7 design trends on e-Learning

Sep 2017 • 6 min read

I recently did some research on the e-Learning space and realised there wasn’t a lot of explicit information available about current and future design trends in this space, so I decided to compile my key takeaways from various examples I stumbled upon.

Starting with the premise that any e-Learning platform should make learning easy, so the students can focus on the content (which is what matters the most to them), and the fact that the pace of our lives today influences when and how we learn; it’s easy to distill that the interface should act as a real learning facilitator and be adaptable to any learning “space”.

Taking this into account, I’ve clustered interesting characteristics and best practices from the best e-Learning platforms I’ve found:

1. Playful

An ongoing trend has been about gamifying the learning experience, with the use of motivational elements and engaging design to make learning playful, and for good reason: when challenges are presented in the form of games, or by using game elements (such as points and badges), it boosts engagement and increases healthy competition between students.

When it comes to making learning fun, Duolingo is a good example, where the user can propose a challenge to a friend and earn Lingots, the in-game currency. In the DIY platform, kids get a new skill patch after the completion of each level.

Barclays Code Playground is another good example of a playful and interactive interface, where coding is presented in the form of a game itself.

2. Goal-driven

The use of motivation triggers and a cheerful tone of voice help to keep students engaged, because it taps into their aspirations. Examples such as friendly reminders and progress bars (where users can check their current position and how far they need to go), are one of the mechanics that make games so addictive. Humans like to progress from level to level.

Hero moments that celebrate achievement (with motion UI playing an important role) provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, making the experience more human.

In some cases the students may want to share their points and badges on social media, which in turn is instant marketing for the platform.

3. Light and simple

Uncluttered interfaces are key to a smooth experience. This can be achieved by efficient use of space, and clean layouts. The use of cards as a UI element is a ‘trend’ that has been going on for a while; it’s proven to be an effective element when used as content containers to cluster information (this enables key information to be visible at-a-glance, while a second layer of content is still accessible, but contextual) — so users only see what they need when it’s needed.

Clear hierarchy, feedback and reassurance (confirmation screens, call-to-actions, and visual cues for errors and notifications) contribute to a seamless interaction flow.

Consistency and predictability make the user feel at easy and in control.

4. Flexible and digestible

A big part of making learning easy comes from how the content is structured, which can contribute to a personalized learning experience, driven by self service.

Courses that are modular and shaped as bite-sized lessons, give the users autonomy to create their own learning path (consuming content at their own pace, or in no particular order).

Easy learning also comes from the way content is presented: easy-to-scan layouts, with small chunks of text and a brief description of what the student is about to learn, and how much time they need to invest in it, go a long way.

Infographics are another way of visualising information to quickly grasp a concept. As examples, Duolingo often represents a complex lesson plan visually, or in the case of Google Primer, a lesson’s recap for a summary of the key learnings of a module. These features contribute to higher knowledge retention.

5. Omnipresent and social

The experience shouldn’t be confined to the platform and it doesn’t end when a student completes a set of lessons, it should be an ongoing dialogue. Follow-up messages with tips, resources, or updates, help to keep momentum and build trust (tone of voice again, is an important aspect, to make users feel they speak the “same language”).

Learning on the go is crucial and not a “nice to have” anymore. Multi-device design and offline content are a must, since mobile browsing is a constant in our lives. It makes learning convenient, users can manage their time and chose where and when they want to practice.

The social aspect is also a trend: students like to share knowledge with friends or join clubs and groups. This can also be done by integrating social media within e-Learning, seamlessly extending the learning experience beyond the main channel.

6. Diligent

Diligent interfaces reduce complexity, help to mitigate technical issues, anticipate needs, and provide timely support.

A robust help section, an effective chatbot, an on-boarding tour (useful to introduce a new tool, or explain key features), a quick and simple sign-in process (yes, one single click please!), or a smart search functionality that allows users to find content in a logical manner (by lessons or topics) — are all proactive ways of promoting a confident interaction and causing a good first impression.

7. Bold and courageous

Look & feel (aka visual language and IxD), can make an impact in the way students perceive education. A well designed landing page for instance, becomes an important point of reference for browsing.

Good use of negative space is vital since it reduces cognitive overload, works as a visual relief, and it’s proven to improve learning efficiency. Bold colours and typography are also a trend, and custom illustrations convey the message in a more thoughtful way than stock photography; they also add character and personality to the UI and improve brand image.

Forecasts demonstrate that the virtual learning market will be booming in the next years. These platforms should promote an autonomous learning process, be engaging, dynamic, and accessible.

The interface must enable new ways of learning, by doing and creating; while moving away from a sequential, static system, to provide better learning journeys.

Originally published on .dsgnrs. Medium publication.