How to Design Effective eLearning

In this video, we’ll dive into the full eLearning design and development process that I’ve used to secure high-value client projects. And I’ve helped people in the bootcamp use this process to land some of the most competitive instructional design opportunities.

Much of the eLearning that you may have seen is designed more like an information-dump than an engaging, story-driven experience. This process will help you design immersive learning experiences that capture people’s attention and help them perform better on-the-job.

In addition to helping your audience, you can use this process to create a portfolio project that will help you stand out in the market.

The step-by-step eLearning design process is:
1. Identify the Need: Determine if there is an opportunity for improvement
2. Create an Action Map: Map out the actions you want people to practice.
3. Write the Storyboard: Create the text-based blueprint for your eLearning experience.
4. Design Visual Mockups: Design the visual layout for your eLearning experience.
5. Develop a prototype: Develop a prototype for your project.
6. Develop the Final Product: Complete the final product.

I’ll also discuss how you can add moments of delight and help enhance transfer for your audience.

Throughout the video, we’ll explore portfolio projects where people have used this eLearning design process effectively.

As always, thank you for the support!

Using the affiliate links below will help support me and the content on this channel:

***Book Recommendations***

***My Gear Setup***

0:00 Intro
0:52 The Approach
3:00 The Process
3:54 Step 1: Identify the Need
7:01 Portfolio Tips
8:35 Step 2: Create an Action map
11:19 Action Mapping Tips
12:29 Step 3: Write the Storyboard
15:53 Providing Guidance
25:10 Storyboard Tips
26:51 Step 4: Design Visual Mockups
29:38 Visual Mockup Tips
30:37 Step 5: Develop a Prototype
32:37 Prototype Tips
35:03 Step 6: Develop the Final Product
36:08 Full eLearning Project Tips
36:56 Add Moments of Delight
43:15 Enhance Transfer
46:31 Conclusion

[DevlinPeckYT]

If you enjoyed this video, please subscribe! There is a lot more content about designing effective eLearning coming your way, and subscribing is the best way to show your support. Thank you!

[selormvan]

Thanks so much, Devlin, you're a blessing!

[nehalahmumtaz]

I landed a job of ID by answering what I learned from you Devlin. I am an engineer. Job starts in 4 weeks...gotta learn how to do IDing till then. I am so confident i have your lectures, i know I will pull it. Thank you much

[sportyguy]

I feel like I'm doing an MBA with you Devlin. There is no end to what you can teach. Keep up the great work. I especially like the animation examples of how to make our e-learning more memorable.

[jakelearningandstuff-zyfj]

There are a lot of folks out there teaching things you YouTube but very few offer actual, actionable, and meaningful insights and knowledge like you do. You clearly care about education and learning and you treat the YouTube community as potential colleagues instead of potential sales. Thank you for what you do.

[olgakukh]

THe World is a better place because there are people like you Devlin!🤗☀ Thank you so much for this tutorial!

[macita]

I've landed my first edtech job after transitioning from teaching thanks to all the helpful tips you gave! Just finished my first week and I am thrilled

[colinbuck]

As a online lecturer found this very useful in guiding me through how to turn boring old MS Word word heavy docs into interactive sessions users can follow in their own time. Just starting out in the Articulate domain too, so need all the guidance I can get!

[miguelsalazar]

Awesome! Your videos have helped me so much over the past two years as an ID. Thanks to you, I have been improving my course creation process in my work as a full time ID and freelancer. Thanks Devlin!

[simrandhupar]

This is like the perfect pitstop for anyone looking to get insights on the ID process. Or should I say quite some detailed insights. I am finally clearer with the action mapping approach after watching this video, thanks to your example. You're a game changer!

[RileyMcDonald-uw]

As a online lecturer found this very useful in guiding me through how to turn boring old MS Word word heavy docs into interactive sessions users can follow in their own time. Just starting out in the Articulate domain too, so need all the guidance I can get!

[aliciavieralxd]

This is an awesome video and one I'm sure I will return to watch again and again in the future! I really appreciated the tips you shared and also loved the great examples you chose to illustrate them. They are inspiring and also very helpful to put it all in context. Thank you, @Devlin!

[MisterMessinger]

Devlin! Great video, thanks for the recommendation. Is the playlist live that you mentioned at the start of the video?

Also, do you have content that shows how to integrate Vyond with a course, like you showed?

[gerryortiz]

Dev, you're the GOAT! By far the best of your videos and that's saying a lot since your videos have been so helpful. After each one I watch I feel my imposter syndrome dwindling away. Thank you so much! Keep up the excellent work!

[amberbachner]

Hey Devlin! Super grateful for your content. Would you possibly be willing to share your template for your Storyboard that you build in Google Docs? Yours has been the most logical layout that I've seen so far and I've been really struggling to create my own in a way that flows neatly.

[eautyInTheDark]

Hi Devlin! Around 33:02 you said there's a full video on "that." Is there a video about tracing over elelements? Can you share the link to the video, please?

[Kim-htfv]

I'm a recent graphic design grad and just landed my first ID role starting Monday. These lessons are extremely informative and this one in particular is stellar, providing the examples and breaking them down as a newcomer to this job title is a huge help so thank you for putting this out there!

Could you point me in the right direction for information on other methods like scenario based solutions? Would love to get acquainted with them all to hit the ground running!

[sejaalbonnytilwani]

This is a way detailed video, Devlin. And combined with other action mapping videos on your channel makes it a perfect combo. I would love to ask, what can be the possible observable actions for a knowledge-based problem?

[Mike_Lerner]

What are the norms regarding the information you need to source to create a course? What sources do you use? Do you need to cite the sources? What sources are deemed credible? I haven’t found anything on this. I would appreciate any insight.

[nicolegniadek]

Hi Devlin! Your videos have been such a huge help as I work to transition from education to instructional design. Thanks so much for what you do! You mention testing the prototype on multiple devices/browsers — how does that work? I would have to export and publish the prototype somewhere, right?