E-Learning Storyboards: IRS Example

When it comes to e-learning examples, I’m always looking for new and creative demos I can add to my collection. Sometimes I’m inspired enough to try to recreate the examples just to test my skills.

Having mostly worked in corporate e-learning, I was excited to find this post by the EFF on law enforcement’s use of social media and investigative techniques. Also included is a link to an IRS e-learning storyboard:

One of the most interesting files is a 2009 training course that describes how IRS employees may use various Internet tools — including social networking sites and Google Street View — to investigate taxpayers.

Admittedly, I was looking forward to checking out their boards. I mean, this is the Feds. They have the budget and the resources to do e-learning “right,” right? View the storyboard and see for yourself.

So while the storyboard wasn’t as groundbreaking as I’d hoped or expected, it was in line with most of what I’ve seen in corporate e-learning. One thing that stood out was the conversational, even friendly, tone of the course. It didn’t read like most regulatory or compliance e-learning. Bonus: I even learned a couple new searching techniques.

A few high-level observations:

• Common format used in most corporate e-learning courses (Present information, give examples, quiz learner)
• No dev notes or media direction included (this may not be the final, ID storyboard)
• Unclear if this is a read-only or narrated course (would it make a difference?)

What do you think?

Do you like the storyboard? Is this similar to the types of e-learning courses you design? How does it differ? What would a scenario-based approach look like for this content?

Storyboard templates and resources

• For more examples of e-learning storyboards, check out Storyboard Templates
• For more templates, check out Elearning Templates

How I made the cover image