Practical guide: applying UX principles to e-learning

Practical Guide: Applying UX Principles to e-learning

In a digital world where interactions are rapidly multiplying, e-learning now plays a fundamental role in training and skill development. However, the quality of these experiences is often compromised by design choices that do not serve the end user. This article explores how UX design principles (User Experience) can transform digital training content into a smooth, engaging, and effective experience.

By relying on solid concepts, such as user-centered design and accessibility integration, you will discover how to redefine your designs to meet user expectations, improve the perceived value of your content, and reduce common frustrations in the e-learning field.

What is UX applied to e-learning?

User Experience (UX) goes beyond User Interface (UI) or button aesthetics. UX encompasses all interactions a person can have with a product, service, or organization. In the context of e-learning, this means:

Every click on an LMS (Learning Management System),
Every interaction with a digital module,
Every printed or digital support provided.

The fundamental goal? Place the user - or the human - at the center of the design process, meeting their specific needs while respecting their professional context. This framework requires comprehensive thinking, far beyond aesthetic considerations.

Key Principles for a Better User Experience in e-learning

1. Center design on value

User experience must first and foremost be valuable to the user, which involves meeting several fundamental criteria:

Useful: Content must solve a problem or meet a specific need.
Usable: Users should be able to navigate and interact without excessive effort.
Desirable: Even if the content is mandatory in a professional setting, it should not be perceived as a chore. This involves brevity, simplicity, and relevant contextualization.

Content that is hard to find, not credible, or inaccessible immediately loses its value.

2. Create a clear visual hierarchy

Visual organization plays a major role in content perception and effectiveness:

Use white spaces to declutter the design.
Align text and graphic elements to naturally guide the eye.
Create contrasts between titles, subtitles, and body text to enhance readability.

A good example would be highlighting critical elements (such as a workplace safety warning) with specific colors and sizes rather than burying them in unengaging bullet lists.

3. Reduce choices to improve clarity

Hick's Law states that the more choices a user faces, the slower their decision-making will be. In e-learning, this means:

Limited visible options in menus and interfaces.
Organize content into clear categories (e.g., modules, subjects, or chapters).
Offer simple and logical user paths, while maintaining a certain level of autonomy.

For example, a complex navigation, similar to Netflix's catalog, could confuse learners and divert them from their main goal: learning.

4. Enhance interactions through element size and position

According to Fitts' Law, the time needed to interact with an element depends on its size and proximity. To optimize fluidity:

Use large buttons, especially on mobile.
Place interactive elements in easily accessible areas (e.g., bottom of the screen for mobile thumb reach).
Avoid placing critical actions (like deleting an account or irreversible validation) too close to other options to limit accidental errors.

5. Highlight important information

The von Restorff effect indicates that distinct elements are more easily remembered. But this doesn't mean everything should be in bold! To emphasize key information:

Use colors, icons, and subtle animations.
Visually separate critical messages (e.g., "Caution: risk of fatal fall").
Rely on multimedia elements (images, short videos) to enhance emotional impact.

6. Ensure impeccable credibility

Uncredible or inaccurate content can severely impact training effectiveness. This includes:

Integration of reliable sources and clear references.
Consistency in tone and instructions.
Rigorous content verification, especially when AI tools are used for writing.

Practical Foundations for Better Design

Here are concrete principles to integrate UX into your projects:

Microcopy: Clear and Contextual Instructions

Microcopy, or small instructions, are often overlooked, yet they define the overall experience. They should:

Provide clear instructions (e.g., "Click here to submit").
Adapt to the user's context without cluttering the screen.
Indicate the next steps after an action (e.g., after a wrong answer to a question).

Testing UX Principles

To ensure your UX designs work, apply simple tests:

5-second test: A user should understand what is expected of them (e.g., read, click, respond) within 5 seconds of landing on a page.
Involve real user groups to quickly identify friction points.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Ensure the experience is accessible to all:

Adhere to digital accessibility standards (font size, contrast, keyboard navigation...).
Localize your content to consider cultural or linguistic differences.

Advanced Principles: Fluidity and Immersion

To ensure an immersive experience:

Empower user control: Users should have control over their journey, with autonomous choices.
Reduce distractions: Avoid unnecessary elements that burden cognitive load, such as overly complex animations.
Create seamless continuity: Each screen should logically flow to the next, without confusing the user.

Key Points to Remember

Value is defined by the user: Focus on their need, ease of use, and context.
Less is more: Reduce choices for a more intuitive navigation.
Bring contrast: A clear visual hierarchy instantly enhances the experience.
Be consistent: Consistent buttons, menus, and interactions reinforce understanding.
Clear message, clear action: Microcopy should guide each step.
Test, test, and test again: Put your designs to the test with real users.
Accessibility = inclusivity: Every content should be accessible to all, without exception.

Conclusion

Applying UX principles to e-learning goes beyond aesthetics; it is a user-centered approach aimed at transforming how learners interact with digital content. By integrating these concepts - from reducing choices to highlighting critical information - you can create more engaging, intuitive, and effective experiences. The key lies in small, carefully tested, and refined adjustments.

Rethinking your approach doesn't just result in better design: it promotes truly human-centered learning.

Source: "Design for Humans - Applying UX Principles in eLearning" - Instructional Design Tips, YouTube, Aug 2, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e547T4hy7Qo