A storyboard is the blueprint that tells the story of a specific lesson, and storyboarding is not a simple exercise. But it does get easier with the right approach!
So, how do we go about storyboarding?
Let’s explore how to do it right.
Groundwork Before Starting Your Storyboard
A storyboard gives the framework of the lesson before it goes into production, providing clear direction and description about the visuals, text, audio, interactions, navigation, assessments, etc.
Your microlearning strategy and microlearning map lay the foundation for a high-quality storyboard. The microlearning map helps clarify the purpose of the microlearning (to supplement, reinforce, augment, or remediate the training). It also defines the use case scenarios you need to use – pensive, performance-based, persuasive, post-instruction, practice- based, or preparatory.
The groundwork before starting the storyboarding includes deciding on the learning objectives, desired performance, tasks involved, performance criteria, content, design considerations, motivational elements, and the type of asset. These assets could be one of the following or a combination of any of them:
- Podcast
- Video
- Gamification asset
- Whiteboard animation
- Short sim
- Infographic
Once you have decided on the type of asset, you’re ready to create a specific, focused microlearning program. As in any other type of production, microlearning production is also done in 3 stages:
- Pre-production
- Production
- Post-production
Planning for storyboarding starts in pre-production, based on the insights gained from the microlearning map. Better the planning, better the storyboard!
Dos and Don’ts of Effective Storyboarding
A well-documented and self-explanatory storyboarding is like a great recipe for an effective microlearning lesson.
The artwork, design, graphics, etc. of your microlearning lesson must be based on your vision of the end product. That’s why it is critical to ‘script out’ your storyboard, define the level-of-engagement of the microlearning asset, and integrate it with technology.
For instance, for a podcast or a video, the storyboard informs the technical experts (shooting the video or recording the podcast) exactly what is needed. It’s all about effectively communicating with those who actually develop the microlearning asset.
A storyboarding table format can make this job much easier. A good storyboarding table specifies and clarifies all the technical and non-technical elements/aspects of the microlearning asset to the production team – animators, video shoot team, programmers, graphics team, instructional design specialists, or others.
A good storyboard leaves no scope for confusion and should be easy to understand for your production team. Knowing the competency levels of the team will help communicate with them efficiently and effectively!
Your storyboarding table must:
- Make it clear what the host, subject-expert, or the trainer needs to say (narration).
- Specify how much of the host will be visible on-screen.
- Specify the kind of video or visual that appears during the narration.
- Define what is displayed on-screen when there is no narration.
- Plan for every second of what the learner will see while interacting with or watching the content.
- Clearly specify all digital assets to be used (images, graphs, diagrams, charts, videos, whiteboard animations).
An Example of Storyboarding
Let’s take the example of a real estate company that opted for microlearning to train their salesforce on a newly launched townhouse residential project.
The purpose of the microlearning was to supplement a forthcoming larger training program using a preparatory use case scenario to introduce their sales team to a much sought-after housing proposition.
‘The Serenity’ townhouse residential project
The sales team are already selling high end luxury homes costing around $3 million within Los Angeles. They now needed to be trained on the new gated community 25-townhouse project, with each townhouses priced at $1 to 1.3 million
The microlearning lesson is planned to be delivered as a series of videos that the sales team can watch on the go on their smart phones.
Storyboarding table for your microlearning lesson
The storyboard specifies what’s goes into the video, and which element goes into which part of the instruction.
Let’s see how it was done by the real estate company using this simple 3-column table template (more columns can be added for additional elements) in the storyboard that includes:
- Script: written text thatblends content and design to create a learning asset
- Blocking: the precise staging of actors to facilitate their performance
- Asset: form and type of content that facilitates learning
| Script | Block | Asset |
| Hi, I’m here with some good news! For quite some time now, you’ve been asking to sell mid- range, spacious homes just outside of LA. Well, that’s what you are getting now! | CEO talking | Video of CEO addressing sales team from LA his office. CEO’s name and designation appears. |
| I present to you ‘The Serenity’– 25 gorgeous townhouses in the Thousand Oaks suburb. | CEO talking | Jpeg file showing masterplan of the new townhouse project at Thousand Oaks (near LA). |
| The Serenity! It’s all in the name. These townhouses are part of a quiet upscale community in the Ventura County – an enviable place to call home. | CEO talking | Video showing a glimpse of Ventura County (roads, parks, smiling residents and families) |
| Barely an hour away from the heart of LA, these townhouse are for those seeking for a great living experience with their family day after day! To reach this great location, just take Freeway 101 from LA. Thousand Oaks is located exactly 35 miles from Beverly Hills – a mere 40-minute drive to this land of tranquillity! | CEO talking | Google map-based graphics showing distance from Beverly Hills via Freeway 101 to site location (distance and route highlighted). |
| Constructed on three-levels, it is a great bargain for customers looking for a spacious 3200 square foot home. | CEO talking | Video of CEO directly addressing the audience. |
| With 4 bedrooms with 4 bathrooms, each is a steal at just over a million dollars. Let’s hear more from Adam, the mastermind behind this brilliant project. He’ll tell us what makes The Serenity so special! | CEO talking | Video of CEO talking looking into the camera. |
| Hi, I’m Adam, the chief architect of this project. So, what’s the concept behind The Serenity? Who is it meant for? These super spacious, convenient townhouses are for those wanting to experience resort-like living near LA. Clean air, and living amidst nature. That’s what makes it unique! Those going for this 3- level townhouse property get the best of modern living in a beautiful gated community. | Adam, the architect of The Serenity, talking | Video of architect talking on site at The Serenity. Work going on in the background. |
| Located in the excellent Thousand Oaks suburb, the gated complex offers a host of amenities. | Adam, the architect of The Serenity, talking | Regular and drone-based videos of actual location and gated walls of The Serenity highlighted. Low volume gentle and happy instrumental music playing throughout the video. |
| Each home will have a high- ceilinged tiled entry leading to a spacious living room.An adjacent outdoor patio allows residents to relax and host lavish parties. The 2nd level has a large dining room and a spacious and efficient kitchen along with a beautiful breakfast area. The two bedrooms on this level overlook the beautiful skyline of Thousand Oaks. The 3rd level houses two master bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet, an ensuite bathroom with a tub and shower, and a balcony. This makes the townhouse the epitome of luxury. The laundry area is conveniently located upstairs adjacent to the bedrooms. The 2-car garage with storage offers direct access to the unit. You get to enjoy the beautiful lush green grounds with swimming pools, spa, sauna, and a recreation room. | Adam, the architect of The Serenity, talking | 3-D animation virtual tour video shows project highlights as the narration goes on. Each aspect of the home is highlighted in a stunning setting. The décor is depicted at different times of the day, with exquisite lighting, fixtures, and accessories. |
| …….storyboarding continues |
| Script | Block | Asset |
| Hi, I’m here with some good news! For quite some time now, you’ve been asking to sell mid- range, spacious homes just outside of LA. Well, that’s what you are getting now! | CEO talking | Video of CEO addressing sales team from LA his office. CEO’s name and designation appears. |
| I present to you ‘The Serenity’– 25 gorgeous townhouses in the Thousand Oaks suburb. | CEO talking | Jpeg file showing masterplan of the new townhouse project at Thousand Oaks (near LA). |
| The Serenity! It’s all in the name. These townhouses are part of a quiet upscale community in the Ventura County – an enviable place to call home. | CEO talking | Video showing a glimpse of Ventura County (roads, parks, smiling residents and families) |
| Barely an hour away from the heart of LA, these townhouse are for those seeking for a great living experience with their family day after day! To reach this great location, just take Freeway 101 from LA. Thousand Oaks is located exactly 35 miles from Beverly Hills – a mere 40- minute drive to this land of tranquillity! | CEO talking | Google map– based graphics showing distance from Beverly Hills via Freeway 101 to site location (distance and route highlighted). |
| Constructed on three-levels, it is a great bargain for customers looking for a spacious 3200 square foot home. | CEO talking | Video of CEO directly addressing the audience. |
| With 4 bedrooms with 4 bathrooms, each is a steal at just over a million dollars. Let’s hear more from Adam, the mastermind behind this brilliant project. He’ll tell us what makes The Serenity so special! | CEO talking | Video of CEO talking looking into the camera. |
| Hi, I’m Adam, the chief architect of this project. So, what’s the concept behind The Serenity? Who is it meant for? These super spacious, convenient townhouses are for those wanting to experience resort-like living near LA. Clean air, and living amidst nature. That’s what makes it unique! Those going for this 3- level townhouse property get the best of modern living in a beautiful gated community. | Adam, the architect of The Serenity, talking | Video of architect talking on site at The Serenity. Work going on in the background. |
| Located in the excellent Thousand Oaks suburb, the gated complex offers a host of amenities. | Adam, the architect of The Serenity, talking | Regular and drone-based videos of actual location and gated walls of The Serenity highlighted. Low volume gentle and happy instrumental music playing throughout the video. |
| Each home will have a high- ceilinged tiled entry leading to a spacious living room.An adjacent outdoor patio allows residents to relax and host lavish parties.The 2nd level has a large dining room and a spacious and efficient kitchen along with a beautiful breakfast area.The two bedrooms on this level overlook the beautiful skyline of Thousand Oaks.The 3rd level houses two master bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet, an ensuite bathroom with a tub and shower, and a balcony. This makes the townhouse the epitome of luxury. The laundry area is conveniently located upstairs adjacent to the bedrooms. The 2-car garage with storage offers direct access to the unit. You get to enjoy the beautiful lush green grounds with swimming pools, spa, sauna, and a recreation room. | Adam, the architect of The Serenity, talking | 3-D animation virtual tour video shows project highlights as the narration goes on. Each aspect of the home is highlighted in a stunning setting. The décor is depicted at different times of the day, with exquisite lighting, fixtures, and accessories. |
| … storyboarding continues |
The storyboarding continues detailing the interiors and exteriors, including the number and type of rooms, beds and baths, dimensions & layout, appliances & utilities, heating & cooling, fireplaces & spa, gas & electric, windows, doors, floors & walls, levels, entrance, accessibility, views, pool, frontage, water & sewer, surface and elevation.
Based on the storyboarding table, the production team goes ahead with the shooting of videos, creating animations and graphics, and so on. Once completed, the assets are integrated into the microlearning lesson.
The storyboard becomes the first in the series of microlearning lessons that conveys the message in a 5-to-7-minute microlearning lesson.
This example gives you a glimpse of the storyboarding process. Actual storyboarding is far more intricate and elaborate. What’s important is to follow the logic and framework to get it right!
To conclude, storyboarding is a strategic planning process. A well-thought-out microlearning strategy, a good microlearning map, and the right storyboarding framework will get you excellent results.
