Busting 8 Common eLearning Template Myths

Busting 8 Common eLearning Template Myths
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Summary: Can anyone use eLearning templates, regardless of their graphic design experience (or lack thereof)? Do they limit your creative control and yield to cookie-cutter eLearning courses? In this article, I bust 8 common myths about eLearning templates.

Common eLearning Template Myths And The Truth Behind Them

Some eLearning professionals avoid eLearning templates like the plague. It’s not that they don’t want to save time and avoid starting from scratch. What’s preventing them from using pre-built layouts are misconceptions. That eLearning templates are the ‘lazy’ route or that they lack the necessary skills to create something amazing from something pre-made. Then there are those at the opposite end of the spectrum who dive into the first eLearning template with unrealistic expectations. Let’s take a look at 8 most common eLearning template myths and dispel them once and for all.

Debunking 8 eLearning Template Misconceptions And Myths

1. You Don’t Need Any Design Experience To Use An eLearning Template

Anybody can use an eLearning template, right? It’s simply a matter of choosing the right one, uploading it to your eLearning authoring tool, then plugging in your data. That’s what the placeholders are for. Unfortunately, you do need some degree of graphic design experience to use eLearning templates effectively. Particularly if you want to customize them to suit your training needs and reflect your brand image and learner preferences. You should also be familiar with your eLearning authoring tool’s features so that you can add engaging visuals and multimedia to your eLearning course design.

2. Free eLearning Templates Aren’t Worth The Investment

Yes, they may be free. But many eLearning professionals are under the assumption that they simply aren’t worth the investment of time and that they won’t bring any value to their current eLearning project. This is one of the biggest eLearning templates myths. There are actually free eLearning templates that are more user-friendly, and versatile enough to suit your subject matter. They offer greater customization options, which allows you to personalize eLearning content without a steep learning curve. You can also opt for low-cost versions, or invest in an eLearning authoring tool with built-in templates, if free eLearning templates don’t suffice.

3. eLearning Templates Limit Creativity

Another one of the common eLearning template myths is that they limit your creative freedom. You cannot possibly realize your vision and achieve the desired aesthetic with a pre-built eLearning template. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are fully customizable eLearning templates that enable you to adjust the color scheme, visuals, and other elements. As well as incorporate brand messaging. If you do feel limited, you can always create your own reusable eLearning template to save time and money on future eLearning projects.

4. All eLearning Templates Yield The Same Results

eLearning resources created from eLearning templates all have the same generic look and feel. False. An eLearning template is like any other tool. It gives you a foundation to build on and it’s your job to customize it. There are some eLearning templates that bare little resemblance to their former selves once they’re transformed into an eLearning course. It’s all a matter of giving it your personal flair with the help of repurposed online resources and rapid eLearning authoring tool assets.

5. You’re Free To Use Any eLearning Template You Like Without Any Restrictions

If the eLearning template is available online, it’s fair game. In actuality, you need to verify the usage rights for every eLearning template you use in your eLearning course design. There may be certain restrictions and you don’t want to end up violating intellectual property rights or copyright laws. In some cases, you may have to obtain written permission. While others require you to leave their embedded link-in template and credit the source. When in doubt, contact the creator to find out if there are any stipulations to consider (which might prompt you to choose another eLearning template entirely).

6. eLearning Templates Are Compatible With Every Tool

This is among the eLearning template myths that can lead to costly headaches. So, you must verify that your eLearning template of choice is compatible with your eLearning authoring tools and LMS. For example, it may be in a format that doesn’t mesh with your tools. Which means that you’ll have to spend time searching for a new eLearning template, invest in other software, or try to make it work. And that involves a significant amount of troubleshooting and tech know-how. You might try using specific keywords to search for compatible eLearning templates. Such as incorporating the name of your tool into the search parameters.

7.  eLearning Templates Are For ‘Lazy’ Graphic Designers

Only lazy eLearning professionals use eLearning templates to create deliverables. You know the type…people who don’t really care about the end-user experience. They just want to churn out as many eLearning courses as possible, as quickly as possible. That’s one of the eLearning template myths that need to stop spreading here and now. We have to change our perception of eLearning templates and realize they aren’t shortcuts, but a way to improve resource allocation. It’s not taking the easy way out. Instead, eLearning templates give us the ability to reduce development time and create a solid framework. You still have to make it your own and use your graphic design skills to transform them into a memorable eLearning experience.

8. You Have To Be A Graphic Design Guru To Make Something Special From An eLearning Template

It takes a special breed of graphic designer to take an eLearning template to the next level. In short, you need loads of experience, graphic design expertise, and a sizable team to work your magic. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. I mentioned earlier that you do need some degree of graphic design experience. However, you don’t need to be a graphic design guru to develop something wholly unique and learner-centered from an eLearning template. Granted, it may take some lateral thinking and creativity to mold the layout to accommodate your training needs.

Conclusion

eLearning templates aren’t the solution for everything. And you do need some basic graphic design know-how to use them effectively and create something unique. However, you don’t necessarily have to be a graphic design expert with years of experience under your belt. The key is finding the ideal eLearning template for the task and utilizing your skills, expertise, and in-house tools to custom-tailor the eLearning content.

Are you choosing the right eLearning templates for your audience and subject matter? Download our free eBook eLearning Templates From A To Z to discover how to speed up the eLearning development process while reducing the cost. eLearning templates give you a head start by allowing you to focus on the content of your eLearning course rather than worrying about graphic  design or production errors.