Picture This You’ve just launched a new training. It’s well-designed, reviewed by SMEs, and packed with important information. But a week later, the data tells a different story: Sound familiar? The challenge is not that learners do not care. It is that something in the design is causing them to disengage. In many cases, the issue is not obvious. It is
Picture This A few months ago, a colleague confidently told me about a training she had just completed. She described the breakout rooms, the polls, and the interactive slides. Clearly, it had been engaging. Then I asked a simple follow-up: “So what are you using from it now?” She paused. After a moment, she laughed and said, “Honestly… I’m not sure.” That moment is more common
Ever worked with a Subject Matter Expert (SME) who’s brilliant but swamped, enthusiastic but long‑winded, or helpful but unsure where to begin? You’re not alone. In many eLearning projects, there is a moment when a knowledgeable SME looks at all the material and says something like, “I know this content well, but I’m not sure how to turn it into a
Selecting the right eLearning format can make a significant impact on learner engagement, retention, and application of knowledge. Different audiences have different learning preferences, so investing time in understanding those needs is essential for creating effective training. Real-world Example: The Public Health Foundation’s instructional design team followed this intentional process while developing our new course, QI QuickStart: Applying the PDCA Cycle in Public
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we approach instructional design, complementing rather than replacing it. In fact, it raises an exciting question: how can instructional designers, with their unique blend of creativity, empathy, and strategy, use AI to amplify their work rather than compete with it? Instructional designers bring the human touch that no algorithm
“Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential.” — Debra Ruh Imagine This Scenario You are a learner who has low vision. You start an online course, and the first activity asks you to sort items into color coded boxes: red, green, and yellow. But there are no labels. Your screen reader only says, “drop
“Begin with the end in mind.” — Stephen R. Covey, from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Scenario: Eli’s First Steps in Dementia Care Training Meet Eli. Eli is an instructional designer known for building courses that actually stick. One afternoon, Eli’s manager shares a new assignment: “We need a course on dementia care.
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” — Often attributed to Benjamin Franklin When designing an engaging eLearning experience, scenario-based learning often stands out. Scenarios offer a practical and interactive way to help learners connect with the material on a deeper level. They answer the age-old
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” — Commonly attributed to Peter Drucker In public health, impactful learning starts with listening – not just delivering content. A well-designed training needs assessment helps organizations identify what staff need to learn, how they prefer to learn, and where the workforce development is most needed. Amid