From Concept to Course: Design Thinking in eLearning Development
Applying Design Thinking to Create Learner-Centric Courses
Design thinking is a user-centered approach to creating solutions that truly meet the needs of learners.
It emphasizes understanding the learner, their environment, and the challenges they face before designing a solution. At its core, design thinking is a logical process for content creation, often framed around:
Problem → Solution
Design → Solution
It encourages questioning assumptions about the world, applying qualitative research methods, and iterating to create solutions that are not only innovative but also practical and effective.
Much like Cathy Moore’s workflow for eLearning, design thinking starts with a deep understanding of the problem and mission before jumping into solutions. Key questions to consider include:
What is the mission or purpose of the course?
What problem does it aim to solve?
What are the learning objectives and ROI?
What insights does your analysis reveal?
When applied effectively, design thinking does more than produce visually appealing courses—it helps you develop eLearning content that solves real-world challenges and enhances learner experience.
Whether you are new to eLearning development or looking for ways to refine your process, applying design thinking principles can make your courses more effective, engaging, and learner-centric. Below, we explore six principles of design thinking that can help you elevate your eLearning development.
Design Thinking: A Step-by-Step Guide for eLearning
Understand the Challenges
Before diving into storyboarding, content design, or course development, start by identifying the real-life challenges your eLearning course aims to address.
Engage with key stakeholders, subject matter experts, and learners to determine:
What skills must be taught?
What knowledge gaps exist?
Which challenges need to be resolved through training?
Understanding the problem thoroughly ensures that your eLearning course is relevant, practical, and learner-focused.
Analyze the Problem and Explore Solutions
Once the challenges are clear, investigate why the problem exists and how it can be addressed. Conduct interviews or surveys to determine if the issue is:
Knowledge-based
Learner-centered
Caused by a lack of support, resources, or guidance
Identify both the root cause and potential solutions. This step ensures your eLearning course tackles the right problem, rather than just symptoms.
Promote Learner-Centric & Social Learning Approaches
Engage all project participants through collaborative activities to generate insights and ideas:
Brainstorming sessions
Surveys and assessments
User-generated content (UGC)
Focus groups or workgroup discussions
These activities allow learners and stakeholders to contribute to the design, making the course more relevant, interactive, and aligned with real-world needs.
Once objectives are set, create a simple, adaptable prototype that includes the core elements of the final eLearning course. Leave room for feedback and iterative improvements during development.
Test and Collect Feedback
Plan your testing phases early in the project lifecycle. Conduct:
A soft launch or pilot test
Post-launch evaluations and feedback rounds
Feedback is essential for refining your course. Constructive input ensures your eLearning solution evolves to meet learners’ needs and expectations.
Applying Design Thinking to eLearning
Design thinking helps you focus on the needs of learners, the training objectives, and the organization’s learning culture. Ask yourself:
Do I fully understand the problem?
What needs to be designed to address it?
How can this improve the overall learning experience?
Which tools and techniques will support the course design effectively?
By prioritizing the problem rather than rushing to a solution, design thinking allows for more effective, user-centered eLearning solutions that are both practical and engaging.
Stages to Create Learner-Centered eLearning
Identify the Problem
Begin by deeply understanding the problem and the needs of your learners. Ask questions like:
What is the core issue that needs to be resolved?
What skills or knowledge do learners need?
Who are the learner personas?
How do learners prefer to learn?
Why do learners want to engage with this content?
A strong foundation in understanding ensures your eLearning course addresses real challenges and creates meaningful learning experiences.
Research & Observe
Observation is key to uncovering insights and validating assumptions. Engage in activities such as:
Communicating with learners and stakeholders
Exchanging ideas and sharing experiences
Listening carefully to feedback and challenges
Asking questions to clarify needs and expectations
Observation helps you see beyond assumptions and design a course that truly meets learner needs.
Define the Perspective
Translate your observations into actionable insights and a clear vision for the course. This stage involves:
Building realistic scenarios based on learner needs
Designing storyboards for course flow and structure
Scripting learning journeys and planning content delivery
Crafting narratives that make the learning experience engaging and relevant
A well-defined point of view ensures your course design is purposeful and learner-centered.
Concept & Prototype
Generate ideas and create early versions of your eLearning content. Focus on:
Being creative, innovative, and different
Designing experiences that surprise, connect emotionally, and inspire learners
Building prototypes or mini-modules that illustrate your ideas
Encouraging passion and engagement through imaginative content
Prototyping allows you to explore possibilities before committing to full development.
Prototype Testing
Testing is critical for refining and improving your eLearning course:
Test your prototype with real learners
Collect feedback, analyze results, and identify areas for improvement
Iterate repeatedly to enhance both learning outcomes and engagement
Testing ensures your final course is polished, effective, and truly learner-focused.
The Right eLearning Platform: Hybrid LMS / LXP
Choosing the right eLearning platform is essential for creating engaging, learner-centered experiences.
Our Hybrid Learning Lab solution combines the capabilities of a traditional Learning Management System (LMS) with a modern Learning Experience Platform (LXP), giving you the flexibility to deliver content in multiple ways while tracking learning outcomes.
Key Features of a Hybrid LMS / LXP
Our platform enables learners to consume content across a variety of formats and channels, including:
Videos, podcasts, and webinars
Articles, blog posts, and social media feeds
External web resources
A hybrid LMS / LXP allows organizations to manage the entire learning journey in one interface, from onboarding to skill development and ongoing performance support.
Benefits for Learners and Organizations
Social learning and discussion forums: Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Personalized learning paths: Tailor experiences based on individual learner preferences.
Learning on demand: Give learners access to content whenever and wherever they need it.
Support for all media types: Video, audio, interactive content, and written resources.
Blended learning capabilities: Combine online, in-person, and collaborative learning seamlessly.
With The Learning Lab platform, you can manage curriculum, track learner progress, and enhance overall learning performance—all from a single, unified system.
The Learning Lab: A Powerful Hybrid Solution (LMS / LXP)
If you’re unsure whether an LMS or an LXP is the right fit for your organization, a hybrid solution like the Learning Lab may be the perfect choice.
By combining the strengths of both platforms, it delivers a flexible and engaging learning experience for all types of learners.
Key Benefits:
Collaboration: Enable learners to connect, share insights, and work together effectively.
Cooperation: Support team-based learning and group projects to enhance skill application.
Idea Sharing: Foster innovation by encouraging learners to contribute and exchange ideas.
Information & Knowledge Management: Centralize learning resources for easy access and continuous development.
A hybrid LMS / LXP like The Learning Lab empowers organizations to blend structured learning with social and personalized experiences, ensuring learners get the right content, at the right time, in the right format.
Conclusion: Design Thinking in eLearning Development
Design thinking is a versatile approach that can be applied to virtually any learning challenge or project.
By examining problems from multiple perspectives, teams can uncover insights that might otherwise be overlooked.
To maximize its impact, involve a multidisciplinary team—bringing together individuals with diverse expertise and experiences. This ensures a broader range of ideas, innovative solutions, and well-rounded learning experiences.
Ultimately, using design thinking in eLearning development helps create learner-centered, effective, and engaging courses that truly address real-world needs.