1/3 of the realestate is kind of a lot! I do like Kildbeck does, have it available if they want it by mousing or clicking on something. In a recent set of courses we used a topic menu on the first page of each topic highlighting the current one to keep the learner organized. Pretty standard. Pages within the topic had no menu but each topic was a max of 7 pages.

I think that more importantly from a ID standpoint rather than layout standpoint is the need or appropriateness of a complete menu at all times. Better design is providing the learner an opportunity to APPLY what is being learned and that may likely be in a branching situation/scenario design. Jumping around in such an environment would make it not very effective or maybe likely defeat the purpose of the branching.

I am with you on the real estate issue - had similar arguments with someone about the pictures of our avatars taking up most of the screen - but I want to provide some food for thought ---

(all of this is a general commentary and not directed at anyone personally)

Async e-learning is (ought to be) completely learner driven and not necessarily linear. Books may not have a TOC on every page, but then again, if I'm reading a linear novel, I don't need the TOC at all.

If I'm reading a non-fiction book, I'm actually more likely to jump around to the info that interests me or that I need, and use the index. The key is - I need the option and it should be obvious how to get to it. Either way, there's no reason for any of that to take up 1/3 of the screen. At the same time, I'd also ask myself why there's sooo much content that I need 2/3 of the screen to cover it all.

Most seem to agree that "telling aint training" yet most seem to still resort to just that with e-learning. Terribly disappointing to still see that after all these years.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LoveLearning,

I really like the idea of "folding", often implemented with "plus boxes". The idea is that the screen contains just a few points and maybe a TOC marker, but none show additional content unless expanded. This allows the learner to only see the detail she/he needs. I generally prefer two or three layers of folding.