How Googleās Designers Can Help You Build Better E-Learning (via Google Reader)
I read this and wanted to share it.
I read this interesting article the other day about how Googleās designers changed the look and feel of their products. It reminded me a lot of what we have to do when building elearning courses and itās in line with many questions I get about elearning design during my workshops.
Here are some things that relate to what we do in the world of elearning.
Build Consistent Navigation
People generally expect that things work the way they expect them to. Navigation is one of those types of things.Ā
Donāt deviate from what people expect. Navigation should be consistent. Generally people look over the screen using a Z or F pattern. It makes sense that the back and forward navigation is at the bottom right corner since it isnāt critical information and one of the last things we need to see on that screen.
If you do deviate from expected norms, have a reason to do so. Donāt just haphazardly move things around the screen. Iāve seen buttons turned sideways and in different places just because there was no room on the slide or the designer wanted it to look different. This is a frustrating experience. When people start focusing on the navigation and not the instructional content, youāve probably failed.
Use White Space in Graphic Design
White space is a just as much a design feature as any other graphic. However, I think some people arenāt comfortable with it on the screen. Empty space is like a vacuum that will keep sucking until it gets filledā¦kind of like my hallway closet or kitchen drawers. Typically weāll move objects around to fill the space or add decorative graphics.
I worked on a project once where we had icons for six modules. The way they were designed they didnāt completely fill the top. So we had an empty corner (which was fine). But our client couldnāt handle the blank spot and didnāt want to change the icons. So she had us build an extra module just to fill the space.
Donāt be afraid of white space. Itās an ally when communicating visually. Hereās a good article on white space in graphics.
Itās hard to institute change. Thatās what Google ran into. While trying to persuade change can be frustrating there is something valuable in the process.
If change were easy weād do it all the time and probably mess up more than we fix. The fact that we run into walls and roadblocks requires that we step back and assess the value of continuing versus the benefits of change.
How much effort are you really willing to put into the change? At one point is it not worth it. If itās important youāll find a way to get the change implemented. If not, then give up and spend your time and energy on things that will produce better value.
Compromise Can Make You Seem Indecisive
Iāve worked on projects where after a few meetings we ended up with three or four decent ideas instead of one good one. The team would split into different camps and support different ideas. Since they were all good enough ideas and we generally didnāt want to offend others (or seem overly aggressive pushing ours) weād present all of the ideas to our clients and let them decide.
Thatās probably what the Google designers did.
Ā They presented then-CEO Eric Schmidt and other leaders with a set of four different concepts, with themes like making Google more like desktop clients, or differentiating products by color. It sounded like there were too many options and not enough conviction.
Ā This is a lack of leadership. Instead, tell me which one is best and why?
Clients hire you for your expertise. They donāt want to make all of the decisions. In the Google example it looked like they presented too many choices and the lack of clarity made it seem no one was really convinced that one was better than the other.
Options are good. You should present options to your clients. But there should be a reason why youāre presenting them. Perhaps each option addresses a slightly different strategic perspective. For example: choose A if you want to go this route. Choose B if you want to go the other. Donāt make both options an A.
Present Multiple Treatments. Generally I present three treatments that range from least expensive (basic) to more expensive (most interactive and media intensive). Each choice is a little different and presents pros and cons for each approach. This gives the client some flexibility with a reason for doing so.
Before and After Examples Work
Instead of wasting your time trying to explain what you want to do, build some before and after examples to show your clients. Seeing the difference is better than hearing about it.
If you work in a large organization building the same boring click-and-read content and want to do more, then take that boring content and rework it to show what you want to do. Show them the difference between good and bad elearning.
Theyāve taken enough bad courses to recognize the difference. Having some examples ready to go is a good way to convince them to make the change. And it also cements your authority as an expert and not just order taker.
Stay Connected with Your Peers
When the initial presentation didnāt work, the Google designers became more strategic by staying connected with each other. This is something you can do, too.
Many times the training and elearning people are spread throughout the organization and not usually connected to each other.Ā But thereās a lot of power in being connected. In Googleās example, they were able to coordinate some of their design ideas.
I presented to the Humana group in Kentucky. Theyāre connected and run an internal training conference every year. Itās about as good as any other conference Iāve been to (on a smaller scale). This lets them create a sense of community and ability to share all sorts of expertise. Another group I met with the Washington State government has started doing the same thing by connecting their elearning developers. They share best practices and resources.
If you work for a large organization, see what you can do to connect with your peers. If you need some ideas, let me know. If you donāt have access to others in your organization then join the elearning community and use that as your community of peers.
Here are a few examples that may give you some ideas. Recently someone wanted to do some benchmarking for healthcare organizations. From there, they created a monthly elearning healthcare chat about difference topics. Someone in higher education saw that and started something similar.
Calling all folks who work in higher education
Doing some regular networking is good, but it doesnāt need to be that organized. Just jump into the community when you need some specific help with your elearning projects like how to streamline the content and create a great elearning course.
The article about the Google designerās is a reminder that working on teams and trying to make change happen can be a challenge. Itās true for Google and itās true for elearning.
Hopefully these ideas help you move in the right direction. Did you gain any other insights from reading the article about Googleās designers? If so, feel free to share them using the comments link.
The E-Learning Workshop in Portland is filling up. Make sure to sign up before itās too late. Same for the session in the UK.
I just added some new information on the Orange County workshops and dates for other upcoming workshops.
March 21-23: Orlando, FL (Learning Solutions Conference)
April 5: Portland, OR (OpenSesame). An E-Learning Heroes Roadshow workshop where weāll look at ways to build elearning courses and learn some great PowerPoint tips. Excellent price and great coffee!
April 10: Jacksonville, FL (NEFL ASTD). Rapid E-Learning: From Blah to Hoorah! Feel free to contact the chapter if you have questions. Join me for the free Articulate jam session on April 11.
April 17: Virginia (SEVA ASTD). Rapid elearning workshop. The first half weāll look at some basic course design and in the second half weāll learn to build interactive content. Working on a free Articulate jam session for this event.
May 17: Costa Mesa, CA (ASTDOC). Two workshops in one: Rapid E-Learning Workshop and Getting Started with Articulate Storyline.
May 22: London, UK. Iām doing a full-day elearning workshop and looking forward to meeting the blog readers in the UK.
May 24: Leeds UK. This is the annual Articulate usersā conference hosted by Leeds. Itās a great way to connect with other Articulate users.
June 27: Baltimore, MD. Details coming.
July: Knoxville, TN (Smoky Mountain ASTD). Details coming
August: Houston, TX (ASTD Houston). Details coming
September 27: Boston, MA (ADAPT). Details coming.
October 4: Seattle, WA (ASTDPS). Details coming.
October 17: Bloomington, IL (CIC-ASTD). Details coming.
October 23 & 24: Milwaukee, WI (SEWI-ASTD). Details coming.
November 14 & 15: Chicago, IL Details coming.
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