Table of Contents

Periodic Table of eLearning

Training isn’t isolated to instructor-led training (ILT) programs and the Elements of Amazing Learning Experiences are just as valid from an elearning perspective.

Attention blog readers: Please note this blog post is from early 2019 when Brian first created the Periodic Table of Amazing Learning Experiences. And because we rarely get things perfect the first time we do them, he’s made some changes since the original post. You can find out about my new and current table of 51 Elements of Amazing Learning Experiences and hear all about it here.


Brian introduced the periodic table of learning. In his post, he discussed this table from an instructor-led training perspective. Training isn’t isolated to instructor-led training (ILT) programs and I thought it might be fun to look at the application of the Elements of Amazing Learning Experiences from as the Period Table of eLearning.

Table

Solid eLearning Elements

Periodic Table of eLearning: SolidsLike all instructional design, we use elements like Word (Wd), Google (Gg), and a lesson plan (Lp) in eLearning design, and that shouldn’t change. Some of the solid elements that are common to live instructor-led training have to be thought of differently when approaching eLearning. Most of our development takes place in element 27 Storyline (St), and you need to be creative if you want to have an interaction that would look like sticky notes (Pi), voting dots (Vd), or a Flipchart (Fc). With sound instructional design and development, it can be done.

Liquid ElementsPeriodic Table of eLearning: Liquids

The liquid portion of this table applies across the board to every type of learning. Yeah, that is a big statement. But here is the rub, the liquid elements take the shape of the vessel into which they are poured. ILT, Virtual ILT, eLearning, performance support, etc.… this portion of the table is critical for all types of training.

Like all training, eLearning needs buy-in from supervisors (Su), benefits from assessment (As) and follow-up (Fu) and sees advantages to programs that include microlearning (Ms), goal setting (Gs), spaced learning (Sl), learning boots (Lb).

Gas-like Elements

Periodic Table of eLearning: Gas

Gas -like elements waft through eLearning differently than they do through a training room. ADDIE (Ad) guides instructional design (Id) for adult learning (Al) and there may be some gamification (Gm), but that is approached carefully because that one can be combustible. Concepts like Venn Diagrams (Vd) can be used in eLearning, but creativity should be used in the approach so it doesn’t seem cheesy.

Radioactive Elements

Like ILT, the radioactive elements should be handled with care in eLearning (eL), which Periodic Table of eLearning: Radioactiveso happens to be element 32. There are several eLearning equivalents to element 5 Lecture (Lc), including a lot of screen text, a long, talking-head video, a long video with no animation, or a course with no interaction.

Role play (Rp) in elearning often takes the form of more limited scenarios that help learners take on a persona and practice a new skill. They are generally more limited in elearning but incredibly valuable.

Many of the other radioactive elements are not applicable to eLearning mainly because of logistics. At least I haven’t come up with ways to include snacks (Sn), table toys (Tt)

Interactive Elements

I see the interactive elements as being leveraged in eLearning similarly to any other training program. Taking your learning experience to social media and discussing it with others who have had it, no matter what media you took it through, is a great way to keep the learning going.

Periodic Table of eLearning: Interactive

Soapbox (Sb) is element 1 on the Periodic Table. Fill out the form to learn more about how to apply this powerful tool to your next presentation.

Articles Similar to Periodic Table of eLearning

Brian Washburn

Using 7Taps with AI for Microlearning

AI is all the rage these days. 7Taps has figured out a way to embed AI into their microlearning platform to make your experience even quicker. It looks like this is the future of AI in learning tools. 7Taps co-founder Kate Udalova shares her insights.

Brian Washburn

Fun with Elearning Design: Hiding Easter Eggs

Planting an Easter Egg (or a dozen Easter Eggs) in your elearning project is next level engagement. Today’s blog post offers a variety of ways you can drop an unexpected, surprise element into your next project.

better learner certificates
Hannah Radant

Better Learner Certificates in Articulate Storyline

Learner certificates often appear at the end of a course to verify and recognize the achievement of a learner. Articulate Storyline has made it very easy to do this by adding a print slide trigger.
Today’s blog post outlines the steps to elevating this print feature to a lightbox slide. It includes how to build it and a downloadable file as well!

adding audio in articulate rise
Erin Clarke

5 Ways to Add Audio in Articulate Rise

What is one way to make Articulate Rise more engaging? Audio! Our team took on the challenge of exploring the options, benefits, and limitations in adding audio in Rise.

two phones side by side with wordle and WordEL onscreen
Elearning
Hannah Radant

Create a Wordle in Storyline

Recently I discussed the challenge of developing an interaction in Storyline inspired by Wordle for one of our clients and the issues that we came up related to the learner

Subscribe to Get Updates from Endurance Learning

Brian Washburn, Author

Brian Washburn
CEO & Chief Ideas Guy

Enter your information below and we’ll send you the latest updates from our blog. Thanks for following!

Download the What's Possible in L&D Worksheet

Enter your email below and we’ll send you the PDF of the What’s Possible in L&D Worksheet.

What's possible in L&D

Let's Talk Training!

Brian Washburn

Brian Washburn
CEO & Chief Ideas Guy

Enter your information below and we’ll get back to you soon.

Download the Feedback Lesson Plan

Enter your email below and we’ll send you the lesson plan as a PDF.

feedback lesson plan
MS Word Job Aid Template

Download the Microsoft Word Job Aid Template

Enter your email below and we’ll send you the Word version of this template.

Download the Free Lesson Plan Template!

Enter your email below and we’ll send you a Word document that you can start using today!

free lesson plan template
training materials checklist

Download the Training Materials Checklist

Enter your email below and we’ll send you the PDF of the Training Materials Checklist.

Subscribe to Endurance Learning for updates

Get regular updates from the Endurance Learning team.