Visualizing an eLearning project is often difficult while storyboarding. The learner experience in a linear document is reflected only by how well the instructions are written. Storyboards are not just three-column documents or a deck of slides. They are a collection of documents that define every aspect of a project. Visual storyboards define the behaviors and experience that aid designers when communicating with stakeholders about what the eLearning project will eventually look like.

In this design-thinking workshop, we will start with a topic and sketch ideas into a document of development instructions. We’ll explore storyboarding back to the early days of Disney and discover how it has been adapted in other industries such as web, product, and user experience design. We will explore why it is critical that the design process begins on paper. We will adapt storyboarding concepts from those industries by adopting the analog phase of sketching the product (eLearning) before moving to development. We will actively discover the value of storyboards by exploring opportunities to make adjustments before time and effort is invested in development.

In this session, you will learn:

• The basics of visual communication
• How to create a visual library for eLearning storyboarding
• How to visually map instructional flow and behaviors
• Design-thinking techniques to explore ideas
• How to transition designs to storyboard documents

Audience:
Novice designers, developers, and managers. A basic understanding of instructional design principles assumed. No visual design skills required. Bring a brain, the passion to create, and a sharp pencil!

Technology discussed in this session:
The majority of the day will be spent designing on paper, learning the basics of visual communication, and creating a visual library for eLearning design. Microsoft PowerPoint and Word are presented in the afternoon on transitioning those early designs to usable documents.

Participant technology requirements:
Participants need a laptop with Microsoft PowerPoint and Word installed.