Kick-Start Open Enrollment With These Employee Resources
Open enrollment season is coming—and with it, the annual scramble as employees struggle to decode confusing insurance terms and evaluate benefit options. As a learning and development professional, you can do your part to help them make the best choices for themselves and their families—and save your HR team from answering the same questions over and over—by providing everyone with educational resources. The following customizable templates and ready-to-use courses can give you a head start on developing on-demand open enrollment resources. Click on the links below to preview them or skip to the video at the end of the article to learn how to add these examples to your Rise 360 dashboard for editing. Full-Length Courses 1. Understanding Your Health Care Benefits Create a one-stop resource for employees about their plan options using this full-length course template. It includes placeholder sections for medical, vision, dental, life, disability, FSA, HSA, and wellness benefit information—and you can always add your own sections for other perks you offer. 2. Choosing Health Insurance: Traditional vs. High-Deductible Plans (PPO vs. HDHP) For extra support comparing the differences between traditional and high-deductible health plans, this course provides employees with descriptions, advantages, disadvantages, and sample cost-of-care scenarios of each. You can ship the course as is—or customize it with details specific to your plan options. Microlearning Courses 1. A Quick Guide to Open Enrollment A perfect follow-up summary to a live information session, this microlearning template circumvents “open enrollment overload.” Brief, editable text explains what open enrollment is, when it starts and ends, how to make elections, and where employees can find more information. 2. Key Terms for Comparing Health Insurance Plans A must-have resource for open enrollment season, this micro-glossary helps employees understand the terminology health insurers use. That knowledge will allow them to make informed decisions about their health care costs and coverage. 3. Health Insurance Cost-of-Care Scenarios Beyond a list of plan details and definitions, employees need help putting this information in context. What do these costs and benefits actually mean when an employee needs to see a doctor or specialist, get surgery, stay at a hospital, etc.? Make it easy for employees to compare out-of-pocket medical costs for common health care scenarios by filling in this template. How to Use and Customize These Examples If you’re an Articulate 360 subscriber or trialer, you can access and edit all the examples linked throughout this post directly from your Rise 360 dashboard. Simply click Create New, choose Course or Microlearning, and search for and select the template you want to use, as shown in the video below: Wrap-Up Open enrollment is a busy time—but your efforts as a learning and development professional can make a real impact. By developing training resources for employees, you not only make it easy for them to find information and choose the plan that best fits their needs, you also save your HR team time by providing answers to common questions. This frees them up to help employees who need more in-depth support. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest e-learning inspiration and insights directly in your inbox. You can also find us on LinkedIn and Twitter. And if you have questions, please share them in the comments.5 Mental Health Resources You Can Share With Your Learners Today
Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? Individuals aren’t the only ones impacted by mental health challenges—businesses can feel the effects, too. Polling from Gallup indicates that employees with mental health challenges miss four times more work than those who rate their mental health positively. This lost productivity costs the economy some $47.6 billion annually. As an e-learning designer, you can help employees feel supported by providing resources that raise awareness of the importance of mental health and outline helpful tips for improving it. If you’re an Articulate 360 subscriber or trialer, you can get the ball rolling quickly by using the ready-to-use mental health training materials in Rise 360—just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month. Curious what’s available? Check out some of the new releases below. You can learn how to customize these templates for your own company and training needs at the end of this article. 1. Stress Busters Microlearning Course Encourage employees to feel more relaxed with the 9 Simple Stress Busters You Can Do Today microlearning course. Moving through this quick learning exercise reveals proven strategies for relieving stress and activating feel-good endorphins. 2. Breathing Exercises Microlearning Course Anyone feeling tense can benefit from the Melt Away Stress With a 3-Minute Breathing Exercise microlearning course. With each successive swipe through a guided breathing exercise and accompanying graphics, learners will feel more peaceful and serene. 3. Feel Your Feelings Microlearning Course Reinforce the message that it’s OK not to be OK with the Feel Your Feelings microlearning course. This quick activity helps people process difficult emotions by prompting them to name and explore their feelings from a place of compassion and understanding. 4. Get Grounded Microlearning Course Support employees through worry spirals and mental fog with the Escape Anxiety With a 5-Minute Grounding Practice microlearning course. Moving through this 5-minute practice roots learners in the here and now as they engage their senses of taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing. 5. Day-by-Day Challenge Course To offer access to a more in-depth daily challenge, check out the 5-Day Challenge To Improve Mental Health course. Each day, learners can refer to this course, explore a different facet of mental health, and follow simple exercises for putting concepts into practice. Wrap-Up Providing mental health resources as part of your business training is a win-win. Employees have access to support at work, and businesses benefit from employees who are less stressed and anxious. The examples above can help you get started, but the sky’s the limit for how you can use Articulate’s creator tools to achieve your business training objectives. Interested in sharing one of the supportive resources with your team? If you’re an Articulate 360 subscriber or trialer, you can access and edit all the examples linked throughout this post directly fromyour Rise 360 dashboard. Simply click Create New, choose Microlearning and select the template you want to use, as shown in the video below: Looking for even more ready-to-use, customizable mental health content? You'll find those in your Rise 360 dashboard too. Just click Create New, choose Course, and then select Mix & Match Lessons. Here are some relevant topic categories to check out: Stress Management: covers stress management fundamentals, stress and work performance, and strategies to relieve stress. Health and Wellness: includes dealing with difficult emotions and life events, exercise, forming healthy habits, mental health awareness in the workplace, positive psychology fundamentals, and positive psychology in the workplace. Resilience: features content on resilience fundamentals, building career resilience, leadership and resilience, emotional and physical resilience, and thriving through challenges. Be sure to also follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and come back to E-Learning Heroes for more advice on everything related to e-learning. If you have any questions, please share them in the comments.E-Learning Challenges - Complete List!
2024 Challenges E-Learning Game Design: Development & Review #472 Building a Working Prototype for Your E-Learning Game Concept #471 Building E-Learning Games: Concept & Storyboard #470 How I Became an E-Learning Instructional Designer #469 How are You Using Drag-and-Drop Interactions in E-Learning? #468 Creating Immersive Learning Experiences with 360° Images #467 Before-After: Accessibility Makeovers in E-Learning #466 Converting Classroom Activities to Interactive E-Learning #465 How are Course Designers Using Labeled Graphics in E-Learning? #464 How are Designers Using Progressive Disclosure in E-Learning? #463 Moving Beyond E-Learning's Next Button #462 Audio Interviews with E-Learning Challenge Heroes #461 How Are Designers Using Toggle Buttons in E-Learning? #460 Using Photo Mosaics to Design Interactive Stories #459 Creating Roulette & Spinning Wheel Games in E-Learning #458 Mix and Match Your Own E-Learning Challenges #457 How Are Designers Using Phat Fonts in E-Learning? #456 Asking vs. Telling: Creating Interactive E-Learning #455 Using Text, True/False, and Number Variables in E-Learning #454 Using Interactive Dials in E-Learning #453 Show How You're Using AI to Create E-Learning Courses #452 Show Us What's in Your E-Learning Portfolio #451 Using Design Themes to Build Course Starter Templates in E-Learning #450 Using Emphasis Animations to Grab Learners' Attention #449 Using Tabs Interactions in E-Learning #448 Spotlight Masking Effects for Discovery Activities in E-Learning #447 Rotating and Exploring 3D Objects in E-Learning #446 How Can You Use This Motion Path Tip in Your E-Learning Projects? #445 2023 Challenges Using Pantone's 2023 Color of the Year in E-Learning #444 What Are 10 Things You Wish You Knew When Starting Your Career? #443 Using Background Audio & Music in E-Learning #442 Using Variables to Personalize E-Learning Courses #441 From Faux Pas to Fabulous: Fashion Dos and Don'ts #440 Keep It or Trash It: Drag-and-Drop Sorting Activities #439 Share Your E-Learning Portfolios and Interactive Resumes #438 Choose Your Own E-Learning Challenge (2023) #437 Using Graphic Dividers to Add Visual Interest to E-Learning Courses #436 How Do Course Designers Collaborate in E-learning Development? #435 Using Click-to-Reveal Interaction in E-Learning #434 Using Lightbox Slides for Just-In-Time Learning #433 How are Escape Room Games Used in E-Learning #432 Reducing Text and Bullet Points in E-Learning #431 Using Interactive Calculators in E-Learning #430 What Should E-Learning Designers Know About Alt Text? #429 Using Cinemagraphs and Video Backgrounds in E-Learning #428 Making Complex Information Easier to Read with Plain Language #427 Using Learning Journals to Keep Learners Focused & Engaged #425 Transforming Static Content into Interactive E-Learning #424 Creating Interactions with Button Sets in Storyline 360 #423 Using Isometric Shapes to Create Interactions in E-Learning #422 Using True/False Variables in E-Learning #421 Articulate 360: New Features Challenge 2023 #420 Go from Flat to Phat with the Floor, Wall, & Baseboard Technique #419 Using Motion Graphics in E-Learning #418 Share Your E-Learning Accessibility Makeovers #417 How Are E-Learning Designers Using AI to Build Online Training? #416 Chunking Content with Scrolling Panels #415 How Can Designers Use Interactive Videos in E-Learning? #414 Using Lightbox Slides for Performance Support in E-Learning #413 Making Compliance E-Learning Fun and Engaging for Learners #412 How are Course Designers Using Interactive Sliders in E-Learning? #411 Using Webcam Video with Picture-in-Picture to Connect with Learners #410 How Do E-Learning Designers Show Learner Progress? #409 Using Timeline Interactions in E-Learning #408 Using Microlearning in Rise 360 #407 Using Circle Menu Navigation in E-Learning #406 Using Interactive Audio to Enhance Learning & Engagement #405 Using Google Doodles to Inspire E-Learning Activities #404 Using Accordion Interactions in E-Learning (2023) #403 Using Subtle Background Patterns & Textures in E-Learning #402 Using Tabs Interactions in E-Learning (2023) #401 Using TikTok-Style Videos in Online Corporate Training #400 2022 E-Learning Challenges Using Pantone's 2023 Color of the Year in E-Learning #399 Using E-Learning to Show How Things Work #398 Using Monochromatic Color Themes In E-Learning Design #397 Custom Glossary Interactions in E-Learning #396 Share Your E-Learning Certificate of Completion Templates #395 How to Make the Perfect Fruit Smoothie #394 Share Your Tips for Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse this Halloween #393 Using Variables to Create Question-and-Answer Activities #392 How do Course Designers Build Custom Graphics for E-Learning? #391 Custom Bookmarking and Conditional Navigation in E-Learning #390 New Employee Orientation and Onboarding in E-Learning #389 Using Personality and Social Quizzes in E-Learning Design #388 Using Scrolling Panels to Manage Content in E-Learning #387 Using Brutalist Design in E-Learning #386 Showing Interactive Comparisons in E-Learning #385 Using Pictograms to Design Custom E-Learning Characters #384 Project Management Tips for E-Learning Designers #383 Using Pre-Test Activities in E-Learning #382 Mixology and Beverage-Making Classes with E-Learning #381 Simulating Real-World Activities with Drag-and-Drop Interactions #380 Using Virtual Tours and Field Trips in E-Learning #379 Choose Your Own E-Learning Challenge (2022) #378 Quick and Dirty Image Effect for E-Learning Cover Slides #377 Creating E-Learning Templates from Vector Graphics #376 What Should Course Designers Know About xAPI? #375 Zooming and Magnifying Parts of an Image in E-Learning #374 Course Starter Templates Inspired by Restaurant Menus #373 Using Button Sets to Create Interactive Objects in Storyline 360 #372 Using Labeled Graphics to Create Interactive Pictures in E-Learning #371 How Are Course Designers Using Web Objects for Performance Support? #370 Using Interactive Timelines in E-Learning Course Design #369 Using Progress Indicators to Display Learner Status in E-Learning #368 Using Hints to Guide and Challenge Learners #367 Blurred Backgrounds in E-Learning Course Design #366 Using Video in Quizzes and Scenarios #365 E-Learning Podcasts: Audio Interviews with Course Designers #364 Give Your E-Learning Quiz Results Slides a Makeover #363 Using Tabs Interactions in E-Learning (2022) #362 Showing Email, Chat, and Text Messaging Conversations in E-Learning #361 Using Button UI Kits to Jumpstart E-Learning Course Development #360 Design an E-Learning Template or Interaction for Valentine's Day #359 Create a Custom Table of Contents Menu for E-Learning Courses #358 Using Interactive Charts to Present Data, Facts, and Figures in E-Learning #357 Animated Masking and Cutout Effects in E-Learning Design #356 Using Interactive Dials as Draggable Menus in E-Learning #355 2021 E-Learning Challenges How are E-Learning Designer’s Using the Pantone 2022 Color of the Year? #354 Give Your E-Learning Course an Accessibility Makeover #353 Using Timed Activities in E-Learning #352 Using Design Themes to Create Light and Dark E-Learning Templates #351 Using Accordions to Chunk Info and Reduce Cognitive Load in E-Learning #350 Using Click-And-Reveals to Show More Info in E-Learning #349 How to Succeed as an E-Learning Designer or Freelancer #348 Using 3D Models in E-Learning #347 How are Designers Using Anthropomorphic Characters in E-Learning? #346 Using Font Games to Learn About Typography #345 Using Learning Journals in E-Learning #344 Using Interactive Job Aids and Cheat Sheets in E-Learning #343 Interactive Org Charts in E-Learning (2021) #342 Hospitality Training: How to Set a Proper Dinner Table #341 Share Your Go-To E-Learning Interactions #340 Buzzword Bingo Games for E-Learning #339 Design an E-Learning Course Starter Template for the 2020 Olympics #338 Creating Interactive 360° Images in E-Learning #337 Creating Digital Magazines for Online Learning #336 Showing Before and After Comparisons in E-Learning #335 How are Designers Using Random Number Variables in E-Learning? #334 Share Your E-Learning and Instructional Design Portfolios #333 How to Survive Anything: E-Learning Edition #332 Tiny E-Learning: What Can You Design on a 100x100 Slide? #331 Applying Mayer's Principles of Multimedia Learning in E-Learning #330 Using Video Backgrounds in E-Learning #329 Using Drop-Down Menus in E-Learning #328 Using Image Sliders and Galleries in E-Learning #327 Teaching Math Online with E-Learning Activities #326 Choose Your Own Adventure: E-Learning Edition #325 Interactive Listicles: Top 10 E-Learning and Instructional Design Tips #324 Interactive Coloring Book Activities in E-Learning #323 Creating Visual Stories with Interactive Photo Collages #322 Using Drag-and-Drop Interactions in E-Learning #321 Designing Tabs Interactions in E-Learning (2021) #320 Designing Online Fitness Classes and Training Programs #319 Using the Jump-to-Time Trigger in Storyline 360 #318 Using Interactive Audio Soundboards in E-Learning #317 How are Designers Using Lightbox Slides in E-Learning? #316 Using Interactive Timelines to Present Sequenced Information #315 How are Interactive Maps Used in E-Learning Design? #314 E-Learning Icebreakers: Two Truths and a Lie #313 Let the Knuffle Bunny Help You Combine Photos and Illustrations in E-Learning #312 Using Dials and Sliders to Select E-Learning Characters #311 Using Glassmorphism Designs in E-Learning Course Development #310 Creating Interactive Aircraft Passenger Safety Cards #309 2020 E-Learning Challenges Using the Pantone 2021 Color of the Year in E-Learning Design #308 Top 10 Common E-Learning Interactions #307 Customizing Storyline Interactions for Rise 360 Templates #306 Designing Interactive Online Cooking Classes #305 What Do Course Designers Need to Know About Building Accessible E-Learning? #304 Presenting Opposing Lists in E-Learning? #303 Design an Interactive Graphic or E-Learning Template for the Holiday Season #302 How are Course Designers Using Number Variables in E-Learning #301 Creating Interactive Documents with Sliders in E-Learning #300 Converting Static Content Into Interactive E-Learning #299 Using Animation Techniques to Create Countdown Timers in E-Learning #298 Create Interactive Explanations for the 2020 Tour de France #297 Using Hotspots and Invisible Buttons in E-Learning #296 Can You Pass This 1912 Eighth Grade Examination? #295 Showcase Your Family Pets Using Common E-Learning Interactions #294 How to Notify Learners When to Click the Next Button in E-Learning #293 Using Variables to Compare Learner's Answers to an Expert’s Recommendation #292 Using Interactive Checklists and To-Do Lists in E-Learning #291 Using Summary and Conclusion Slides in E-Learning Courses #290 How to Clone Yourself in an Interactive Video Interview #289 Choose Your Own E-Learning Challenge Topic (2020) #288 Using Interactive Tables in E-Learning Design #287 (2020) Using Persuasion in E-Learning: Why Everyone Should Donate Blood #286 Creating Animated Button Styles and Effects in E-Learning #285 What Do Course Designers Need to Know About the ADDIE Model? (2020) #284 Using Labeled Graphics and Interactive Markers in E-Learning #283 Using Slide Numbers and Pagination in E-Learning Courses #282 Give This Government Ethics Training Course a Makeover #281 How are Badges, Awards, and Achievements Used to Gamify E-Learning? #280 How Do Course Designers Gain Learners’ Attention in Online Training? #279 Creating Dynamic E-Learning with Random Number Variables #278 Share Your Instructional Design Quizzes and Learning Activities #277 Screencast and Share Your Favorite E-Learning Challenge Examples #276 Using Educational Animations in E-Learning #275 Rapid Response Training: What You Need to Know About COVID-19 #274 Using Scrolling Panels in E-Learning (2020) #273 Using Tabs Interactions in E-Learning (2020) #272 Using True/False Variables in E-Learning #271 Using Flashcard and Notecard Interactions in E-Learning #270 Using Gate Screens and Modal Boxes in E-Learning #269 Practice Your E-Learning Animation Skills with Help from Rube Goldberg Machines #268 Using Interactive Screenshots to Magnify Important Details in E-Learning #267 E-Learning Podcasts: Audio Interviews with Course Designers #266 Using Tooltips as Microinteractions in E-Learning #265 Designing Camera Simulators to Learn Photography Basics #264 2019 E-Learning Challenges Design an E-Learning Template Using Pantone's 2020 Color of the Year #263 Share Your Force-Filled Star Wars E-Learning Templates and Examples #262 Using Dials to Design Interactive Infographics #261 Using Sliders to Design Interactive Infographics #260 Course Starters: Design an E-Learning Template for the Holiday Season #259 Using Interactive Video Quizzes and Scenarios in E-Learning #258 Mobile-Inspired Course Navigation in E-Learning #257 Using Webcam Video to Create Interactive Lectures #256 Make an E-Learning Game Out of a Mountain #255 Share Your E-Learning Portfolios with Rise 360 #254 Creating Parallax Effects with Interactive Sliders in E-Learning (2019) #253 Using Checklist Interactions in E-Learning (2019) #252 Share Your E-Learning Storyboard Templates #251 How are You Using Text and Images in E-Learning Design? #250 Creating Light and Dark Versions of E-Learning Templates #249 Choose Your Own E-Learning Challenge Extreme Edition #248 Using E-Learning Characters to Engage and Connect with Learners #247 How are Interactive Timelines Used in E-Learning (2019) #246 Designing Custom Quiz Results Slides in E-Learning (2019) #245 Meet the Team and Interactive Org Charts in E-Learning (2019) #244 How Would You Build a Connect Four E-Learning Game? #243 Use Audio, Music, and Sound Effects in E-Learning #242 Soccer Training, Drills, and Examples in E-Learning #241 How are Course Designers Using Crossword Puzzle Games in E-Learning? #240 Online Tennis Training and Instruction with E-Learning #239 Common E-Learning Interactions: Process and Step Graphics #238 Using Interactive Maps in E-Learning #237 Static to Interactive: Transform Infographics into Interactive Graphics #236 Using the Paper Cutout Effect to Design E-Learning Graphics #235 Course Starters: Using Desktop and Office Themed Designs in E-Learning #234 Showing Dialogue and Conversations in E-Learning #233 How are Designers Using 3D Models to Build Interactive E-Learning #232 Interactive Audio: Learn to Play Musical Instruments with E-Learning #231 Course Starters: E-Learning Templates for Leadership Training #230 Reviving the Lost Arts with E-Learning #229 Spot the Difference Games for E-Learning Designers #228 Using Accordion Interactions to Group Related Content in E-Learning #227 Image Zoom and Magnification Techniques in E-Learning #226 E-Learning Games: Snakes and Ladders #225 How are Designers Using Progress Bars in E-Learning? (2019) #224 How are Course Designers Using Text-to-Speech in E-Learning? #223 Using Text Variables to Capture and Display Learner's Name #222 How are Course Designers Using Animated GIFs in E-Learning? #221 Using Web Objects for Performance Support in E-Learning #220 Share An E-Learning Valentine Game, Template, or Interactive Infographic (2019) #219 Quiz: Which E-Learning Character Are You? #218 Share Your E-Learning Game Show Templates and Examples #217 Using Mad Libs to Create E-Learning Word Games #216 Course Starters: E-Learning Templates for Information Technology #215 2018 E-Learning Challenges Using the 2019 Pantone Color of the Year in E-Learning #214 Using Drag-and-Drop for Sequence and Step-by-Step Interactions #213 Course Starters: Academic and Higher Education E-Learning Templates #212 Visual Design Ideas for E-Learning Scenarios #211 Using Interactive Dials and Knobs in E-Learning 2018 #210 Using Jeopardy Games in Online Learning #209 Using Pro-Con Lists in E-Learning to Help Learners Make Better Choices #208 Using FAQ Interactions in E-Learning #207 Using Pre-Test Activities to Tailor Content in E-Learning #206 Using Interactive Sliders in E-Learning 2018 #205 Course Starters: Comic Book Theme E-Learning Templates #204 Can Unboxing Videos Help You Build Better E-Learning? #203 Common E-Learning Interactions: Drag-and-Drop (2018) #202 Using Subtle Animations and Transitions in Your E-Learning Courses #201 How Are You Using Lightbox Slides in E-Learning? #200 Using Tab Navigation to Group Related Content in E-Learning (2018) #199 Designing Escape the Room Puzzle Games in E-Learning #198 Using Badges, Awards, and Achievements in E-Learning Courses #197 Designing Adaptive Learning Paths in E-Learning #196 How Can Learners Choose Their Own Avatars in E-Learning? #195 Designing More Engaging Software Simulations in E-Learning #194 How Are You Using Storyline Blocks in Rise? #193 Using Glossary Interactions in E-Learning #192 Using Interactive Tables to Present Information in E-Learning #191 Designing Interactive Coloring Books for E-Learning #190 Circular Menu Navigation in E-Learning #189 Using Random Number Variables to Create Dynamic E-Learning #188 Top 10 Things You Need Know About E-Learning #187 2017 E-Learning Challenges Design an Interaction to Simulate the Grocery Store Checkout Process #155 Classic Graphic Design Styles and Image Effects in E-Learning #156 Interactive Video Quizzes in E-Learning #157 Storytelling with Animated Text, Images, Sound, and Video in E-Learning #158 Multiple Choice Quiz Makeovers in E-Learning #159 Change Your E-Learning Perspective with Portrait Slide Layouts #160 Creating Device Mockup Templates and Placeholders for E-Learning #161 Share Your Interactive Budgeting Tools, Games, and Financial Calculators #162 Creating Animated Characters in E-Learning #163 Using Drop-Down Navigation Menus in E-Learning Design #164 Custom E-Learning Graphics Using Free Font Icons #165 Record, Edit, and Share Your Own Stock Videos for E-Learning #166 Create a Rotoscoping Animation for Your E-Learning Courses #167 Interactive Office Activities Using Top View Perspective #168 How Are You Using Scrolling Panels in E-Learning? #169 Create and Share Your Own Hand-Crafted Explainer Videos #170 Share Your Course Starter Templates for the Medical and Healthcare Industry #171 E-Learning Noir: Using Only Black and White in Course Design #172 Brain-Training Games, Puzzles, and Exercises in E-Learning #173 Using JavaScript to Create Random Word Generators in E-Learning #174 Record and Share Your Informal Training Videos #175 Using Small Words to Explain How Complex Things Work #176 Tooltips, Hyperlinks, and Explorable Explanations in E-Learning Design #177 Common E-Learning Interactions: Keep It or Toss It Drag-and-Drop #178 Using E-Learning to Teach Foreign Languages #179 Using LEGO Bricks to Design Interactive Lesson Plans in E-Learning #180 Choose Your Own E-Learning Adventure #181 Designing Custom Table of Contents Menus in E-Learning #182 Course Starters: Construction Theme E-Learning Templates #183 Designing Custom Feedback and Results Slides in E-Learning #184 Design an E-Learning Template for the Holiday Season #185 Create an E-Learning Template Using Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year #186 2016 E-Learning Challenges Add a Little Greenery to Your Next Course with Pantone’s Color of the Year #154 Build and Share Your First Rise Course #153 Combining Text and Images in E-Learning #152 Using Interactive Dials and Knobs in E-Learning #151 Animated Countdown Timers in E-Learning #150 Notecard Interactions in E-Learning #149 Checklist Interactions in E-Learning #148 Accordion Interactions in E-Learning #147 Interactive Timelines in E-Learning #146 How to Secure Your Home Like an E-Learning Pro #145 Slide, Drag, and Hover Past Boring Next Buttons #144 E-Learning Röck Band Challenge #143 What Should E-Learning Designers Know About Gagné’s 9 Events of Instruction? #142 What Should E-Learning Designers Know About Bloom's Taxonomy? #141 What Should E-Learning Designers Know About the ADDIE Model? #140 Give These Top E-Learning Templates a Fresh Makeover #139 Audio Interviews: Share Your Tips for Creating Effective E-Learning Portfolios #138 Share Your Classic E-Learning Board Games #137 Deming's Red Bead Experiment #136 Share Your Go-To PowerPoint Design Elements for Course Development #135 Personalize Your E-Learning Courses with Gamification Techniques #134 Share Your Button Starter Kits for E-Learning Designers #133 Using JavaScript and Articulate Storyline #132 Using Blurred Backgrounds in E-Learning #131 Audio Slideshow Storytelling for E-Learning #130 Choose Your Own E-Learning Challenge Topic #129 Preflight Airline Safety Demonstrations for E-Learning #128 Learning Journals in Online Training #127 Multimedia Learning Principles for Course Designers #126 Gamify Your E-Learning with Scratch-Off Cards #125 Skeuomorphism in E-Learning #124 Course Starter Templates for E-Learning #123 Showing Dos and Don’ts in E-Learning #122 E-Learning Memory Game Makeovers #121 SlideShare Your E-Learning Challenges #120 Dress Your E-Learning to the Nines with a Custom Course Player #119 Creating Labeled Graphic Interactions for E-Learning #118 Design an E-Learning Cover Slide with This Visual Design Tip #117 E-Learning for the Food and Beverage Industry #116 Using Sliders to Create Parallax Effects in E-Learning #115 Zooming and Magnifying Images in E-Learning #114 Anthropomorphic Characters in E-Learning #113 Video and Media Players in E-Learning #112 2015 E-Learning Challenges How Can You Use Pantone's Color of the Year 2016 in E-Learning? #111 Awaken Your E-Learning Force #110 How Are You Using Instructional Design Cheat Sheets? #109 Show Your E-Learning Work with Your New and Improved Member Profiles #108 Give Your Course an App-Style Navigation #107 Make E-Learning the Most Important Meal of the Day #106 How Do You Show Dialogue and Conversations in E-Learning? #105 Build and Promote Your E-Learning Voice Over Portfolios #104 Create an Infographic: What Do You Love and Hate About E-Learning #103 Gamify an E-Learning Course #102 Atsumi: A Look Back at E-Learning’s Most Iconic Character #101 Before and After: Showing Visual Comparisons in E-Learning #100 How Are You Using Branching Scenarios in E-Learning? #99 E-Learning Buzzword Bingo Games #98 Toggle, Switch, and Slide Your Way to More Creative E-Learning Buttons #97 Back to School: Education Templates for E-Learning #96 Using Cinemagraphs in E-Learning #95 Video Interviews: Creating Interactive Experiences in E-Learning #94 Grabbing Attention and Motivating Learners in E-Learning #93 Guided Tours and Course Navigation Instructions in E-Learning #92 Get to Know Your E-Learning Community with Two Truths and a Lie #91 Engage Your Learners with Interactive Conversations #90 Animated Button Styles and Hover Effects in E-Learning #89 Interactive Audio: Using Soundboards in E-Learning Courses #88 Take Your E-Learning on a Summer Fakecation #87 Interactive Maps: Where Do You Live? #86 Wireframes and Functional Prototypes in E-Learning #85 Using Image Sliders and Photo Galleries in Online Courses #84 10 Reaction Gifs For Every E-Learning Challenge #83 Show Us How You Create Online Courses #82 Show Us Your Best Ergonomics Training #81 Can You Pass an Eighth-Grade Science Test? #80 Show Us Your Custom Navigation Menus for E-Learning #79 E-Learning Icons: Show and Share Your Favorite Styles #78 Emoji for E-Learning Designers #77 How Are Course Designers Using Educational Animations? #76 E-Learning Games to Improve Punctuation and Grammar #75 Using Toys for Storytelling in E-Learning #74 Design a Cover Slide for the Oddest E-Learning Course Title of the Year #73 Build and Share Your Own E-Learning Stock Image Library #72 Teaching Math Concepts with E-Learning #71 Sweets for the Sweet: Share An E-Learning Valentine #70 Give Your E-Learning Skills a Checkup With This Medical Template Challenge #69 Champion Tips for Designing Football Training #68 Podcast: How Do Instructional Designers Get Things Done? #67 Creative Invoice Designs for Course Designers #66 E-Learning Makeovers: Designing A Unified Template #65 2014 E-Learning Challenges Present Data Using Interactive Charts and Graphs #64 What Can You Do with Pantone’s Color of the Year? #63 How to Survive the E-Learning Holidays #62 Top Tips for E-Learning Freelancers #61 Using Progress Meters in E-Learning #60 E-Learning Games for Kids #59 Digital Magazines and Interactive E-Learning #58 Preventing Workplace Violence: E-Learning Scenarios #57 10 Things Instructional Designers Don’t Like to Hear #56 Zombie Survival Training #55 Rapid Response Training: Ebola Outbreak #54 Create Your Own E-Learning Characters with Pictograms #53 Using Interactive Sliders in E-Learning #52 Font Games and Interactions for E-Learning Designers #51 Flat Design Graphics for E-Learning #50 Using Webcam Video in E-Learning Courses #49 Storyboard Templates for E-Learning #48 Call Center Training in Online Learning #47 Show Us Your E-Learning Portfolio #46 Audio Recording Tips for E-Learning Designers #45 Virtual Tours in Online Training #44 Interactive Org Charts in Online Training #43 Smartphone Video Training for Course Designers #42 Hand-Drawn E-Learning Courses #41 Instructional Design Quizzes #40 Education Podcasts in Online Training #39 Steal This E-Learning Template #38 Spelling Bees and Interactive Vocabulary Quizzes #37 Interactive Step Graphics in E-Learning #36 What’s In Your Course Design Toolkit? #35 Instructional Design Learning Activities #34 Fix Your E-Learning Mistakes #33 Death, Taxes, and E-Learning Mistakes #32 Creative Resume Templates for E-Learning Portfolios #31 What Do E-Learning Designers Really Do? #30 Summary and Resource Slides in Online Courses #29 Top 10 Things Learners Need to Know About Storyline #28 Visual Storytelling with Photo Collages #27 Interactive Screenshots for Online Training #26 Instructional Design Tips That Really Pop #25 Create a Simple E-Learning Game #24 Decision Map to Branching Scenarios #23 Design an Olympic-Themed E-Learning Template #22 Beyond the Basic Drag-and-Drop Interaction #21 Ask Your Learners to Prove They’re Learning with NEXTCHA #20 Screencasts and Software Simulations in Online Training #19 How Are Course Designers Using Characters in E-Learning? #18 Using Interactive Job Aids in E-Learning #17 Creating Custom Drag-and-Drop E-Learning Interactions #16 Create a Radiant Template with Pantone’s Color of the Year #15 Give Your Quiz Results Slides a Makeover #14 2013 E-Learning Challenges Rebuild This Interactive Timeline #13 Transform Infographics Into Interactive Graphics #12 Design a Comic Book Theme for Your E-Learning Course #11 Shoot Your Own E-Learning Background Graphics #10 Design an Ethics Course Template with Clipart #9 Create an E-Learning Template from Clip Art #8 Converting Static Content to Interactive Knowledge Checks #7 Bring This Medical Training Course Back To Life #6 Desktop and Office Theme Designs in E-Learning #5 Flatten Up Your Course Design Skills #4 Gate Screens in Online Courses #3 Show Us Your Best Folder Tabs Interactions #2 Showing Meaningful Comparisons in E-Learning #15 Ways to Use Animated GIFs in Your E-Learning
Animated GIFs—or image files that act like a short video that loops endlessly—are everywhere these days, on social media, in blogs, and even in e-learning courses! That’s right, instructional designers are using these eye-catching multimedia assets to grab their learners’ attention—and you can too. Check out these ideas to get inspiration on how to incorporate animated GIFs in your courses. 1. As Course Header Images If your learners have a ton of courses in their dashboard and you want yours to stand out, try using an animated GIF in the course header, like in this example: Mars Curiosity Rover. It’s a surefire way to get your course noticed. 2. As Attention Getters GIFs are eye-catching. Have you noticed how hard it is to look away even when you’ve already seen the same animation loop 10 times over? That’s what’s so great about them. Their movement naturally draws your learners in and incites them to pay attention. Not convinced? Take a look at this Rise 360 course: Space Travel–Themed Interactive Infographic See how the GIFs draw you in and make you want to click on the interactive parts? I thought so. 3. To Illustrate Key Messages But GIFs can do more than just catch your learners’ eye. They can actually help learners better understand the concepts you’re teaching them. Check out the GIFs in this course, for example: An American’s Guide to Driving in France. See how the GIFs support the key messages? 4. To Lay Out the Steps in a Process If you’re creating a how-to course, you might be tempted to make a video. And that’s definitely one way of doing it! But if people need to replicate the steps one by one, they might need to rewind each step and watch it over and over again. What a pain! Instead of creating a lengthy video or screencast, why not create a GIF of each step, making it easy for people to rewatch the steps as needed, like in this article on how to make coffee? 5. For Comic Relief If the topic of your course is particularly dry, it might be a good idea to work in some humor to make sure your learners don’t fall asleep. GIFs are a great way to do that! However, be careful to not overdo it. A humorous GIF here and there is one thing; peppering every section of your course with them is another.Here's an example that uses humorous GIFs effectively. Another thing to keep in mind with humor is that it’s subjective. Test your course out on a trusted coworker or two and make sure they find the GIFs to be both work-appropriate and funny. The Bottom Line As with anything, it’s important to keep in mind that too much of a good thing is bad. When using animated GIFs, make sure they’re helping and not hindering the learning process. After all, the goal is to get your learners to focus on the content and retain the key messages. If you’re sold on using animated GIFs in your courses but aren’t sure how to go about creating your own, check out this tutorial. Like this article? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest e-learning inspiration and insights directly in your inbox. You can also find us on LinkedIn and X (Formerly Twitter).7 Most Popular Storyline 360 Examples & Downloads of 2023
E-Learning Heroes Community is the perfect place to get inspired by examples from both our amazing community members and our Articulate staff members. Below are the top seven Storyline 360 examples from 2023. 1. Storyline Comics Style Communication: Branched Scenario See how you can use interactive storytelling elements and branching techniques to teach learners the skills they need in this cool example. 2. Power of Self-Motivation Scrolling Experience Check out this completely unique interactive example that engages learners right from the start. 3. Office Safety Training Template Want to teach workplace safety in a memorable and interactive way? Check outthis downloadable template to help kickstart your project. 4. Interactive Storytelling Template Learn how to leverage storytelling in Storyline 360 to help your learners apply their skills in a real-life scenario with this inspiring example. 5. Room Exploration Interaction Template Make searching an office, home, warehouse, store, or any other 2D environment feel more cinematic with this downloadable interaction. With the help of hotspots, triggers, and layers, learners can use the on-screen flashlight to help them discover clues. 6. Reset Drag-and-Drop Incorrect Choices Template Ever wanted to reset only the incorrect drag choices in Storyline 360? Use this starter template and supporting video tutorial to learn how to reset your own drag-and-drop interactions. 7. Employee Health and Wellness Check out this stunning example to see some of the immersive and custom learning experiences you can create with Storyline 360. Wrap-Up We hope these examples inspire you as you work on your next e-learning projects! Did we miss any of your favorites? Be sure to let us know in the comments below. You can view more article recaps from 2023 by checking out our latest compilation of articles here: All the Best E-Learning Heroes Content from 2023 in One Place. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest e-learning inspiration and insights directly in your inbox. You can also find us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). And if you have questions, please share them in the comments.8 Business Use Cases for Microlearning
Are you excited to try out microlearning, but unsure when to use it? Below, we outline eight common workplace situations that benefit from a short-form course. Each situation includes a sample microlearning. At the end, learn how you can customize these templates for your own company and training needs. 1. Create Organizational Alignment To hit a business target, everyone needs to be moving in the same direction. Creating that alignment starts with clear, frequent communication of the shared mission, vision, and values. Microlearning can help. The following editable template shows how you can align employees through regular executive “micro” updates: Executive Update 2. Highlight HR Information, Notices, or Reminders Educating employees about annual events like open enrollment, tax season, and compliance training is a critical function of HR teams. The problem? Important announcements often get missed when they’re embedded in long paragraphs or endless emails. Grab the following templates to see how microlearning makes HR communications more digestible and engaging: A Quick Guide To Open Enrollment Internal Company Newsletter 3. Strengthen Company Culture and DEI Initiatives Fostering an inclusive company culture is a continuous process—not a one-time effort. A series of microlearnings can support your larger culture-building and DEI efforts. Check out the following examples for ideas on how to get started: Are You an Ally? Try Taking on These 5 Roles How To Identify and Stop Using Ableist Language Gossip-Proof Your Workplace 4. Streamline Business Processes You can also use microlearning to document and streamline business processes or workflows—such as employee onboarding or performance management. Notice how the following examples make it easy for employees to work through the steps of a process independently: New Hire Pre-Hire Checklist Performance Review and Feedback 5. Increase Security Awareness Most successful data breaches, phishing attacks, and other cybersecurity incidents are caused by human error. Adding refresher microlearnings throughout the year can fortify your defenses. See an example for safeguarding against phishing attacks below: Spot the Phish 6. Enhance Employee Wellness A successful business needs thriving employees. But employee wellness training often ends up buried under competing priorities. Microlearning makes it easy for employees to fit in short breaks for self-care throughout the workday. Check out these two wellness-related microlearning examples: 3 Desk Stretches to Instantly Improve Your Day 5 Tips for Better Naps 7. Provide Quick-Reference Guides Microlearning is the perfect resource for one-off training questions: Employees can quickly find the answers they need—when they need them. Below, we’ve created templates for product and software training. But you could easily create quick-reference guides for sales, customer service, and other teams. Get To Know [Name of Product] Software Training 8. Reinforce and Assess Key Takeaways Finally, who says you have to choose between a more sizable course and microlearning? Repetition aids retention. Consider following up longer training sessions with a microlearning quiz, scenario, or summary. The examples listed below demonstrate how you might do this: Can You Recover From a Workplace Mistake? Training Refresher Wrap-Up There’s no shortage of creative ways you can use microlearning to achieve your business training objectives. The examples above are just a starter list. You might also check out submissions to one of our weekly community challenges, 40+ Microlearning Examples Created in Rise 360 #407. Interested in customizing one of these examples for your team? If you’re an Articulate 360 subscriber or trialer, you can edit all of the examples linked throughout this post by choosing the course from our Rise 360 microlearning content templates. Here’s a short video showing how to do that: What’s the latest microlearning course you’ve created? Tell us about it in the comments—and feel free to ask any questions you might have! Like this article? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest e-learning inspiration and insights directly in your inbox. You can also find us on LinkedIn and Twitter.Using Interactive Calculators in E-Learning #430
Financial Calculators in E-Learning#430: Challenge | Recap Using variables to capture and display a learner’s name is one of the most common ways to practice working with text variables. When you’re learning number variables, there’s no better way to work with basic operations than to build a simple calculator. With Storyline variables, you can easily build simple or complex equations right into your project. And that’s what this week’s challenge is all about! Calculator Example Check out David Charney’s calculator, which lets learners perform math and calculations right in your project. View the example | Download Square Root Calculator Check out three ways to calculate square roots in Storyline in this dynamic example by Alphonso Hendricks. View the example | Download Simple Calculator Go old school with a classic example by Dave Mozealous. It’s the first fully-functional calculator created in Storyline, and shows you that the sky’s the limit with variables! View the example | Download Resources Storyline 360: Working with Variables Storyline 360: Adding Variable References Storyline: What "Object Loses Focus" Means E-Learning Challenges Use Learner's Name in E-Learning Course #222: Challenge | Recap Using True/False Variables in E-Learning #271: Challenge | Recap Using Variables to Compare Learner's Answers #292: Challenge | Recap Random Number Variables in E-Learning #278: Challenge | Recap On-Demand Training Getting Started with Variables in Storyline 360 Using Number Variables in Storyline 360 Challenge of the Week This week, your challenge is to build a simple calculator that can be used in e-learning. New to variables? Try starting with one of the free calculator templates below. Depending on your comfort level, you can redesign one of the calculator templates or use it as a guide for creating your example. Comfortable working with variables? Try adding multiple variables, sliders, and interactive elements to create a more advanced calculator. Share Your E-Learning Work Comments: Use the comments section below to link your published example and blog post. Forums: Start a new thread and share a link to your published example. Personal blog: If you have a blog, please consider writing about your challenges. We'll link to your posts so your great work gets even more exposure. Social media: If you share your demos on Twitter or LinkedIn, try using #ELHChallenge so your tweeps can follow your e-learning coolness. Last Week’s Challenge: Before you budget time for this week’s challenge, check out the alt text examples your fellow community members shared over the past week: Using Alt Text in E-Learning RECAP #429: Challenge | Recap New to the E-Learning Challenges? The weekly e-learning challenges are ongoing opportunities to learn, share, and build your e-learning portfolios. You can jump into any or all of the previous challengesanytime you want. I’ll update the recap posts to include your demos. Learn more about the challenges in this Q&A post and why and how to participate in this helpful article. Next Week’s Challenge Next week's challenge (9/8/23): Bullet Point Makeovers or Making Bullet Points More Engaging. Got an idea for a challenge? Are you interested in doing a webinar showcasing how you made one or more challenge demos? Or do you have some comments for your humble challenge host? Use this anonymous form to share your feedback:https://bit.ly/ElearningChallengeForm.Show How You're Using AI to Create E-Learning Courses #452
Using AI in E-Learning Design #452: Challenge | Recap When it comes to e-learning,today's authoring appsmake it easier than ever to build interactive training. But here's the thing, even with today's modern apps and rich feature sets, building great learning experiences still takes time and expertise. You've got to juggle mastering new content, nailing the visual design, and doing it all under tight or unrealistic deadlines. Sounds familiar, right? Now, this is where AI apps can be game changers by helping you do more with less. So, whether you'regenerating quiz questions and feedback,animating characters, or transformingtext into captivating images,there's likely an AI-based app that can help speed up production. And that's what this week's challenge is all about. Challenge of the Week This week, your challenge is to share an example that shows how AI can be used to create e-learning. When you post your example, please briefly describe the app(s) you used to create your demo. ✨ Share Your E-Learning Work Comments: Use the comments section below to link your published example and blog post. Forums: Start a new thread and share a link to your published example. Personal blog: If you have a blog, please consider writing about your challenges. We'll link to your posts so your great work gets even more exposure. Social media: If you share your demos on Twitter or LinkedIn, try using #ELHChallenge so your tweeps can follow your e-learning coolness. 🙌 Last Week’s Challenge: Before you add your new AI demo to your e-learning resume, check out the creative portfolio ideas your fellow challengers shared over the past week: E-Learning Portfolios for 2024 RECAP #451: Challenge | Recap 👋 New to the E-Learning Challenges? The weekly e-learning challenges are ongoing opportunities to learn, share, and build your e-learning portfolios. You can jump into any or all of the previous challengesanytime you want. I’ll update the recap posts to include your demos. Learn more about the challenges in this Q&A post and why and how to participate in this helpful article. 📅 Next Week’s Challenge Challenge #453(03.08): Using dials in e-learning. If you're new to dials, you should check out next week'sdials webinarto get an overview of dials and how they work. Challenge #454(03.15): Using variables in e-learning. This variables challenge will be different because you'll be asked to share a demo that uses all three variables. 🚨 Contact Information Just a quick heads up – if you want your blog, website, or LinkedIn included in our recap posts, could you do me a favor and add or update those links onto your ELH profile sometime this week? I found some broken links last week when I pulled the recap together. You spend a lot of time building creative examples, and your work deserves all the attention it can get. If you make changes, please let me know in the comments below. Thanks!How I Made This Digital Board Game in Storyline 360
When a company needed to quickly pivot its in-person board game to an online digital version, Storyline 360 came to the rescue. And the result won DemoFest’s Best in Show: Vendor award at Learning Solutions 2023! In this behind-the-scenes project tour from creator Kai Dean, you’ll discover creative ways to use Storyline 360 features—like dials, question banks, states, triggers, and variables—to replicate common aspects of board games. If you want to play the game, check it out here. Want to try creating something similar in Storyline 360, but don’t have Articulate 360? Start a free 30-day trial. And subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest e-learning examples.Honor AAPI Heritage Month With These Free Resources
Research shows that a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion helps organizations adapt better to challenges–and makes them more likely to innovate. With more change than ever happening in and around the workplace, diversity-focused training can help boost outcomes, improve agility, and make your organization a better place to work. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, making it a great opportunity to affirm your commitment to diversity. This spring, we’re bringing you content that you can use to grow your team’s cultural awareness, collaborative skills, and ability to innovate. We hope this content will spark curiosity and encourage larger conversations that lead to more emotional and creative intelligence among your employees. 1. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (full-length course) Use this course to educate your team and expand their cultural knowledge, opening up more avenues for collaboration and creativity. Teams will get a simple introduction to AAPI history, meet leaders in art, food, science, and other major industries, and explore accessible ways they can honor AAPI Heritage Month. 2. 9 Ways To Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month (microlearning course) Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to diversity and bring your team together for a good cause. This microlearning summarizes nine easy ways you can celebrate as a team–and encourages employees to grow their own knowledge individually, too. 3. From Draves to Kim: A Celebration of AAPI Athletes (microlearning course) Want a quick, engaging way to inspire and motivate your team? Set them up for success with this simple, accessible microlearning. Employees will meet snowboarder Chloe Kim, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and Vicki Draves, the first Asian American to win an Olympic medal and the first woman to ever sweep the diving events. Wrap-Up Packed with timely, engaging content, these resources can help improve your team culture, leading to even better collaboration and innovation. Add them to your e-learning strategy and watch as your team grows stronger and more agile. Remember, with an Articulate 360 subscription you can also tailor this content to best fit your audience and your organization–consider, for example, adding quotes and stories from AAPI figures in your field. To share and customize these resources, go to your Rise 360 dashboard, click +Create New, and select the course you want to use. Need other courses for your diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts? There are plenty of other options to choose from in the Content Library, including: Power and Pride: The Origins of Pride Month What Is Black History Month? Diversity Basics: Taking Action Honoring Herstory During Women’s History Month Want to try something you learned here, but don’t have Articulate 360? Start a free 30-day trial. And subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest product updates, e-learning examples, and expert advice sent directly to your inbox. If you have questions, please share them in the comments.
