Clear & Simple Navigation for e-Learning Modules
To create clear and simple e-learning navigation, follow these best practices:
1. Offer a course navigation tour
Provide a brief explanation within the first few slides of your course, such as textboxes with instructions or arrows pointing out buttons learners need to click to advance. If there are help buttons, exit the course, or glossaries, point them out as well. Make the navigation tour optional, but make sure it's readily available for learners who need extra help.
2. Provide one clear way forward
Eliminate redundant navigational elements, such as a Next button and a Continue button, and keep that navigation consistent throughout the course. This reduces frustration and avoids "What do I do next?" moments.
3. Be consistent with layout and placement
A clear and consistent navigation layout helps learners make quick decisions about where to go next in your course. Use the player's built-in navigation controls or the slide master for buttons and links that appear across multiple slides to ensure elements don't move around from one slide to the next.
4. Use short and descriptive titles
Content is easier to digest when presented in short, direct messages that don't need to be deciphered. Label navigation icons and links clearly and use action verbs to indicate what the user is going to do. For example, "Start Quiz" is a clear and immediate call to action, while "Press Here to Begin the Lesson One Quiz" might be accurate but harder to parse.
5. Let learners know where they stand
Provide a clear way to view their progress, and provide periodic updates to show them how far they've come and how much content they've yet to complete.
6. Test your navigation thoroughly
Click through your course in every way possible, try every button and link, and fix any linking errors you find along the way. Don't be afraid to second-guess your earlier design decisions, as course navigation is organic and needs to be flexible to accommodate your evolving content.
By following these tips, you can design clear and simple e-learning navigation that allows learners to focus on its awesome content.
