Posted by Sometimes it could be confusing to draw the line between what’s useful and what’s not. This criterion is very important when it comes to eLearning Instructional design. Right from the content creation to the design of the page, there are several ways in which it could go wrong. Below are the lists of don’ts when it comes to eLearning instructional design.
Don’t start design without a plan
Planning your eLearning content is as important as anything else and it is very important to start your designs only after you’ve decided on course action and game plan. By having a plan you save on time by avoiding the methods that don’t work. Also, defining your plan will help you design the course structure without major flaws.
Do not waste time
The second most important point to have in mind is that ‘time’ is a crucial asset when it comes to eLearning content design. eLearning is vouched for being quick to create and launch, so don’t forget that. By being brief and to the point, you not only save on time but also make your design far more appealing than those courses that talk about unimportant things. Keep it simple, keep it brief and most importantly make sure the course is far more efficient when it comes to time management.
Don’t use visuals without a reason
Images without a purpose do not help with the design in any way. If not for space occupying they only confuse the reader and reduce the efficiency of your session. Make sure all your visuals, which include pictures, graphs, videos, etc., are all placed with a purpose. One question you will have to ask yourself while using visuals is that, “Can the reader better understand the concept from this picture and does this picture go with the content?” This will help you choose the right visuals for your design.
Don’t change designs frequently
It is important to maintain a consistent design pattern at least throughout your entire session. This will make learning enjoyable and relatable. Set a standard for your fonts and images and chose on a color combination for the layout. Once this is set, do not change it frequently.
Do not over-clutter the page
Too much of anything is good for nothing. Use bullet points so that it is easy for the learner and cut down on complex sentences. Do not use too many images which might only prove to be a distraction to the learner. Remember, simple is efficient.
Make sure your videos work perfectly
Another important point to consider while designing eLearning content is to make sure that the videos that you’ve embedded all work. Sometimes the audio may not be heard properly or they might not sync correctly. The videos that you chose to embed must be supportive to the content that you’ve designed.
Don’t include links that don’t work anymore
By embedding obsolete links you make your content look less credible. Make sure the links to all the material and extra reading that you provide work properly and are useful to the reader. This will improve the overall efficiency of your eLearning course.
Take your tests seriously
Tests and evaluations at the end of course content are designed for a purpose and will have to be taken seriously by both the designer and the taker. It is important to make these self-evaluations effective as they are the only means of testing the understanding of the learner. Pay extra attention while designing these tests and make them useful.
Don’t make your content very dull
Include funny graphics, games and interactive video sessions in your eLearning content. Distribute these fun activities equally and where necessary and this will make your eLearning session more fun, engaging and useful.
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