7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.

com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

GET STARTED FREE

CREATE YOUR COURSE

7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates

For Online Course Creators
by Colin Burton on November 10, 2022
6 min read

Use these instructional design storyboard templates to stay on top of

best practices when building your online course.

1 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

In the early stages of planning an online course, you might �nd yourself staring at a
blank sheet of paper, scratching your head, wondering where to begin. After all, so
many moving pieces go into course design — starting from the very architecture of
your lessons, through activities and exercises, all the way down to �lming your course
content.

That’s precisely why many educators use storyboarding to streamline the process. A
storyboard can help you plan out your entire course, down to the smallest details, while
keeping the big picture and your overarching goals in sight.

We’ve put together 7 customizable eLearning storyboard templates that pull from the
most widely acknowledged instructional design models. Use them to organize your
course planning around proven instructional theories and stay on top of best practices
from the very start.

Keep reading to �nd out which storyboard is the best for your needs and how to use the
templates.

[Skip to download the templates or download them here ]

Free Customizable Instructional Design Templates

Grab all our eLearning storyboard templates using widely acknowledged
instructional design models.

[email protected]

GET IT FREE

What is instructional design storyboarding?

Instructional design storyboarding is the process of mapping out the core elements of

2 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

a course, webinar or lecture in a process outlined by a speci�c instructional design

model.

If you’re new to instructional theory, you might be wondering what that means. Let’s
get some de�nitions out of the way.

What are instructional design models?

Instructional design models are frameworks developed by psychologists and

educational researchers that organize “creating instruction” (e.g., building an
eLearning course) into a streamlined process that follows research-based best
practices.

By taking the guesswork out of the course design process, instructional design models
help educators create learning experiences that deliver results. On a high level, this
means helping students acquire and retain new knowledge or skills. From a business
perspective, the implications of effective learning can include good reviews, returning
customers, referrals — and improved bottom-line results.

Related reading: 10 Instructional Design Models Every Course Builder Should Know

What is storyboarding?

Storyboarding is a planning technique that has its roots in movie production. Originally,
storyboards were used to pre-visualize sequences of events in motion pictures and
animations.

In education, storyboarding helps plan the contents of a course, lesson, lecture, or any
kind of learning experience. It can help prioritize information, arrange the elements of
a training program into a logical sequence, map out video materials, plan audio
narration, and more.

3 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

So, summing up, instructional design storyboarding relies on instructional design

models to guide the process of putting together a course or class.

Learn more about other types of storyboards in our complete guide: How To Create An
Elearning Storyboard [Plus Templates]

Why should you use an instructional design storyboard?

Creating a storyboard may sound like adding an extra step to the course development
process. But it’s like using a good project management tool — it will ultimately save you
a lot of time and arrive at optimal solutions without the trial and error.

Relying on an instructional design storyboard template will help you:

• Keep your training focused on research-backed best practices

• Hit all the important points in your audio and visual materials
• Simplify production and post-production by lowering the chance that you have to
go back and reshoot things.
• Plan exercises, quizzes, and activities that facilitate the retention of new
knowledge and skills.

How to use our instructional design storyboard templates

Below, you’ll �nd 7 templates for instructional design storyboards.

To use the template, simply print it out or grab a copy of ours! Once you have a printout
or digital copy of the template, �ll out the empty �elds following the prompts in italics.

7 free instructional design storyboard templates

1. Bloom’s Taxonomy storyboard template

Bloom’s Taxonomy states that there are 6 consecutive steps to mastering new

4 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

knowledge or skills:

�. Remember
�. Understand
�. Apply
�. Analyze
�. Evaluate
�. Create

Use this template to:

• De�ne the scope of what your students are supposed to remember, understand,
etc.
• Plan activities that will support each step.

You can then plan your modules and course materials around these clearly de�ned

5 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

learning objectives and exercises.

Learn more about Bloom’s Taxonomy: Bloom’s Taxonomy: A Crash Course For Online
Course Creators

2. Gagné’s 9 Events of Instruction storyboard template

Gagné’s instructional design model breaks effective learning into a set of 9 “events” that

6 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

happen across 3 stages (before, during, and after the delivery of instruction):

�. Gain the learner’s attention

�. Tell them what they are going to learn
�. Stimulate the recall of prior knowledge
�. Present the instruction
�. Guided practice
�. Independent performance
�. Provide feedback
�. Assess performance
�. Extension and transfer

This storyboard template will help you plan talking points, activities and teaching
strategies for each step.

Learn more about Gagné’s 9 Events of Instruction: How To Use Gagné’s Nine Events Of
Instruction To Make Learning Stick

Free Customizable Instructional Design Templates

Grab all our eLearning storyboard templates using widely acknowledged

7 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

instructional design models.

[email protected]

GET IT FREE

3. ADDIE storyboard template

ADDIE is a popular instructional design model that outlines 5 steps of instructional

design:

�. Analyze
�. Design
�. Develop
�. Implement
�. Evaluate

This template will help you plan and organize your pre-and post-launch tasks within
your course development project. It will also remind you to plan for a post-launch
analysis and work towards optimizing your eLearning program even after it goes live.

8 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

Learn more about ADDIE: What Is the ADDIE Training Model? (With Examples)

Free ADDIE Training Model Template

Don't reinvent the wheel! Use this template to guide yourself through the ADDIE
model of instructional design.

[email protected]

GET IT FREE

4. SAM storyboard template

SAM is a simpli�ed version of the ADDIE model of instructional design. It names 3

repeating steps to developing a successful training program:

�. Evaluate
�. Design
�. Develop

9 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

Use this template to map out the tasks you will need to build your course and
continuously re�ne it.

5. Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction storyboard template

Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction is a model that outlines the 5 universal principles
common to all effective instructional design models.

The 5 principles of instruction are:

�. Task/Problem-Centered
�. Activation
�. Demonstration
�. Application
�. Integration

Use this template to:

10 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

• Map out the real-world problems and tasks you will base your course around.
• De�ne how you will tie your course in with your student’s prior knowledge.
• Plan the activities, exercises and talking points that will support each principle.

Learn more about Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction: Merrill’s Principles Of

Instruction And How To Use Them in Elearning

6. Action Mapping storyboard template

11 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

Action Mapping is a model that breaks down effective training into 4 building blocks:

�. A measurable business goal

�. A series of actions required to reach the goal
�. Practice activities designed to teach students how to perform the actions
�. Information essential to carry out the activities

Use this template to:

• De�ne an overarching goal for your course.

• Plan practice tasks and activities.
• Build scripts for your audio and visual materials around information essential to
your goal.

7. 70-20-10 storyboard template

The 70-20-10 model of learning and development identi�es three ways in which people
learn and assigns weight to each of them.

According to the model:

• 70% of knowledge comes from experience, experiment and re�ection.

• 20% of knowledge comes from working with others.
• 10% of knowledge comes from formal, planned learning.

12 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

Use this template to de�ne objectives and activities relevant to each category.

Conclusion

There you have it — 7 ready-to-use instructional design storyboard templates. Use

them to create a logically structured and effective online course that will help your
students learn new things (and help you grow your eLearning business).

Once you map out your course, easily build and market it with Thinki�c. Get started for
free. (No tech skills required. Your expertise and storyboards are all you need!)

Free Customizable Instructional Design Templates

Grab all our eLearning storyboard templates using widely acknowledged
instructional design models.

[email protected]

GET IT FREE

13 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

This article was originally written January 2022, and was updated November 2022 to be even more useful!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

COLIN BURTON
Colin is a Content Marketer at Thinki�c, writing about everything from online entrepreneurship &
course creation to digital marketing strategy.

Get free resources in your inbox

Subscribe to receive top tips and resources to grow your online course business

[email protected]

SUBSCRIBE

Related Articles

14 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

CREATE YOUR COURSE - 5 MIN READ

The 5 Most Common Mistakes Course Creators & Businesses Make

When Launching...
Set yourself up for success with online learning by avoiding these 5 common mistakes course creators and
businesses make.

by Nova Siegmann

CREATE YOUR COURSE - 4 MIN READ

Say Thanks to Your Online Course Students with Handwritten Cards

Thanks to Thankster, sending handwritten thank you cards to your online course students has never been
easier.

by Guest Contributor

15 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

CREATE YOUR COURSE - 12 MIN READ

Teaching History Online: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you a history teacher or enthusiast? Interested in monetizing your passion? Use our guide to learn how
to teach history online.

by Megan Binder

Most Popular

10 Instructional Design Models For Creating A Winning Online Course

What Is the ADDIE Training Model? (Template + Examples)

How To Use Gagné’s Nine Events Of Instruction To Make Learning Stick

How To Use Merrill’s First Principles Of Instruction In Elearning

SAM Instructional Design: A Guide For Online Course Creators

 THINKIFIC.COM

Try Thinki�c for yourself!

16 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

Accomplish your course creation and student success

goals faster with Thinki�c.

[email protected]

Get Started Free

Start free. No credit card required.

Partners

Becoming a Partner Thinki�c App Store

Expert Marketplace Thinki�c Developers

Become an A�liate

Product

Features Overview Create Amazing Products

Build Websites to Market Your Business Generate Income By Selling

Engage With Your Learning Community Grow and Scale Your Business

Pricing

Company

About Us Careers

17 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM
7 Instructional Design Storyboard Templates For Online Course Creators https://www.thinkific.com/blog/instructional-design-storyboard-templates/

Contact Us Security

Legal Press

Investors The Leap

Support

Resources Hub Blog

FAQ Help center

Training site Status

Customers

Customers Case studies

Example websites

© Thinki�c 2024   

18 of 18 26-Apr-24, 11:40 PM