Storyboarding for eLearning: Best Practices and Templates

When designing an eLearning course, jumping straight into development without a plan is like shooting a video without a script. That’s where storyboarding comes in.

A storyboard is your blueprint for learning—a visual and textual outline that guides the structure, flow, and interactivity of your course before development begins. Whether you're using Articulate Storyline, Rise, Captivate, or PowerPoint, storyboarding helps you align your ideas with instructional goals, team feedback, and learner needs.

In this guide, we’ll walk through what a storyboard is, why it’s essential in eLearning, how to create one effectively, and where to find time-saving templates.

What Is a Storyboard in eLearning?

A storyboard is a slide-by-slide or screen-by-screen outline of your course content. It usually includes:

• Narration script
• Visual elements or layout
• On-screen text
• Interactions (e.g., buttons, quizzes, drag-and-drop)
• Media elements (audio, video, animations)

It acts as a shared document between instructional designers, subject matter experts (SMEs), developers, and stakeholders, keeping everyone on the same page.

Why Storyboarding Matters in eLearning

Storyboarding isn’t just about saving time—it improves your instructional design quality. Here's why:

Benefit	Impact
Visualizes the course structure	Helps stakeholders and SMEs see the flow
Reduces rework during development	Catches errors early before the time-consuming build begins
Aligns content with objectives	Ensures each screen or slide has a clear learning purpose
Streamlines collaboration	Acts as a communication tool between IDs, graphic designers, and developers
Supports consistency	Helps maintain a cohesive voice, design, and instructional strategy

👉 Think of it as your course prototype—lightweight but powerful.

Types of Storyboards (Pick What Fits Your Workflow)

There’s no one right way to storyboard. The best format depends on your tool, team, and timeline. Here are three popular options:

1. Text-Based (Document or Table Format)

Perfect for scripting narration and describing visuals. Often used in Word, Google Docs, or Excel.

Slide	Narration	Visual Description	Interaction/Notes
1	“Welcome to the course on XYZ…”	Logo, welcome screen, start button	Button leads to learning objectives
2	“In this module, you’ll learn…”	Module intro with icon visuals	None

2. Visual Slide-Based (PowerPoint or Google Slides)

Ideal for showing layout and flow. Great for SMEs who prefer visuals.

• Each slide represents a screen
• Notes pane holds narration or development notes
• Placeholders indicate images, videos, or interactions

3. Hybrid Storyboards

Combine both—use slides with a narration script document. Especially helpful for complex courses with heavy interaction.

Best Practices for eLearning Storyboarding

1. Start with the End in Mind

Define learning objectives first. Match storyboard screens to those objectives.

2. Use a Consistent Format

Stick to a clear structure: Slide # → Script → Visual → Interaction.

3. Show, Don’t Just Tell

Use sketches, wireframes, or placeholder graphics.

4. Collaborate Early

Involve your SMEs before finalizing the storyboard.

5. Label Media Assets Clearly

Identify all images, videos, and audio by filename.

6. Leave Room for Feedback

Treat your storyboard as a draft—not a final build.

Storyboarding Example: From Concept to Slide

Learning Objective: Identify three types of phishing emails

Slide #	Narration Script	Visuals	Interaction
1	“Let’s start by understanding what phishing is and why it’s dangerous.”	Illustration of a hook with an email symbol + a fake login screen	None – Static introduction screen
2	“Here are three common types of phishing emails you might encounter.”	Side-by-side images of Spoofing, Spear Phishing, and Whaling emails	Hover or click to reveal risks and how to spot each one
3	“Let’s test your skills. Which of these emails looks suspicious?”	Interactive email inbox simulation with 4 emails	Click-to-select. Instant feedback shows correct/incorrect with explanation

Final Thoughts: Build Before You Build

Storyboarding might seem like an extra step—but it’s a strategic shortcut. You’ll catch gaps, ensure alignment, and avoid expensive rework later.

In short, storyboards help you:

• Communicate your vision
• Save development time
• Stay aligned with learning goals
• Design intentionally and effectively

Whether you're a new instructional designer or a growing course creator, mastering storyboarding is a key skill that will sharpen your entire workflow.