Recently I was asked what are the top 5 essential elements of great eLearning design. Since I’m feeling better after a shoulder injury, for all you non-designers our there, I’ll share 10….in order of importance. “It” = elearning solution (ie, any online or mobile learning course, presentation, experience, event, product, tool, app)

1–Determine what “it” is in the context of how it’s purpose will help the business/organization.
Example: You want to create an eLearning course to build compliance awareness. What is it? Trick question. A course? It can be–that’s good. But, if we’re talking about great learning design, then “it” is what you make “it” to be right from the beginning. mmm…yes I realize that sounded quite obvious. Allow me to explain. Great design grows out of purpose. What’s the purpose of the course? Not the learning purpose. What can it do for the learner? Or what should it do for the learner to motivate them to learn/do the thing you want them to do after they complete “it”? Good example of “it”: It’s an highly interactive course that uses brief scenarios and role-play to help the learner practice. Great example of “it”: It’s an interactive commercial-like sitcom that gets people to think and react on the fly. Note, how setting the purpose can adjust/reset your success trajectory ever so slightly along the good to great continuum? Design strategy, methodology, features…can rapidly be created if you describe your purpose. It’s especially successful if you describe it using a metaphor or analogy of a known tool or concept. Examples: “It’s like an iphone app for dummies.” or “It’s like a virtual learning lounge where people can share and discuss what they’ve learned.”

2–Make “it” so that can be used, accessed, and function within the learners everyday work/play environment.

3–Clearly, concisely define the measurable business/organizational goal “it” will meet.

4–Clearly, concisely define the measurable learning goal “it” will meet.

5–Confirm with business/organizational partners that business goal will be met if learning goal is met.

6–Convey key messages to make people emotionally connect and do what you want them to do after they complete “it”.
Likely you know that having learning objectives is a good thing: After completing “X”, the learner will be able to do Y. As the learning is unfolded/accessed to and by the learner, consider underscoring the objectives by using key messages that explain why the learner should be learning Y. Why is it important? What’s in it for them? Why should they care?

7–Introduce the learning objectives as a problem to solve, situation to tackle, villain to slay, or even a task to complete (depending upon what “it” is).
Good = You will learn this today…. or (if an app or tool) Open this up and look and find this….   Great = Did you ever wonder why….? How can you solve this?  or (if a app or tool) [learner enters interface to see two blue and red glowing circles in center with this caption: Did you ever wonder what X would be like if you could just test drive it first? [user/learner would click each button to enter virtual scenarios of a situation to tackle.]

8–Find out how your targeted learners learn and design “it” to closely match their style.

9–Design “it” so a 3rd grader can open it, find it, or navigate it.

10–Design “it” so they’ll want to use it again, learn it again, or share it with others.

What to you think? What would you add?