Is it possible to create digital learning that feels local, no matter where it's used?
This is a question we've explored with times at TicTac Learn. When we create digital learning for a global customer, we’re often told that the learning should be general enough to work in all their local contexts – but we know that great learning must feel relevant to the user.
So where does that leave us?
Well, we actually have a few aces up our sleeves. I’d say the biggest one is storytelling. Because even if the setting is Germany, a person in South Africa or India will relate if they recognize the problem the characters are facing. Even customers who were initially sceptical about animated stories have ended up changing their minds after seeing sample videos we've created in Vyond, where the characters can be made very individual but also quite neutral. And with AI-generated voiceovers that sound quite natural (and get better with every update!) the localization is fairly simple.
But sometimes the learning doesn’t lend itself to storytelling. We may need to stick closely to the source material and still do our best to make sure the learning hits home in every corner of the world. There isn't a magic formula for that, but there are plenty of small design decisions that make digital learning easier to localize – and they usually improve the original version too. So I asked our scriptwriters to share their list of what to do and what to avoid – and was told they didn’t have one. Over the years, this way of designing learning has become second nature to them. I think it says a lot about how very useful and important these principles are! But of course, they were more than happy to talk me through it. Here’s what we came up with:
Things to do, to help localization:
- Write in clear, straightforward language. The clearer the original text is, the easier it is to translate correctly.
- Find examples that are easy to relate to in different cultures. This is true also for interactions, quizzes and even the choice of images. (We probably put more time than people think into finding the right examples and situations.)
- Images can either be general enough to work in all markets, but if it’s possible it’s often nicer to use specific images with people that represent the customer's different locations.
- Keep assets separate and editable, not just for localization, but especially if they’re likely to be updated over time. An example from Rise is that it’s easier to change an image in an image block than an image that’s part of a custom block or inside a tab.
- Humour is difficult and is best avoided, but if it’s used, make sure it’s very clear what’s going on. A good example is when two characters in Vyond have a conversation and we want to give them a bit of personality. It’s fine for characters to show emotion, as long as we don’t use jargon or humour that relies on a specific cultural understanding.
Things to avoid if you want to localize your content:
- Don’t use puns, local references or wordplay.
- Don't make headings or labels too long. Text often expands in translation, so leave room for headings to grow without breaking the layout.
- Don’t place text on images (unless the text is editable).
Looking back at my question – can digital learning feel local wherever it's used? – I'd answer yes. But it does take more than translation. Today's authoring tools, such as Articulate 360 and Vyond, make the practical side of localization much easier than it was a few years ago. But great eLearning starts with thoughtful instructional design: creating content that's clear, relatable and easy to adapt. When good design and the right tools come together, we can create learning that travels across languages and cultures while still feeling local to the people who use it.