Read This Article If You Want To Create Engaging E-Learning In 2019

Dear Friend,

You're going to want to read every word of this article if you want to create fun and engaging e-learning in 2019.

Because, over the last 7 years, I’ve been having a blast designing Story-Based E-Learning. And it’s time for you to get in on the action.

Now, before I go on, I want you to know that I understand if you’re hesitant.

But, for the sake of getting the most out of 2019, let's pretend you and your organization are ready, right now.

Why?

The reason is simple.

You see, most of my clients contact me, at first, because they want to move away from "traditional" e-learning. More specifically, they fear delivering something boring.

As you're well aware, the one thing few people can endure is boredom. And being the cause of widespread boredom is embarrassing (and could be bad for the career.)

So I get it.

You might not desire "fun and engaging" just yet.

But, if you’re aware of what you don’t want, that’s enough. As someone once said, “From a little spark, may burst a flame.” So true.

A LITTLE SPARK

Let us now, at long last, get specific. I am about to tell you the true story of how I designed the most popular Articulate Storyline project ever designed.

Back in 2012, Articulate needed help marketing the launch of Articulate Storyline. So they created the Storyline “Guru Award” contest. A creative and efficient way for Articulate to get their community to share examples, and, for community members to gain exposure. Win-Win.

So, I entered ‘Broken Co-worker’ into the contest—my first ever story-driven scenario-based e-learning project.

In ‘Broken Co-worker’ I emulate the challenges of managing appropriate workplace boundaries in a clever, yet effective, soft skills training course.

SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY

My Instructional Designer and I decided on a unique way to present harassment training...

You see, most soft skills training is top down: showing managers how to respond to a complaint or how to take disciplinary action.

And, the truth is, there are few courses that train co-worker to co-worker soft skills. In other words, “How to deal with a difficult co-worker?”

And so, we came up with a novel approach: self-confidence training disguised in office bullying scenarios.

Our learning goal was to show how to be emotionally intelligent in difficult situations, and, assertive without being rude or causing conflict.

HELP PEOPLE DEAL WITH REALITY

Now, it was important ‘Broken Co-worker’ had broad appeal. So I engineered it to resonate with most office workers. (I actually rewatched the movie Office Space for inspiration!)

But more importantly, to help people deal with reality, I designed a sequence of scenarios.

Think of the scenarios as an interrelated series of causes and effects. And that's what makes ‘Broken Co-worker’ extremely worthwhile...

As you probably know, you learn by experiencing the rewards and punishments of your actions interacting with reality.

And the clearer the relationship is between cause and effect, the better.

‘Broken Co-worker’ excels at this.

You can plainly see the interactions between your actions and your results.

And, when you think about it, a mistake in ‘Broken Co-worker’ is great!

Because it A) Didn’t happen in real life, which would have been much worse and, B) The negative consequence does not inhibit, but contribute to the learning process!

You benefit as long as you see the wrong choice as “negative feedback data”. (You need to see your mistake as a deviation from the positive goal that you desire.)

THE PERSUASIVE POWER OF VISUAL STORYTELLING

It was also important to balance the interactive experience with visual storytelling.

You see, people comprehend and remember information better when there is text and an image on the screen. Endless studies have revealed that this approach increases retention by up to 65%!

And, here's a little secret: You remember things even better when you are emotionally involved.

That's where storytelling comes in.

You give your audience an emotionally satisfying experience.

STORYTELLING MADE EASY

Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin said every great story is born from intentions and obstacles. In other words: Who wants what, and what’s stopping them from getting it?

It’s good advice, particularly for people creating e-learning experiences.

You’ll see in the first six panels of ‘Broken Co-worker’ (video below) I make the intention and obstacle clear.

I introduce a protagonist (Sam) and an antagonist (Emma), and introduce the friction and tension between them.

THAT COULD BE ME

Sadly, in most cases... people don't internalize information and wisdom from "traditional" e-learning courses.

But, with Story-Based E-learning, you get to use a powerful technique: character identification.

This is when you feel what the hero feels, worry over the same things, and want him/her to succeed against all odds.

Consider this fact: If I can get you to feel Sam's story as if it's happening to you, you'll connect emotionally with the lesson. And, as a result, I'm able to persuade you much more easily.

It’s a simple trick. People care about protagonists they can identify with. And this is achieved when you can get them to think, “That could be me.”

I get you to identify with Sam's source of pain and frustration: Emma.

THE KEY IS PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION

Another thing I've noticed missing from "traditional" e-learning is a sense of transformation.

Story-Based E-Learning fixes this.

Here’s how I did it:

I just took a page out of Joseph Campbell’s ‘Hero’s Journey’, a popular archetypal story pattern...

It states that you first need to create contrast by showing your hero in his mundane, ordinary world.

Pixar ALWAYS does this.

You’ve probably noticed that Pixar exaggerates their hero’s mundane, ordinary world. (Because the best, most emotionally involving, stories are about the path to transformation.)

Pixar embellishes the ordinary world in the first 11 minutes of The Incredibles...

Mr. Incredible begins in a mundane rut, and routine, which makes his transformation to a hero (again) rewarding.

I introduce the hero of ‘Broken Co-worker’, Sam, using the exact same strategy.

And you get invested. Sam is so stressed that you can’t wait for him to confront Emma, and build self-confidence.

ACTIVITIES CREATE BETTER ENGAGEMENT

I suggest every new e-learning designer view content from an activity standpoint, not an organizational standpoint (information).

E-learning makes a bad search engine... but... it's a useful tool for practicing decision making.

I believe Ray Dalio said it best:

“Life is like a game where you seek to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of achieving your goals. You get better at this game through practice. The game consists of a series of choices that have consequences. You can’t stop the problems and choices from coming at you, so it’s better to learn how to deal with them.”

Just remember: E-learning equals practice ;)

ENGAGEMENT HACKING

It's best to approach e-learning design with a growth mindset. Great e-learning is born out of continuous improvement.

And so, since 2012, I've optimized the ‘Broken Co-worker-style’ for clients...

With talented artistry and masterful storytelling (which includes all the engagement strategies I shared with you today.)

This is for someone who doesn't have a gazillion dollars to spend on e-learning. And it allows us to get a Story-Based E-Learning project done in 4 to 6 weeks. How's that for turnaround?

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN IN 2019

Today, ‘Broken Co-worker's’ impact goes far beyond promoting Articulate Storyline.

It's now used in instructional systems design (ISD) programs — as a stellar example of e-learning, and to show what ‘scenario-based design’ is.

It has become (in its own right) an inspiration for the next wave of e-learning designers.

Back in 2012, I made the decision not to accept the status quo, but challenge it. I stepped out of my comfort zone and it paid off.

It's now your turn.

Make 2019 the year you move away from "traditional" e-learning.

To your success,

Ryan

"One example we often share in our Storyline workshops is the ‘ Broken Co-worker’ course created by Elearner Engaged. Folks really like the comic book look because it doesn’t look anything like a typical e-learning course." — David Anderson, Director of Customer Training, Articulate

“The ‘Broken Co-worker’ sample course prompts a robust discussion when used in our classroom course on e-learning instructional design. It’s a great example of moving beyond so-called “traditional” e-learning to convey content and ideas in a more innovative and engaging fashion.” — Association for Talent Development (ATD)