Simplify Your Learning Design

Too often, instructional design overwhelms learners—and our own collaborators. In our relentless pursuit of comprehensive "content delivery," we've forgotten that human beings aren't data processors; they're storytellers, meaning-makers, and emotional connectors.

The typical way we design learning materials is cognitively exhausting. We flood screens, slides, and activities with dense text, unnecessary visuals, and intricate navigation, unintentionally forcing learners to split their attention. Instead of aiding comprehension, our content-heavy approaches create confusion, fatigue, and frustration.

But it's not just learners who suffer. We often overload subject matter experts (SMEs), reviewers, and other stakeholders during development, presenting them with overly detailed outlines, excessively complicated storyboards, or lengthy review documents. This complexity makes meaningful feedback harder to provide and collaboration unnecessarily challenging.

Humans don't naturally thrive in information-dense environments. We thrive when presented with clear, focused, and meaningful narratives. When instructional design prioritizes content quantity over quality, both learners and collaborators struggle to process, retain, and apply essential knowledge.

So, how can you simplify for everyone involved?-

- Simplify Ruthlessly: Identify the core message of your content and eliminate everything else. Clarity always trumps comprehensiveness.
- Leverage Storytelling: Humans are wired for stories. Connect learning points to narratives, examples, and case studies that resonate emotionally.
- Prioritize Connection: Make learning personal. Highlight relevance, incorporate real-world scenarios, and engage learners directly in activities that reflect their experiences and challenges.
- Limit Cognitive Load: Present information sequentially rather than simultaneously. Break down complex topics into bite-sized pieces.
- Streamline Reviews: Provide collaborators with focused, clear review materials. Simplify instructions, emphasize what's essential, and encourage targeted, manageable feedback.

By embracing simplicity, storytelling, and human connection, instructional design moves beyond overwhelming "content delivery" and toward genuine comprehension, effective collaboration, and lasting retention.

Remember, both your learners and your collaborators are people—not data processors. Design accordingly.