Are You the Chef of Your eLearning Course?

William Nolen says good learning design should feed your soul.

Would you consider yourself a foodie? If you’re anything like me, when you travel, discovering the local cuisine isn’t just a perk, it’s a priority. The best way to connect with a place is often through its food. As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”, and yes, that means eating like them too.

Take tacos, for instance. Where can you find the best in the United States? Hands down, California. Thanks to its rich Mexican heritage, you’ll find tacos that are handcrafted with recipes passed down through generations. These dishes aren’t just food, they’re cultural expressions, infused with passion, history, and heart. It’s no wonder we’ve dedicated an entire day of the week to them: Taco Tuesday.

Think about your favorite global dishes: Italian pastas, Japanese sushi, German bratwurst. What do all these culinary traditions have in common? Passionate creators. These chefs aren’t just cooking, they’re crafting experiences. As Chef Thomas Keller puts it, “A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.”

Now, what does this have to do with eLearning? EVERYTHING.

As an Instructional Designer or course developer, you are the chef of your learning experience.

So, ask yourself:

• Are you bringing that same creative energy and passion to your content?

• Are you balancing the heat, spice, and flavor of your delivery methods?

• Would you be excited to take your own course?

• Are you drawing inspiration from other “chefs” fellow designers whose flavors excite and motivate learners?

Like any good meal, eLearning should leave people satisfied, not stuffed. Too often, we’ve reliedon PowerPoint-heavy training that resembles an overloaded Tex-Mex combo platter with rice, beans, cheese, cheese, and more cheese, buried in sour cream. While it fills the plate, it doesn’t always feed the soul.

It’s time to trim the fat and ditch the distractions, reduce the filler, and focus on crafting content that’s vibrant, nourishing, and unforgettable. Rewrite until it tastes right, until it gives your learners energy, clarity, and a reason to come back for seconds.

As Julia Child famously said: “You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces, just good food from fresh ingredients.” The same applies to learning: make it good, make it fresh, and make it with love.

Bon appétit and happy designing.

William Nolen is an Instructional Systems Designer with over 25 years’ experience in Training and Development

Connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/ in/nolenw/