Navigational Controls
In e-learning, buttons and interactive controls are more than just design elements; they are fundamental tools that enable the core principles of effective instructional design: engagement, control, and feedback. They serve three primary functions: Navigation, Interactivity, and Assessment. Buttons give the learner agency over their learning experience, which is essential for adult learning principles. Controls like "Next," "Back," and "Skip" allow learners to move through content at their own pace. Instructional designers often use these buttons to lock content progression until a required activity is completed, ensuring mandatory sequence is followed. In sophisticated courses (like those using branching scenarios), buttons let the learner choose their path, simulating real-world decision-making and creating a personalized experience. Interaction is key to moving beyond passive viewing and requires a deliberate action from the learner.
A button labeled "Click to Reveal" transforms a static text block into a simple interaction, requiring the learner to engage physically with the content. This small effort increases retention compared to just reading and promotes active learning. Interactive buttons on diagrams or images (often called "hotspots" or "tooltips") allow learners to explore parts of a system or process on demand, focusing only on the information they need. Buttons are the mechanism through which learners submit their understanding and receive critical feedback. In essence, a well-designed button ensures the learner always knows what they need to do next to progress through the lesson and achieve the learning objectives.
