Top 22 eLearning Websites for Training Managers and Instructional Designers

Gina has submitted the following, stating:

"This link/blog of curated ID content contains a wide variety of useful websites, including eLearning Industry, a community of ID professionals, eLearning Infographics, containing hundreds of educational infographics categorized by topic, Training Industry, which focuses on corporate learning but with a wide spectrum of ID strands, such as artificial intelligence, content development, measurement and analytics, onboarding, and much more.

The link below also contains links to a variety of useful blogs, such ATD's Blogs, the Rapid eLearning Blog, Gamelearn Blog, and a rather insightful one called the Learning Rebels Blog, all of which lead to an infinite number of resources. Enjoy!" 

Link here. 

"Future Shock"

Steven submitted the following:

"Immersed presently in the study of eLearning/Instructional Design, after having completed graduate education a number of decades ago, I hearken back to high school days (even more decades ago!) where our required reading in English one semester was a book called Future Shock, by 'futurist' Alvin Toffler.  The gist of the book, as I recall, was (and still is) that not only are things changing, but they are changing at an ever increasing rate of change. The things that were changing were technology and social structure.

Instructional Design has its roots in learning theories of education that came originally from philosophy, sociology and the once (and still) emerging fields of education as a distinct subject. Computers brought in the need for 'eLearning' and so the 'design' in Instructional Design came to include visual and audio elements that can reach and engage a learner distant in space and time.  

Developments in web-based, and cloud based content delivery now compete with the initially 'designed' eLearning module -- and social media allow interaction between learner and instructor, which can carry the learning experience to a new dimension.  

See at this link, wherein mention is made of educator and author Neil Postman apparently having first used 'future shock as a way of describing the social paralysis induced by rapid technological change.'  

The challenge now, in eLearning/Instructional design (and in life), is to minimize the 'Shock' while embracing and capitalizing on the 'Future' as best we can!"

The Visual Mind: The Science of Compelling Content

Now, this submission in from David, who states,

"This is a subject I've always found fascinating, and hopefully useful, for the Blog audience. It's an eLearning starter for readers interested in the intersection of psychology and visual content, offering insights into why visuals are so impactful...

Emotional Engagement

Visuals are great for activating emotions. Whether it’s color, imagery, or design elements, each component can trigger emotional reactions that shape how people see and respond to your content. By choosing certain colors, facial expressions, or other details, you can create a bond with your audience.

Cognitive Processing

Our brains process images faster than text, making visuals a powerful way to communicate. When you focus on clarity, relevance, and simplicity in your design, you can reduce the mental effort (cognitive load) for your audience. Well-designed visuals also help break down complex ideas, making them easier to understand and remember.

Visual Storytelling

Every visual tells a story. Consider how a single image or sequence of images can convey a narrative that captivates your viewers. Elements like composition, context, and symbolism work together to add deeper meaning, helping people connect more personally with your message.

Empathy and Connection

Visual content creation isn’t always about the look - it’s also about creating empathy. By imaging cultural or personal stories, you can form real connections with your audience. When you use empathy in your visuals, you’re more likely to reach a diverse group of viewers and connect with their own experiences.

Identity and Branding

Visuals are a persuasive canvas for both personal style and brand identity, where authenticity plays the key role in strong branding. Repeated design elements—like colors, fonts, or logos—strengthen brand recognition. At the same time, expressing yourself through visual design can inspire your audience and build deeper connections.

Learn More

SHIFT eLearning Blog / Instructional & Graphic Design
Focused on practical eLearning tips, SHIFT covers how visuals affect learning, ways to lower cognitive load, and methods for creating interactive experiences that audiences remember. Link here."

Storytelling In Design Work

Patrice sent this in regarding storytelling:

"I wanted to uplift the use of storytelling in your design work. Hadiya Nuriddin of Duets Training has provided many resources for those unfamiliar with this practice. I encourage you to explore her website and podcast here.

'Whether you're an executive seeking to captivate your audience or an instructional designer looking to enhance your content, our curated tools and tips will transform your storytelling abilities. Explore expert insights, practical guides, and inspiring examples that demonstrate how to weave data and storytelling into impactful messages.Visit now and discover how storytelling can elevate your communication and drive your success.'"  

Making Training/Courses More Accessible

The following was submitted by Stephanie:

"I've been making training materials for around 4 years but in the perspective of SME in the field of behavior analysis for our staff who provide therapy services. I also received a certification last year through the International Association of Accessibility Professionals because I'm interested in making meaningful training content and also trainings that are accessible to all. One recent resource I came across that I think will be helpful as we move further into classes is a checklist on how to make trainings/courses created in Articulate Storyline and Rise more accessible by Stanford University IT Office of Accessibility. You can find the checklist here."

On Emotional Intelligence

Sonal submitted the following regarding emotional intelligence:

"I love emotional intelligence and its impact on the workplace. 

Understanding and managing emotions effectively can improve leadership, teamwork, and overall workplace culture. It's important that practitioners focus on applying emotional intelligence in real-world scenarios, particularly in handling teams, enhancing communication, and fostering a positive work environment. Posted here is an insightful article that includes a questionnaire used to give an introspective look, and motivate one to create impactful content for training and coaching. Check it out!" 

AI's Role With Communities of Practice

Here's a post from David - he remarks:

"I read a number of articles from this week's module on collaboration. This one really stood out. Here's the summary from the article:

'Worksheets have long been a staple in education, but their potential as tools for fostering collaboration and building communities of practice often remains untapped. By applying backward design and thoughtfully integrating AI, we can transform worksheets into dynamic, interactive experiences.'

I'm always try to design class activities as an 'application' complement to lectures - and assigning small groups the task of filling out a worksheet is my go to. This article does a great job of applying ID principles to guide the process, e.g., having well defined outcomes in mind and observable measures of success, as well as common sense social psychology, e.g., start the worksheet off with an icebreaker. 

What really struck me is how it goes a step further, by offering a way of making the worksheet more 'dynamic' - by including a role for AI at a number of different points in the collaborative process."