practice each step in a safe, simulated environment—ideal for software training or procedural tasks. With built-in tips and retries, it’s all about learning through doing.

STORYWISE – Learn through stories and real-life dilemmas

STORYWISE puts learners in realistic situations where they must make choices and reflect on their actions. With each dilemma, they receive feedback and insights that build up into a complete picture. The context-driven story keeps it relevant, and the “right–better–best” feedback model ensures every choice becomes a learning moment. It’s interaction with meaning—grounded in real practice.

DECIDENOW – Fast decisions, lasting insights

DECIDENOW challenges learners to make quick decisions in a realistic case, often under time pressure. With each dilemma, they can consult different ‘helplines’—each offering a unique perspective. This adds reflection and strategy to the experience: who do you listen to, and why? At the end, learners get personal feedback that reveals patterns in their thinking and decision-making. Interactivity meets self-awareness.

SMART360 – Explore and interact in a virtual environment

With SMART360, learners navigate a realistic 360° setting—like a workspace, factory floor, or restricted area. Along the way, they click on hotspots for extra info or answer questions to test their understanding. It’s a powerful way to combine orientation with interaction, especially for onboarding or safety training. Even places they can’t visit in real life become part of the learning experience.

REMINDREFLECTREWIND – Learn from critical moments in real time

This format turns a short video into an interactive reflection exercise. At key moments, the story pauses to ask learners what they know (Remind) or how they would respond (Reflect). Each answer triggers immediate feedback, followed by a rewind that highlights the most important learning points. It’s ideal for raising awareness around how people think and act in everyday situations.

ACTIONPLEASE – Know when to act (and when not to)

ACTIONPLEASE trains learners to recognize critical moments in real-life scenarios. While watching a video, they must decide when to intervene—and just as importantly, when not to. Each action triggers tailored feedback and follow-up questions to deepen insight. It’s a highly interactive way to build awareness and sharpen judgement in complex or high-stakes situations.

SMARTGAME – Choose your path, shape the outcome

SMARTGAME lets learners navigate a video-based scenario by making choices after each scene. Every decision influences what happens next, making the experience feel personal and real. It’s perfect for training communication, sales, or leadership situations where behavior matters. Learners actively explore consequences in a safe, engaging way.

FLASHCARDS – Drill knowledge through repetition and challenge

FLASHCARDS helps learners master factual knowledge by answering short multiple-choice questions—repeated until they truly stick. Immediate feedback strengthens memory, while optional rankings add a playful, competitive edge. It’s ideal for quick recall training on terminology, procedures, or regulations. Simple, focused, and surprisingly addictive.

ONTHESPOT – Make the call, again and again

Learners assess a series of realistic situations shown through text and images—each followed by the same key question. With every answer, they get instant feedback and build confidence through repetition. It’s highly interactive and ideal for safety, ethics, or compliance training. Perfect for reinforcing consistent decision-making in everyday practice.

QUICKSCAN – Reflect, rate, and gain insight

QUICKSCAN invites learners to rate statements about their behaviour or mindset on a value scale. After completing all items, they receive a clear, interactive overview of how they score per category. It’s a simple yet effective way to spark self-awareness and start meaningful reflection. Perfect as a starting point for attitude-based learning.

SMARTWORKBOOK – Turn interaction into a personal workbook

SMARTWORKBOOK lets learners answer questions and fill in exercises throughout a training—capturing their input in a structured, downloadable workbook. It combines personal reflections with default content to create a tailored end result. Ideal for portfolios, workshop prep, or turning learning into action plans. Every interaction contributes to a final product learners truly own.

1. Start with a question

Don’t open with a wall of text. Start with a dilemma, a “What would you do?” situation, or a quiz. This creates curiosity and gives your learners a reason to pay attention.

For example: “You just discovered a safety risk on the production floor. What’s your first step?”

2. Use micro-interactions

Big simulations are great, but don’t underestimate the small stuff. Quick knowledge checks, true-or-false statements, sliders, clickable images—they keep learners mentally active and break the scroll.

3. Replace passive with active

Got a video? Add interactive checkpoints. Got a block of text? Turn it into a decision tree. Got an FAQ? Make it a chatbot. Wherever you can, shift from “read this” to “try this”.

4. Align every interaction with your learning objective

Before adding anything, ask: What does this help the learner do? If the answer is “nothing really,” skip it. Interaction should always serve the goal—not the other way around.

5. Test with real users

What’s obvious to you might be confusing to your learner. Run your course by a few users before launch. Ask: Did it make you think? Did it feel relevant? Did you know what to do next? Their answers will tell you if your interactivity is working—or just filling space.

⚡What is interactive eLearning?

‍Interactive eLearning is digital training that requires learners to actively engage with the content rather than passively consume it. This includes answering questions, making decisions, reflecting, or exploring material. Unlike static formats like PDFs or videos, interactive eLearning boosts understanding and retention by prompting learners to think, apply, and personalize the information.

⚡Can you give an example of interactive eLearning?

‍Yes! Imagine a video explaining how to use pivot tables in Excel. In a passive version, you just watch the steps. But in an interactive version, you might be asked: “You want to see the average test scores per department. Which data do you need to select to build your pivot table?” This requires you to actively think and apply the knowledge, making it far more effective.

⚡How to create interactive eLearning?

‍Start by aligning your learning goal, content, and interaction. Use a variety of techniques like quizzes, simulations, and decision-based scenarios to activate thinking. Ensure every interaction serves a purpose—helping learners reflect, apply, or reinforce what they've learned. Tools like FLOWSPARKS simplify this with ready-made templates that embed didactic principles, so even non-experts can create engaging and effective training modules quickly.

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