Content Library Slides

Recently, we received a question about the amazing templates in Content Library. The person was wondering what learning or instructional design theory the templates in Content Library were based upon. Great question! The answer is actually pretty simple: we didn’t use any particular learning theory. Rather, our goal is to provide common template types that you can leverage for whatever your preferred course design (or learning theory) approach might be.

For example, the slides work well for a simple, linear approach. You’ll notice that the templates include the types of layouts that you’d most commonly see in a linear course model. You have your course openers (Titles, Main Menus, Objectives), your content layouts (50/50, Lists, Infographics), your quizzes (Multiple Choice, Drag-and-Drops), and your closers (Summary, Exit). If you need to put together a quick, linear course, it doesn’t get much easier than downloading a template set and populating it with your content.

Content Library Slides

However, as you begin to move beyond a linear course model, you might wonder how you can leverage Content Library templates to create learning that applies to a particular design approach that we use at our school, business, college, etc. This is where the templates really shine in their flexibility. Let’s take a look at a good example.

Say your organization focuses on utilizing Gagne’s event model of instruction (if you’re not familiar with Gagne’s model, Articulate’s very own Allison LaMotte wrote a fantastic article where she shares how to apply Gagne’s model to e-learning with some great examples). No problem, you can totally leverage Content Library. Using Gagne’s Event and Method(s) approach, I quickly laid out an example of how you can use the Content Library templates:

Event 01: Grab the Learner’s Attention

Methods: Pose a thought-provoking question, Show a short, fast-paced video

Templates: Major Point Layout, Media Layout

Event 02: Explain the Objectives

Method: Present the objectives as statements

Templates: Objectives Layout, List Layout

Event 03: Help Learners See the Relationship Between the Content and What They Already Know

Method: Quiz them on prior knowledge

Template: Multiple Choice Quiz Layouts

Event 04: Present the Content

Methods: Video, Audio, etc.

Templates: 50/50, 60/40, Media, Timeline, etc.

Event 05: Guide Learners Through the Course

Methods: Provide examples, Include on-screen instructions

Templates: Major Point, Content Layouts  

Event 06: Give Learners the Opportunity to Practice

Methods: Create simulations, Design decision-making scenarios

Templates: Scenario Templates for Soft Skills, Drag-and-Drop for Categorization, etc.

Event 07: Provide Learners with Feedback

Methods: Branch, Remedial feedback

Templates: Multiple template designs such as scenarios and multiple-choice slides have feedback layers triggered by user response

Event 08: Assess Learner Performance

Methods: Pretest, Post-Test, Embed questions throughout instruction

Templates: Multiple Choice Questions, Drag-and-Drops, etc.

Event 09: Help Learners Retain Information and Transfer Skills to Their Job

Methods: Create short review quizzes, Give learners ways to practice later

Templates: This is more of a post-course assessment process that could utilize any number of templates such as scenarios, content layouts, and quiz questions

The reality is that it only took me a few minutes to put together this list (with thanks to Allison for providing the ready-to-go structure) and identify the Content Library templates I could leverage to support Gagne’s design. And you could do the same for a variety of other models. Remember, you’ve got the expertise and skills to design amazing courses and we don’t want to limit you by adhering to one particular design model. Our goal with Content Library is to help get you started with a variety of templates that you can apply to your theory of choice while speeding up your development time. So give it a go!

If you’d like to take a closer look at the Content Library templates, I’d like to invite you to peruse them at 360.articulate.com. You can access them via Storyline, Quizmaker, and Presenter when you subscribe to Articulate 360. Click here to start a free 30-day trial.

 

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