William Horton’s E-Learning by Design introduces the Absorb, Do, Connect framework to guide instructional designers in creating effective learning experiences.
Absorb activities are designed to help learners take in new information through observation and reflection. Learners read, watch, or listen to content such as videos, articles, or lectures.The goal is to build foundational knowledge.
Do activities encourage learners to apply what they’ve learned through active engagement.Learners practice skills, solve problems, or complete tasks. Feedback is often provided to reinforce learning.
Connect activities help learners relate new knowledge to prior experience or real-world contexts. Learners reflect, analyze, and integrate learning into their own lives or work. These activities promote deeper understanding and long-term retention.
Activity 1 — Absorb Activity
Learning Objective: Define the term “resilience” and explain what role it plays in dealing with our everyday stresses.
This 3–5 minute instructional video introduces learners to the concept of resilience, focusing on its definition and the role it plays in responding to everyday challenges. Using simple, engaging visuals and clear narration, the video breaks down the key traits of resilient individuals and how resilience functions as a buffer against stress and burnout.
Instructional design best practices & UDL principles applied:
Chunked content: Concepts are delivered in short, easy-to-digest segments to prevent cognitive overload.
Plain language: Avoids jargon and uses relatable examples to ensure accessibility for diverse audiences.
Dual coding: Combines spoken narration with corresponding on-screen graphics to enhance comprehension.
Activity 2 — Do Activity
Learning Objective: Define the term “resilience” and explain what role it plays in dealing with our everyday stresses.
In this drag-and-drop interactive practice, learners apply their understanding of resilience by matching resilience-building tools to realistic stress scenarios. Immediate feedback reinforces correct matches and explains why certain tools are most effective in specific contexts.
Instructional design best practices & UDL principles applied:
Active engagement: Requires learners to interact with the material, increasing retention and understanding.
Immediate feedback: Learners receive targeted explanations to correct errors and strengthen learning.
Minimized cognitive load: Focused design with clear instructions reduces the chance of confusion.
Activity 3 — Connect Activity
Learning Objective: Define the term “resilience” and explain what role it plays in dealing with our everyday stresses.
In this guided journaling activity, learners reflect on how they might apply one of the resilience tools to their own life. They write a 1–2 sentence reflection describing a situation in which they would use the tool and why. This step encourages personal connection and real-world application of the concept.
Instructional design best practices & UDL principles applied:
Personal relevance: Prompts encourage learners to connect new concepts to their lived experiences.
Multiple means of expression: Learners can express understanding through writing, which supports different communication preferences.
Transfer of learning: Encourages learners to envision practical application in future scenarios.
References
CAST. (n.d.). Universal Design for Learning. https://www.cast.org/what-we-do/universal-design-for-learning/
Horton, W. (2011). E-learning by design (2nd ed.). Pfeiffer.