Designing Your eLearning

This video walks you through the process of designing eLearning modules in Guroo Pro. You'll learn how to set learning objectives, add and structure content, implement different screen types, and review your modules.

Hi everyone. In this video, we are going to walk through how to create interactive e-learning modules in Guroo Pro. So just to clarify before we begin, academy is our LMS and Pro is our authoring tool. While you can create content on both platforms, academy handles the full learning experience, so that's course delivery, facilitated assessments, and learner tracking. While PRO specializes in interactive e-learning modules.
I currently have a module open in the edit view and layout tab, which is where we'll build our module. However, before you begin building, you must first consider your learning objectives. These define what learners should achieve in the module and guide the content to include and the activities to create. Good learning objectives are actionable and applicable to learners' real world contexts. For instance, in these learning objectives here, instead of saying understand visualization types, you might say choose the right visualization types for different data stories. This tells learners exactly what they'll be able to do by the end of the module.
Once you have your learning objective sorted, you need to consider the module structure. It's best to create some sort of plan or outline before you start building, and this could be a simple document where you map out your key ideas, the order you'll present them, and where activities or assessments will fit. You can do this planning and pro itself here in the outline tab where I've listed the learning objectives, and you can see here how to add text to write out your outline. Alternatively, you can write your outlines in a Word document or whatever tool works for you. Having the structure in place first will save you time as you build and help ensure your content meets your learning objectives and flows logically from start to finish.
Okay, so now let's cover some core E-learning principles that should guide all your design decisions. First modules should be approximately 20 minutes or less in length. Based on what we know about attention spans and effective learning, shorter focused modules are more engaging and more likely to be completed. If your module is pushing past 20 minutes, see if you can split it into two focused modules rather than one overwhelming one.
Present content in different ways. Combining text diagrams, images and activities keeps learners engaged and caters to different learning preferences. Break text into bite-sized chunks. Walls of text are inefficient for learning because they encourage passive scrolling instead of active processing, and when learners are confronted with too much content at once, they become overwhelmed and start skimming rather than actually engaging with the material. As you can see here, we've broken this content about why data storytelling matters up Over four tabs included graphics and icons and news dot points were appropriate.
So let's now look at how to build content in Guroo Pro. In pro, we refer to all media as objects, so this includes text, images, diagrams, questions, flip cards, videos, and attachments. You can add text by clicking on the add button at the bottom of the screen, and we also refer to text boxes as callouts. If you hover over the callout, you can change its style. The styles will change depending on the theme you're using. But for this theme, we have different shades of blue and gray.
Generally, it's good to use plain text for your main content and explanations and reserve colored callouts for emphasis. Things like key takeaways, examples or tips that you wanna stand out from the rest of the content. It's important to have some consistency with these. So as an example in this module, let's use the dark blue style for all questions and reserve this style for questions and transition statements only. That's a nice visual indicator for learners. Similarly, on this screen, we have a few examples on each slide, so let's use the light blue callout style to signify these.
Another object we can add is images, and there are a few ways to do this. If you would like to add an image by itself, you can do so by clicking add object at the bottom of the screen. Then selecting your image. You can resize the image as you see fit on the right hand side and move it above or below the other objects on your screen.
On the other hand, if you'd like to add an image into a callout, you can do so by clicking the image tab in settings on the right hand side. Then selecting an icon diagram or graphic. If you add an image this way it sits within the callout, meaning its position can be adjusted in relation to the text. For instance, you can have it sit to the left or right of the text or above or below the text to make an image fit better next to a callout, you can mask it and crop it into either a square, circular, or rectangular shape.
As you can see, you can add icons, diagrams or graphics. Graphics are great for decoration and visual engagement. They make your module feel polished and appealing, but they can also be visual representations of key concepts. For example, here I've used an image of a storybook to represent the idea of data storytelling. You can download graphics for free from libraries like pixels or Unsplash.
Then we have icons which are great for creating structure and visual shortcuts. You might use icons for signaling recurring elements or as visual labels that help learners distinguish between different concepts. The guroo Pro library has a wide range of icons for you to choose from. So for instance, in this call out, we introduce a key idea and definition. This would be a great call out to insert an icon, perhaps something like a book to represent storytelling.
So let's select this open book icon and then we can change the size and add an icon fill so it stands out and fits well on the screen. Then there are a few questions in this module and we can use icons to signify these. Let's use the question mark icon here and keep it consistent with all questions in the module.
Then on this screen we look at a process that includes six steps. We could write step one, step two, et cetera on each slide or for a bit of visual interest and to better represent the process, we can use numbered icons. Icons serve a dual purpose here. They create visual consistency across the process so learners immediately recognize that they're moving through sequential steps. They also reduce cognitive load by providing a quick visual reference point without adding extra text to read.
Now let's talk about flip cards, which are an interactive way to present content. Instead of just reading information passively, learners have to flip through the cards, which turns passive reading into active engagement. Flip cards are great for definitions, key concepts, quick facts, or an alternative format for bigger dot points.
So let's look at this content here. These dot points are quite long and the space on this screen could be utilized better. So let's try using some flip cards. To do so, you add an object and go to the interactive content tab where you can select flip cards. There are three options for the layout and you can choose for them to feature either an image or icon. Let's select carousel flip cards and choose icons for this example.
Then we can move the heading and introductory sentence to this call out and add an instruction for learners such as click through the flip cards to learn more about these benefits. Then we can add all of this content into the flip cards, so use the bolded text for each of the headings and the rest of the text as the content on the back of the card.
Then we can select an icon to suit each card. So for this card about faster decision making, we could use for example, a light bulb icon. Then for improved persuasiveness, we could use the icon of two people chatting. Then on the right hand side, you can change the settings for the front and back of the card. So if we click on card front, we can change the layout of the card and alter the colors. For instance, let's change the icon, fill color to dark blue and the background color to light blue.
Then if you click on card back, you can alter the layout. For instance, you may decide to add icons to the back of the cards as well. To do that, you hover over the card, click the icon, then select the icon you'd like to use. You can also change the text and background colors of the back of the card by selecting from these text and background color dropdown menus.
Now let's look at questions and assessments. In pro, you've got three, three types of questions assessed. Formative and reflective assessed questions are scored, so learners will be marked and can receive a final score at the end of the module. Formative questions still provide correct and incorrect feedback, but they're not scored and reflective questions have no right or wrong answer. They're more about encouraging learners to think and reflect.
Pro is particularly useful for knowledge checks involving multiple choice, true false matching or ordering questions. These can be comprehension or recall questions that reinforce key concepts, identify knowledge gaps and ensure learners have a strong understanding of foundational material before moving forward. All questions are auto graded and learners receive instant feedback, meaning they can gauge their understanding in real time.
So when creating assessments, you first want to set up the scoring. To do so, you can go to the scoring tab in the module settings. Then you can put in the unsuccessful pass and distinction marks. You can also select no scoring if you don't wish to include any assessed questions in your module.
You may also like to include metrics in your module which allow you to tag questions to specific topics or skillset sets to better understand which topics or areas learners are grasping and where they might need improvement. So for example, let's add one metric to test learners foundational understanding of the content. We add the label, then write a description, then input the correct scores.
Then let's add another metric to test learner's practical application of the content and follow the same process. You may choose to make the score and metrics visible to the learner so they can see how they're tracking as they progress through the module, but sometimes it's better to toggle them off so they don't get distracted or swayed by them while completing the module and just see their score at the end. If you wish to keep the score hidden from the learner, make sure to not only toggle it off in the scoring tab of the module settings, but also in the header and footer settings.
Okay, let's go through how to add a question. First, you add an object and let's do an assessed multiple choice question. For this example, example, it's common practice to add a heading, but hide it. Headings can still show for screen readers or Word document versions of modules, so it's always good to add a title even if it's hidden. Then you can format the call out to match the style of the other questions in the module and add in the responses to add more than three options. You can add another just here.
You can also change the results as needed in the results tab in the settings on the right, if you add metrics to your module, you'll be shown additional result settings. Each question should be attributed a score setting and just one of your secondary metric settings as well. Ensure that the results line up, so if you select the green tick in the score, you should also select the green tick in your secondary metric.
Then you can add feedback below each of the responses that will automatically show for learners after they complete the question, and you can toggle off explore feedback in the option tab. In this tab, you can also change the progression of the questions, so a lot of the time we just leave each response in continue progression. However, if your module requires a 100% pass mark or you'd like your learners to answer all questions correctly, you can select the try again, progression for incorrect responses so that learners will not be able to move past the question until they get the right answer.
Reflective questions are created similarly. First, you add an object, then select the question, type from the reflective questions tab and write your question and responses. You may decide to use a different color, call out for reflective questions, or perhaps the same color, but a different icon. In this example, let's keep the styling the same, but use a thought bubble icon instead of the question mark to symbolize reflection. Because reflective questions don't have any right or wrong answers, you can just include one piece of general feedback to show for all responses.
Now, it's worth mentioning that academy is designed for more complex assessments like written submissions, group tasks, and performance-based assessments. These can build really nicely upon the foundational assessments you create in pro, so you might decide to use pros and knowledge checks as formative assessments specific to the modules content that show where learners need to improve before tackling a final summative assessment in Academy.
You can also attach videos, links, and documents directly in pro if they're relevant to specific content within your module. There are a few ways to do this. If the resource relates directly to some specific text, you can hover over the call out, click the paperclip icon, then select a document diagram, link video or other resource. For this example, let's attach a document. You can enter the document name and drag and drop the file. Then add a description of the resource if you'd like. The resource will then be linked at the bottom of the call out.
The second way to add an additional resource is by itself as its own object. The the process is very similar. You click add, then select a document again. Then you enter the document name and drag and drop the file. The resource will then appear as its own object, which can be reordered on the page as necessary.
The third way to add additional resources is in a separate resources tab within the module. So if you go to the flow tab at the top of the screen, there should be a resources section. On the right, we add a screen and let's title it resources. Then when you go into the module, you can click on the resources tab in the top right corner and add links there.
Alternatively, you can link these resources in academy if they're more appropriate there. For instance, if they're related to the course more broadly or need to be accessed alongside other academy features. If you're going to attach additional resources in pro, make sure they directly relate to the modules content and learning objectives.
We looked at progression settings a little with questions, but now let's discuss them in more detail. For text, images and links, you have two main options, auto progression and continue progression. Continue. Progression requires learners to click a continue button before proceeding to the next object. This is your default choice in most cases because it ensures learners are actually reading and engaging with the content before moving on. If I click over into preview mode in this module, you can see what that looks like for learners.
On the other hand, if you set an object to auto progression, the object beneath it will appear at the same time. When learners progress through the module, and again, I'll just click into preview mode to show you what this looks like. This is useful when two objects connect really closely. For instance, these examples discussed in the process of data storytelling relate directly to the call out above, so it makes sense to set the first call out to auto progression. This also works in this instance because the example call outs are short with minimal text, so there's no need to make learners click continue multiple times for content they can comfortably read together.
Minimizing unnecessary clicks creates a smoother, more efficient learning experience, especially when the content naturally belongs in one view. However, you need to be careful here. Setting too many objects to auto progression creates over scrolling, which can lead to cognitive overload, meaning learners will scroll past key points without really engaging with them.
Then there is end progression, which we use for the very last object in a module. From there, you can choose where learners go after they complete the module. If your module is hosted on academy, it's best to select exit as this will take learners back to the academy page.
Now, let's talk about the different screen types. To add a screen, you click the the plus sign below your screens here. Then give it a title. In the top left, you can see there are a few settings that can be changed. You can change the layout of your screen to add visual interest and better fit the content. You can also change the background by clicking on BG color. Then selecting a color from your themes color palette. Alternatively, you may like to add an image as the background. Instead. To do this, you can click image, click the plus sign, then select background. Then click add background, give it a name and drag and drop your image.
You may also like to change the panel style to enhance the design of your module. For instance, a frosted white panel style here gives a cleaner look as another example. This background contains a lot of dark colors, so we could use the tinted dark panel style to match that look. You may also choose to remove the panel and instead just have plain text or call outs. If that suits your module's design, when you add a screen, it will automatically load as a scroll screen.
Scroll screens present all content on one page, and they're best used when you're presenting one to two objects. Scroll screen should be brief because you want to avoid large walls of text or presenting too much information on one. Again, that leads to cognitive overload and learners will Ms. Key points.
You can also change the layout of the screen in the top left here in your module. It's good to have a variety of screen types to boost engagement and interest and ensure content is being presented in the most effective way. Tab, slider and accordion screens are great when a topic contains a lot of text or you've got several concepts that connect closely. For example, in this screen that covers a process for data storytelling. Instead of covering all of the steps and examples on one scroll screen, it's a better learner experience to use a slider screen with one step per slide.
Similarly, this screen is organized by the subtopics under the topic why data storytelling matters with one tab, introducing its importance, the next tab, defining storytelling, and the next tab covering the business benefits. To add another tab, you can just click the add tab button at the top here. Then you can rename the tab by clicking this dropdown on the left. Then rename screen. You can also delete tabs here if you like. If you're working with slider or accordion screens, the button to add additional slides or accordions will be in the same place.
Then we have hotspot screens, which are great for image-based content, particularly when learners need to explore diagrams or graphics. Learners can click on different parts of an image to discover information that's directly related to what they're looking at. I've used a hotspot screen here to display different types of charts and graphs. This works because we can use icons on the hotspots to illustrate each chart and graph visually. Also, because there are eight charts to cover, it's nice to have a display that allows learners to see all the sub screens in advance and avoids clutter with eight tabs or slides squished into a navigation bar.
To add a hotspot screen, you add a new screen and select the hotspot style. Then you can delete the placeholder hotspot up here and add your own background. Then to add hotspots, you click this button at the top here and you can rename it through the same dropdown on the left You can also change the hotspot type depending on the design of your screen. Here. I've used the large icon and label style to illustrate each type of chart. You can also change the hotspot and label color, and it's best to pick something that stands out from the background.
Then we have the rules. If you'd like to include instructions for the learner on how to navigate the hotspot screen. You can toggle on, include instructions. Then write your instructions at the top of the screen. You also have the option to open the first hotspot automatically when learners get to the screen. This can be helpful if there is a particular hotspot you want learners to see first. For instance, if you have an overview introducing the screen's content.
Then there are the progression settings. Linear progression means that every hotspot must be completed in order if no order is necessary. You can select open progression allowing learners to click on any hotspot at any point, though they are still required to look through all of them before progressing to the next screen. The third option for progression is explore interests. This means that learners are not required to click on every hotspot to progress through the module and instead can look at one or two before moving on to the next screen.
Finally, we have conversation screens, which use characters to guide learners through the content. When you add a conversation screen, it will come up with a default character. You can change the character by clicking the character's icon on the top left. Then you can select their posts from the list. You can also change their name here if you like. Then you can add dialogue as an object to create a conversation between the character and learner.
You can reorder the dialogue boxes using these arrows, and if you'd like to add more dialogue boxes into your object, you can do so through the add a conversation dialogue dropdown in the settings. Conversation screens are great for guiding learners through the module or placing them in scenarios. In real world context characters humanize your content and make it feel more concrete and relevant.
As you move through the building process, you may find that a screen needs to be moved or deleted. To do this, you can click the dropdown next to the relevant screen. Then either delete it or or move it above or below. You can also drag the screen to its correct place. If you wish to retrieve a deleted object, you can click the undo button in the top right. Then select the object screen or sub screen to retrieve.
Remember, once you finish building your module, be sure to review it in preview mode. To do this, you can click the I icon at the top here, or in the top right corner. Preview mode lets you see the module from the learner's perspective, which is crucial because what looks fine in edit mode might feel clunky or confusing when you're actually clicking through it.
As you're previewing run through this checklist, does it flow logically? Are all your learning objectives met? Are your questions aligned with those objectives? Do all interactions work as intended? Is the progression set correctly? And finally, if you can get feedback before publishing a fresh pair of eyes can spot things you've missed and give you valuable insight into whether your content is clear and engaging.