In an age where we all expect beautiful web design, why does eLearning still have the visual charm of a potato?
Let’s be honest, over the last few decades, alot of eLearning really hasn’t been pretty. One reason for this is that the evolution of eLearning modules from PowerPoint slides has left a lot of developers wedging a slide-based approach into modern, webpage centric eLearning. Another reason is that traditionally instructional designers have worn all the hats – learning designer, eLearning developer, and graphic designer. That’s a tall ask for anyone.
Instructional and visual design are both critical to the development of successful digital learning products. In fact, they need to exist in perfect harmony for the learning experience to be effective.
If you are leading a project that includes eLearning deliverables, your primary aim is to achieve your learning outcomes. This is where great visual design really shines. It strengthens your learning outcomes by reducing cognitive load and improving learner comprehension and engagement.
Here are our top tips for improving the visual design of your eLearning modules.
Tip 1: Use graphics to break down complex concepts
Great visual design will provide learners with visual clues to support comprehension, making concepts easier to understand.
Consider the text below.
In Perth on the day of the 2021 Census, 36% of people travelled to work in public transport, 23% travelled in a car, 15% rode a bike, and 2% walked. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021).
Now let's pair this text with a visual element. Instantly, it becomes much easier to understand and retain.
Tip 2: Use visual hierarchy to highlight important information
Great visual design will draw the learner’s attention to important information through effective visual hierarchy.
The layout below is an example of visual hierarchy in action. Visual hierarchy organises information in order of importance. When we don’t create effective visual hierarchy, our content all looks the same, making it difficult to identify what's important.
A well-executed visual hierarchy will show your learners where to look first and guide them effortlessly through your course from beginning to end.
Tip 3: Improve comprehension with effective design
Using principles such as alignment, proximity and repetition will organise your content and improve comprehension. Alignment will create a clear path for our eyes to follow, minimising the effort required to process information.
Alignment refers to more than just text. Well place images, icons and negative space will provide a balanced and cohesive experience. Alignment can be left, right, top, bottom or centre aligned.
Proximity will group together related concepts so it’s easy for learners to connect the dots, and the use of repetitive elements will help learners understand and navigate your interface.
Tip 4: Great design adds value and credibility
If your digital learning product looks balanced, cohesive and professional, your learners are more likely to think that the product has value and is therefore worth their time. If your product looks messy and cluttered, your learner will perceive that it isn't credible and will resent having to engage with it.
It's high time we bid farewell to the era of ugly eLearning. After all, why settle for socks and sandals, when we can give learners sophisticated and stylish digital learning experiences that leave a lasting impression.