In learning and training, understanding extends far beyond mere memorization of facts. To create training that truly sticks, learners need to make meaningful connections between what they already know and what they are learning. That’s where elaboration comes in.
Elaboration is an evidence-based strategy that helps learners actively process new information by linking it to existing knowledge, explaining it in their own words, and exploring “why” and “how” ideas work. When used effectively, it moves learning from short-term memorization to long-term comprehension. That makes it one of the most powerful tools available to instructional designers and training leaders.
Key takeaways
- Elaboration enhances understanding: It helps learners connect new ideas with what they already know, leading to stronger retention.
- It transforms information into meaning: By prompting learners to explain and expand concepts, elaboration deepens comprehension.
- Applicable to all types of learning: Elaboration strategies work across industries, formats, and audiences — from compliance to leadership training.
- Most effective when combined with retrieval practice: Together, they build a complete cycle of encoding, recall, and application.
- Easy to implement in eLearning: Scenario prompts, reflection questions, and discussions are simple ways to integrate it into existing programs.
What is elaboration
Elaboration is a cognitive learning strategy that involves expanding on new material to give it greater meaning and context. Rather than passively absorbing content, learners interpret, rephrase, and apply it to real situations.
Elaboration “goes beyond memorization” by helping learners integrate new information with what they already know. This process strengthens neural connections, improves recall, and builds a deeper understanding of complex topics.
How elaboration works
At its core, elaboration works because it helps people make sense of new ideas by connecting them to what they already know. It turns learning into a personal process rather than something that just happens to you.
When learners are asked to explain a new concept in their own words or relate it to their everyday work, their brains may build bridges between old and new knowledge. Those mental connections are what make learning stick.
Think about it this way: if someone learns a new leadership framework, they might start recalling moments when they saw those behaviours in action, or times when they wish they had used them. That reflection gives meaning to the content and builds pathways that make recall automatic later on.
As the University of Arizona points out, elaboration helps learners “go deeper into the meaning of information.” It’s not about remembering slides or bullet points – it’s about seeing how ideas fit into your own world. When learning feels personally relevant, it becomes memorable.
Why elaboration improves learning
Elaboration strengthens learning because it requires learners to think about thinking.
Each connection formed adds new pathways in the brain, creating more cues for memory retrieval. When learners explain a concept in their own words or apply it to a scenario, they reinforce their understanding through active recall.
In fact, research summarized by the University of Kansas shows that elaboration enhances both comprehension and transfer of knowledge – the ability to use what you’ve learned in new situations. For adult learners, this means training is not just remembered but applied in real-world contexts, which directly impacts performance and retention.
Benefits of elaboration in learning
Elaboration brings learning to life. Instead of simply taking a course, learners start thinking, connecting, and even challenging ideas. It transforms information into understanding and helps people apply new concepts with confidence.
Here’s why it matters:
- It deepens comprehension. Learners move beyond surface-level knowledge by linking lessons to their real-world experiences.
- It improves long-term retention. Every time someone relates new information to something familiar, the brain strengthens those memory pathways.
- It keeps learners engaged. Elaboration invites conversation = whether it’s through reflection, discussion, or self-explanation. That sense of participation boosts motivation.
- It makes learning more adaptable. When people understand the why behind the what, they can transfer those ideas to new problems and contexts.
- It encourages self-awareness. Learners begin to recognize how they think and process information, which makes future learning easier and faster.
Elaboration turns learning into something active and meaningful. It’s the difference between remembering a fact and truly getting it – the kind of understanding that lasts long after the course ends.
How to implement
Elaboration can be embedded into eLearning design through intentional prompts and activities that encourage learners to explain, connect, or expand on new material. Try incorporating:
- Scenario questions: “How would you handle this situation using the concept you just learned?”
- Self-explanation prompts: “In your own words, describe why this policy exists.”
- Concept mapping: Have learners visualize relationships between ideas.
- Reflective writing: Ask participants to connect course content to their experiences or challenges.
These techniques can also improve writing, storytelling, and analysis, which are helpful for assessments or discussion forums in adult training programs.
Examples in practice
Here are a few ways elaboration can appear in online training:
- Learners complete case studies that require them to apply new theories to realistic workplace problems.
- Discussion boards encourage participants to explain a concept using examples from their own roles.
- Videos or simulations include “pause and reflect” questions prompting learners to predict outcomes or explain reasoning.
- Knowledge checks ask learners why a particular answer is correct, not just which one is.
These activities transform learning into an active dialogue between content and learner — a key to effective eLearning design.
Differences between elaboration and retrieval practice
Elaboration and retrieval practice are both evidence-based learning strategies, but they serve different functions.
Elaboration focuses on adding meaning to new information, such as connecting, explaining, and expanding knowledge. Retrieval practice focuses on recalling information from memory without cues.
In combination, they form a powerful learning cycle: elaboration helps learners understand and encode information, while retrieval practice strengthens their ability to recall and apply it later.
Tips for instructing with elaboration
- Begin modules with questions that activate prior knowledge.
- Encourage learners to explain their reasoning, not just provide answers.
- Use branching scenarios to prompt “what if” thinking.
- Incorporate reflective journaling or peer discussion to deepen connections.
- Provide feedback that reinforces conceptual understanding, not just correctness.
These techniques make elaboration a consistent thread through every stage of learning from introduction to evaluation.
FAQs
What is elaboration in eLearning?
Elaboration in eLearning is the process of encouraging learners to expand on new information by connecting it to prior knowledge, explaining it in their own words, and applying it to real situations.
How does elaboration improve learning?
Elaboration improves learning because it strengthens memory pathways and helps learners make sense of complex material. When learners explain concepts or create connections, they deepen comprehension and long-term retention.
How can elaboration be used in training programs?
Elaboration can be built into training through scenario-based questions, reflective activities, peer discussions, and self-explanation prompts. These techniques make learning more active and meaningful.
What’s the difference between elaboration and memorization?
Memorization focuses on repeating facts, whereas elaboration focuses on understanding why those facts are important. Elaboration promotes insight, reasoning, and critical thinking — not just recall.
Can elaboration be combined with other learning strategies?
Yes. Elaboration pairs well with retrieval practice, spaced learning, and feedback loops, making it a key part of a comprehensive learning strategy.
How LEAi supports elaboration learning
LEAi is a training content authoring tool that takes an organization’s documents, presentations, and wikis and transforms them into content for training and sales enablement.
The content created by LEAi can be utilized for various applications and resources, including internal training sessions, step-by-step guides, e-learning, knowledge base articles, presentations, webinars, videos, and more. The tool can also create assessment questions that focus on reasoning, rather than recall so that training creators can incorporate elaboration learning strategies.
Other features our clients love about LEAi include:
- LearnAdvisor – This feature continuously looks for learning best practices that aren’t being followed, provides you with suggestions on how to improve them, and offers to change them for you automatically.
- Content translator – Quickly translate course content with AI suggestions and your own input. LEAi ensures consistent, up-to-date translations across your course.
- Microlearning creator LEAi does the hard work of breaking large sections of content into smaller courses, making it easier for learners to take and understand.
- Test question generator – LEAi automatically generates the assessment questions that test whether your learners grasp the most important aspects of your course.
- Course updater – LEAi intelligently updates changes to your courses in seconds so that you can eliminate the mundane task of updating individual courses.
Contact us if you’re an overworked training creator who needs help incorporating learning best practices into your programs!
