As instructional designers, it is easy to get caught up in the latest trends and platforms to create new learning content. By the nature of our field, we are driven to continue to learn and grow our skill set by incorporating more tools into our toolbelt to deliver the most interactive and engaging content that we possibly can for our users. But this impulse can come at a cost to our learners, who may not be as technologically inclined as we are.
The first step in any instructional design is to know the learner. When we hear that learners are not tech-savvy, we often assume they are older, but this is not true in many cases. One particular case that comes to mind is when I designed training for forklift drivers and construction workers. These learners work outside, doing and creating things rather than keeping up with the latest tech gadgets. It wasn't that they hadn't grown up with technology, but that it didn't appeal to them to know more than they had to.
Another case I encountered involved parents returning to the corporate world after extended parental leave. Technology develops at an astounding rate, and if you find yourself not using it for a year or two, you can feel overwhelmed and potentially intimidated by what you once found comfortable.
There are also instances of users not having had the privilege of growing up with technology due to financial concerns or lack of technology infrastructure. Additionally, some learners have conditions that have made using computers or tablets more of a pain than a pleasure.
Casting a wide net
With these considerations in mind, the net has now been cast much wider for users who may not be thrilled to jump at the chance to take an eLearning course. The question now becomes, how do we, as instructional designers and learning professionals, approach designing for users who may not be tech-savvy for a variety of reasons? Within my design work, there are four simple guidelines that I follow.
1. Keep it consistent
Variety may be the spice of life, but consistency is the key to delivering replicable results. Change can be jarring for anyone, and if each course has a different look and way of navigating, training can quickly become overwhelming or confusing. For instance, if half your courses have a next button that users can click at any point and the other half have it disabled until they complete everything, learners may become frustrated. If you are designing a series of courses, use the same icons and interactions throughout the series. Be thoughtful as you create courses to ensure consistency across your learning offerings.
2. Include navigation instructions
Speaking of navigation, include a simple slide at the beginning of your course to talk about navigation. Let learners know whether they need to complete all interactions on the screen before they will be able to advance or if they can advance freely. Introduce any icons you will use, such as a mute icon if a slide does not include audio or if highlighting a box means they should click there. The best part about this approach is that you can design the basic shell once, copy it into future designs, and update it as necessary.
3. Build a narrative
People are creatures of storytelling, and everyone loves a good story. It's easy to think that to make something engaging, we need to include all the bells and whistles to keep learners interested in our content. A more effective way to engage learners, especially for the tech-averse, is to build a narrative into your courses and questions that allow the learner to see how they will apply the information. A good story will keep all learners more engaged with your content than any interactive component.
4. Use plain language
We all know to avoid technical jargon and simplify complex concepts, but instructional designers must go a step further to truly use plain language. As you read through your course, ask yourself, am I using contractions? Are there places I'm using one long word when two or three smaller words would do? Is this how I would explain this topic to a friend? We can often associate using plain language with 'dumbing down' the content, but this approach actually makes the content accessible. Users who are already reluctant to engage with technology don't need the added cognitive task of translating what is written in the course to plain language. When you are able to take a more conversational tone, you can create a learning experience that meets the learners where they are and helps lighten their cognitive load.
Start small
These four guidelines require no additional tools and do not add a line item to the budget, but they can take time to implement. If you need to design for the technologically disinclined, start small and focus on one area to avoid overwhelming yourself. Over time, you can incorporate additional guidelines until they all become standard operating practices. In the meantime, keep learning about all new trends and techniques. Who knows, you may be able to find ways of making them accessible to all of your learners.
Learn more
The Learning Guild's eLearning Foundations online conference, February 12–13, explores essential skills and knowledge that can elevate your instructional design. Join us for two packed days of engaging sessions on designing and creating compelling training that gets results. Register today!
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