AI Learning Hub: A Repository of eLearning micro-courses

Instructional Design Lead/ Designing, shipping, and continuously updating an AI Learning Hub for the comms team of a leading global technology company.

Overview

Solving AI knowledge dissemination challenges with an agile, centralized training repository.

Role:

Instructional design/ LXD lead

Tools:

Articulate Rise

Adobe Premiere Pro

Figma

Cornerstone LMS

Context

The task:

Help a busy comms team stay ahead in the rapidly evolving AI space, speak about it with authority to their clients and media, and keep essential information from slipping through the cracks.

Considerations:

  1. Constantly Evolving AI Landscape

    • The rapid pace of AI advancements required a training solution that could adapt quickly to new developments and ensure the team remained up to date.

  2. A Dual Need

    • The communications team needed to not only utilize tools like Copilot effectively to enhance their own workflow but also to articulate the evolving AI landscape with confidence to clients and media.

  3. Information Overload and Tracking Challenges

    • Dispersed communications via email, Teams, and calls led to critical AI knowledge being lost, with no system in place to track learning progress or ensure information retention.

Time constraints:

This challenge was compounded by tight time constraints, as business leads wanted a quick solution to keep up with the rapidly evolving AI landscape. We had to work efficiently while ensuring the training could adapt to constant changes.

Discovery & Ideation

Team assembly:

As the instructional designer, I joined a team that included a project manager from the communications team and 8 identified Subject Matter Experts (SME) or “power users”—experts within the company who are at the forefront of implementing AI and staying current with industry changes.

Listening circles:

We hosted listening circles with employees, team leads, and power users (SMEs) to gather diverse perspectives on AI challenges. These insights provided a solid foundation to ensure the solution addressed real needs and priorities.

Employee (Learner) Perspective

Not enough time in the day.

There’s always something new. I am afraid to speak with clients about AI for fear of seeming behind.

The updates get lost in the shuffle. Impossible to find them again.

Business Leaders Perspective

Our team needs to be on the cutting edge of AI knowledge as we represent a client leading the space.

We need to know who knows what. Where are our employees AI skills?

SME Perspective

I have so much on my plate. I need a low lift solution that doesn’t interfere with my own work.

I need time to learn and develop my own AI skills and knowledge gaps.

Ideation:

  1. A teams channel dedicated to AI updates and daily learnings posted by the Power Users

    Challenges: Difficult to track who has completed which learning, workload falls heavily on Power Users (Subject Matter Experts).

    Pros: Easy to update daily, strong search function, space for learner discourse.

  2. AI Office Hours hosted by Power Users

    Challenges: A time intensive, opt in model. The ROI for Power Users time would not reach the entire learner base.

    Pros: Real-time on learning is highly effective, staying relevant is made simple by live sessions.

  3. Weekly AI L&D newsletter

    Challenges: Difficult to track who has read the newsletter, not an engaging learner format.

    Pros: Simplicity, low workload.

  4. AI Learning Hub housing a series of micro-courses

    Challenges: Large undertaking for the time constraints.

    Pros: Advanced assignment, assessment, and tracking abilities. High engagement, centralized location.

Solution

Create a centralized AI Learning Hub, designed to house a library of continuously updated micro-courses and other learning materials. This repository provides easy access to training courses, resources, and tools, ensuring employees could stay up-to-date on the latest developments in AI. Additionally, a tracking system was implemented to monitor learning progress and completion, providing valuable insights for team and business leads.

Pros

  • Centralized Access: Learners have a single, reliable hub to find all AI-related training and resources.

  • Up-to-Date Content: The Learning Hub was designed to adapt to the rapid evolution of AI, ensuring relevance and timeliness.

  • Improved Tracking: A built-in reporting system allows business leads to track employee progress and ensure learning goals are met.

  • Scalability: The repository can grow to include more courses and accommodate new learners.

  • Consistency: Standardized training ensures all employees have access to the same high-quality learning materials regardless of manager.

Considerations

  • Agility Requirements: The fast-changing AI landscape requires constant updates to keep the repository relevant.

  • Time Constraints: Developing a robust repository while meeting tight deadlines demands careful prioritization and efficient workflows.

  • Engagement: Ensuring employees utilize the Learning Hub and stay motivated to complete courses.

  • Coordination: Gathering input and content from Power Users and subject matter experts requires significant collaboration and alignment.

Design & Development

Engaging Multimedia Content

  • Edited short tutorial videos that came from video screen recordings and narration from the SMEs using Adobe Premiere Pro to create short, impactful video snippets for learners.

  • Course text highlights key takeaways from each video to ensure clarity and focus.

Screen Recordings turned robust eLearnings

  • Each video/ topic was turned into an individual micro-course for quick, impactful learning.

  • Each course was designed to take 10 minutes or less to maximize accessibility and engagement. This approach allowed busy employees to fit training into their schedules while ensuring they could quickly absorb key concepts and apply them immediately.

Consistent Course Structure

  • Each course followed a predictable structure

  • This consistency helped learners know exactly what to expect, making the experience intuitive and efficient.

Course launch

3 bulleted tips for the skill distilled by the SME video

A step-by-step guide to complete the skill taught by the SME

Course and SME introduction

3-4 minute highlight tutorial of the SME’s screen recording

Closing page directing learners to the AI Learning Hub

Design System Alignment

  • All course materials adhered to the company’s design system, ensuring a polished, professional look and seamless integration with existing branding.

  • This alignment reinforced the company’s identity and made the learning experience feel unified and credible.

Implementation & Iteration

Housing the Micro-courses in Playlists

  • Courses were grouped into playlists, each dedicated to a specific AI tool and housed on the company’s Learning Management System (LMS).

  • Slight design variations between playlists helped users quickly differentiate between tools while maintaining overall coherence.

Company wide rollout

  • Initial rollout introduced the training to the entire company one course at a time.

  • The phased approach allowed us to collect learner data and feedback continuously, using insights to refine the design and implementation process in real-time.

  • By collecting and analyzing data as we went, we ensured the training remained effective and engaging while simultaneously developing and launching new courses each week.

Feedback and iteration

  • Collected and analyzed data after each micro-course release to ensure training remained effective and engaging.

  • Adapted courses to keep pace with the ever-changing AI landscape.

  • Maintained alignment with initial goals of relevance and consistency.

Current state

  • Courses now follow a consistent design and format that aligns with the initial goal of simplicity for both SMEs and learners.

  • Small refinements have enhanced usability without overcomplicating the structure or content.

  • Each course remains concise, engaging, and accessible, designed to fit into a learner's busy schedule.

  • The modular format allows for easy updates and the addition of new content to reflect the evolving AI landscape.

  • Learners benefit from a predictable structure, while SMEs can contribute effortlessly, keeping the process efficient and scalable.

Ongoing Development

This project remains active, with courses updated regularly, processes evolving, and new content launched weekly to stay aligned with the fast-changing AI landscape.

Data Reporting

Weekly Data Reporting

  • A weekly reporting system tracked course completions and time spent within each course.

  • Aggregate participation and engagement data were sent to business leads for a high-level overview.

  • Detailed, team-specific reports by name were shared with managers and team leads.

  • Reports provided transparency, ensured accountability, and highlighted top performers.

  • Data insights helped managers identify team members needing additional support or encouragement.