What Is An eLearning Storyboard?
An eLearning storyboard serves as a blueprint for your eLearning course material, encompassing all visuals, text, and notes necessary to outline the Instructional Design process. In essence, eLearning storyboarding details the structure of online courses and other eLearning projects, typically presented in a document or slide deck. This approach helps both the Instructional Designer and their clients understand the course design, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings or conflicts later on. The primary purposes of an eLearning storyboard include the following:
Learning Objectives
A well-crafted storyboard clearly defines the learning objectives based on the target audience, whether it consists of subject matter experts (SMEs) or university students. It outlines:
- The rationale for creating the course.
- The specific course objectives.
- Indicators of course success.
- Key takeaways for learners.
- Prerequisites that learners need to fulfill before starting the course.
Evaluation Criteria
The storyboard specifies the types of assessment methods to be used, such as exams, module-based tests, puzzles, quizzes, or multiple-choice questions, along with necessary recaps.
Target Audience
Storyboarding also clarifies the target audience for the courses, allowing designers and developers to tailor elements accordingly.
Authoring Tool
It is important for storyboards to detail which authoring tool will be used. While some may prefer third-party e-learning platforms, others may opt for established options like PowerPoint, Lectora, or Microsoft Word.
Instructional Techniques And Content Sequence
A comprehensive storyboard outlines the instructional methods to be employed, whether through scenario-based lessons, storytelling modules, or direct-learning elements. It also defines the sequence of content based on the chosen instructional technique, clearly indicating the order of each element, which topics will be included, and in what sequence, as well as how certain units or modules should be organized for optimal learning flow.
The 6 Elements Of eLearning Storyboards
eLearning storyboards can vary based on the specific content and objectives of the training material, but they generally include several common elements:
1. Title
This section features the name of the course or project title, the date, and other important information to categorize the visual storyboard.
2. On-Screen Text (OST)
This includes the text that will be displayed on the learner’s device. It should provide instructions for learners, such as “Click Next to start your next lesson.”
3. Interaction Details
This section contains crucial instructions for every interaction the learner will encounter throughout the course. This includes quizzes (with clear responses that will be shown) and detailed navigation paths for progressing through each section. Implementing programmatic logic, such as if/then statements, is particularly useful here to guide learners’ navigation.
4. Audio Elements
This part outlines any voiceovers or narrations accompanying each section or sub-section of the course, along with any necessary audio notes.
5. Visual Elements
This section describes the animations, illustrations, images, and other visual components, specifying how they will appear on the learner’s screen.
6. Programming Notes
This includes information about the functionality of each slide. Instructions can range from simple directives, like “Move to slide 5 when the learner selects answer 3,” to more complex scenarios, such as “After the second incorrect attempt, display the failure screen and prompt the user to retake the question.”
Why You Should Use A Storyboard
A visual storyboard is essential for the eLearning development process. It functions like a lesson plan, clearly defining the elements that each part of the course will include. Additionally, it goes beyond just outlining the course content by describing other key aspects, such as the images and videos to be incorporated into the design to keep learners engaged. Given the number of the above elements involved, it’s clear that eLearning storyboards significantly enhance the course design process. Here are some key reasons to use an Instructional Design storyboard during eLearning course development:
Visualize Course Content
The storyboarding process brings course content planning to life, rather than merely jotting down elements on paper. Storyboards illustrate how all components fit together and how the content will appear to the end user, enabling you to plan more effectively.
Team Collaboration
Imagine the hassle of creating various documents to outline course structures and sharing them with stakeholders, including subject matter experts and graphic designers. A storyboard simplifies this process, allowing team members to collaborate and validate the same storyboard throughout the course development project.
Time-Saving
Although storyboarding may seem like a lot of work initially, it is time well spent. Starting your eLearning project without a solid plan can result in costly mistakes later, in terms of both resources and content quality. Having a detailed blueprint in place beforehand streamlines the course development process, ensuring that all team members are aligned on course elements and facilitating a smoother completion.
Identifying Bottlenecks Or Weaknesses
A significant advantage of the storyboarding process is that it allows you to visualize how each element will appear on the learner’s screen. This gives you a comprehensive overview of how your audience will interact with the training materials and helps you identify any weaknesses or obstacles in executing the planned elements. The best approach is to view the storyboard from the user's perspective, making it easier to spot mistakes or areas for improvement.
The 3 Qualities of A Great Storyboard
Well-designed storyboards are invaluable for Instructional Designers. They provide a foundation for the entire learning experience, detailing how each lesson will be presented and incorporating interactive elements like quizzes and puzzles. Without a storyboard, creating a course can feel like steering a ship without a compass, leading to disorganization and confusion among everyone involved in the development process. A great storyboard is characterized by three key traits that make it both practical and efficient:
1. Simplicity
A storyboard should be straightforward enough for everyone to understand, from designers to clients. Central to this is clarity; a robust eLearning storyboard breaks down course elements and objectives into manageable steps—avoiding complex layouts, overcrowded designs, or jargon. A simple storyboard keeps the learner in mind, illustrating how they will interact with the training materials and allowing development teams to execute their vision effectively. The primary goal is to eliminate ambiguity and ensure a smooth workflow, resulting in an enjoyable course for learners. Complex storyboards, on the other hand, cannot achieve this.
2. Scannability
Various stakeholders, including graphic designers, subject matter experts, and clients, review the storyboard; however, they may not have the time to read every single line. This is why scannability is essential. A scannable storyboard enables stakeholders to quickly grasp its content. A quick overview should clearly communicate what the course is about, its final presentation, and the elements it includes. Consistent formatting and visual cues throughout the storyboard enhance comprehension, allowing reviewers to identify key components at a glance. This scannability simplifies the validation of course elements, facilitates better communication, and empowers team members to spot redundancies more swiftly.
3. Adaptability
The course development process is dynamic and ever-changing. From incorporating client feedback to accommodating different learner devices, revisions are inevitable. Therefore, it’s crucial to create a storyboard that is flexible enough to accommodate changes without disrupting the overall flow. Ensuring adaptability involves accounting for various learning devices and platforms, leaving space for media files to be added later, and designing course progression paths that can be easily modified. An adaptable storyboard also supports scalability, allowing courses to be modified or repurposed without starting from scratch. This not only saves time for course designers but also streamlines course launches for organizations running multiple courses (whether monthly or annually).
When executed correctly, these three qualities come together to form a robust eLearning storyboard that benefits everyone involved in the project. Designers have a clear roadmap to follow, developers have a framework to implement, clients understand the unique selling propositions (USPs) of the course, and learners enjoy an engaging, easy-to-follow course structure.
Free eLearning Storyboard Templates
Several eLearning professionals expressed a great interest for free eLearning storyboard templates. Below, we have gathered 72 free storyboards for eLearning. Whether you want to create your own storyboard template or browse through various eLearning storyboard templates already created, these tools have you covered.
72 Free Storyboard Templates For eLearning
- Free PowerPoint 2007 Storyboard Template by John Curran
- The Future Story(board) of PowerPoint by Cliff Atkinson
- Articulate Storyboard by Kevin Thorn of NuggetHead Studios
- Storyboard Template X by Christopher Pappas – (PPP)
- 28 Storyboard Templates by David Becker – (WORD)
- Articulate Player Properties by Kevin Thorn of NuggetHead Studios
- Visual storyboard in Word by Connie Malamed
- Visual storyboard in PowerPoint by Jeffrey Goldman of MinuteBio
- Visual storyboard in PowerPoint by Susan Elliot
- Visual storyboard in PowerPoint by Sherry Michaels
- Visual storyboard in PowerPoint by Praveena Mitran
- Visual storyboard in Word with PowerPoint embedded by Phil Havlik
- Text storyboard in Word by Sherry Michaels
- Text storyboard in Word by Foo Chi-Hian
- Text storyboard in Word by PK Prasad
- Text storyboard in Word by Helene Caura-Yang
- Visual storyboard in PowerPoint by Praveena Mitran
- Text storyboard in Word by PK Prasad
- Text storyboard in Word by Praveena Mitran
- Text storyboard in Word by Praveena Mitran
- Rapid Storyboard for PowerPoint by eLearning Art
- Storyboard Template by Krishna Kalva (WORD)
- B Question Storyboard by Jane E. MacKenzie-Smith – (WORD)
- Three-column Storyboard by Jane E. MacKenzie-Smith – (WORD)
- Storyboard Template by Mike Palmer – (WORD)
- Articulate Slide Properties by Kevin Thorn of NuggetHead Studios
- Sample Storyboard About Recording Events in FPE by Rod Ward – (WORD)
- BHPB IronOre Storyboard by Rod Ward – (WORD)
- BHPB GGP Storyboard Template by Rod Ward – (WORD)
- FREE PowerPoint StoryBoard Template by toolbookdeveloper
- 15+ eLearning Storyboard Templates by Nicole Legault
- Bloom’s Taxonomy Storyboard Template by Thinkific - Hierarchy of Online Learning
- Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction Storyboard Template by Thinkific
- ADDIE Storyboard Template by Thinkific - Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate
- SAM Storyboard Template by Thinkific - Evaluate, Design, Develop
- Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction Storyboard Template by Thinkific - Task/Problem-Centered, Activation, Demonstration, Application, and Integration
- Action Mapping Storyboard Template by Thinkific
- 70-20-10 Storyboard Template by Thinkific
- eLearning Storyboard Template by The Elearning Designer’s Academy
- eLearning Storyboard Template by IDOL (Instructional Design and Online Learning) Courses
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template (PowerPoint) by eLearning Art
- The Ultimate eLearning Storyboard Template by Maestro
- Five Column Multiple Select Question by Jane E. MacKenzie-Smith (PDF)
- Five Column Multiple Choice Question Storyboard by Jane E. MacKenzie-Smith (PDF)
- Five Column Drag and Drop Question Storyboard by Jane E. MacKenzie-Smith (PDF)
- eLearning Storyboard Template by Belvista Studios
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template by FasterCourse
- Free Storyboard Template by Shift Learning
- Free Storyboard by IDOL (Instructional Design and Online Learning) Courses
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template by Endurance Learning
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template by Harbinger Group
- eLearning Storyboard Template by SessionLab
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template by David Watson
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template by Blessing’s Creation
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template 1 by Edutechspot
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template 2 by Edutechspot
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template 3 by Edutechspot
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template 4 by Edutechspot
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template 5 by Edutechspot
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template 6 by Edutechspot
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template 7 by Edutechspot
- Free Instructional Design Storyboard Template by Instructional Design Central
- Learning Design Storyboard Template by Anja Vredeveld
- Learning Design Storyboard Template by Elucidat
- Storyboard Depot (Storyboards for eLearning) by The eLearning Coach
- David Becker Storyboard - Sample (PDF)
- Interactive Video Storyboarding - Free Template by Adobe eLearning (WORD)
- eLearning Storyboard Template - Trivantis
- Storyboard Template for Kids by imagineforest.com (PDF)
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template by iSpring Solutions (WORD)
- Free eLearning Storyboard Template by iSpring Solutions (PPT)
- Free eLearning Storyboard Templates by E-Learning Heroes
Donate Your Storyboard Template
You can support entry-level eLearning professionals! When you were starting your career in the eLearning industry, you could have used guidance from experienced eLearning developers and Instructional Designers. So, if you're an experienced eLearning professional, donate your Storyboard Template for eLearning.
Here's how to participate:
1. Send an email to [email protected].
2. Use the subject line: "Free Storyboard Template".
3. Include a link to your website or blog (you'll receive full credit).
4. Be sure to attach the template file!
Your contribution will be listed at the top of the above list, along with a link to your website, blog, or professional profile. Thank you for supporting the next generation of eLearning professionals!
