Creating a Useful Storyboard

I looked for a definition of a storyboard and I think this was the best I could find.
A storyboard is a map that guides the eLearning designer through every turn and twist of their modlette design.

A map.

We all need a map when we go on a journey, and eLearning is a journey.  But first you must know where you are going.

You have been asked by a line manager to create a training course to help her people become more confident in asking customers’ questions during sales presentations.  You need to know a number of things from this line manager about the following:

  • What do they do now?
  • What do you want them to do?
  • What do they currently know?
  • Will this need an attitude change?

I find the best way to record this information is using a mindmap (https://www.mindmaps.com/what-is-mind-mapping).

Once you have this information you will have a clear idea of your goals.  Why are you creating this modlette?  What are your learning goals?  What are the desired results?  The answers will guide the whole storyboarding process. The information in your mindmap will also help you to know your target audience.

You are now ready to write some content for each of your learning objectives.  Writing content for each of your objectives will help you keep your eLearning storyboard flow naturally and your learners focused.

To support your eLearning objectives, you need to define the right use of the elements of your modlette layout.  Break your content into chunks which will fit conveniently into the six media options in the modlette design.  These will be depicted in your storyboard.  Then decide about the sequence your eLearning content is going to be presented to your learners.  The more natural is the order flow of your content, the more effective your modlette will be.  Think of what topics or units should come before or after others and arrange accordingly in your storyboard.  Although titles will not always appear on the final modlette, they will help you organise content more easily.

There are many free storyboard templates out there, so the only thing you need to do is decide whether you want to use Word, PowerPoint, or a commercial application.  We also have a storyboard template in our eBook “Make My Modlettes Amazing”.

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