AI for Instructional Designer
A single hour-long eLearning course requires 4,500–6,000 words of narration script, and that's before the 4–8 hours you spend turning disorganized SME materials into a coherent outline. These guides show you how to compress the content-to-script pipeline — from raw SME slides to structured learning objectives to complete narration drafts — and stop reinventing the same assessment questions, proposal boilerplate, and stakeholder updates for every new project.
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Copy a prompt, paste into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini
Works with any free AI chatbot, no signup needed
A synthesized summary of learner survey feedback with recurring themes, overall sentiment, and the top 3 actionable recommendations for course improvement.
Analyze the following learner survey responses from a course on [topic]. Identify: the top 3 recurring themes (positive and negative), overall sentiment, and 3 specific recommendations for improving the course based on what learners said. Organize by theme, not by individual response. Responses: [paste survey data or open-text responses]
View full prompt →Tip: Paste the raw responses as-is — you don't need to clean them up first. This also works for Articulate Review comments: paste all reviewer feedback and ask for "a prioritized action list that reconciles conflicting requests."
A list of 8–10 specific interaction types tailored to your content and authoring tool, with brief descriptions of how each would work for your specific topic.
I'm building a [compliance / onboarding / soft skills / technical] eLearning module about [topic] for [audience] in [Articulate Storyline / Rise / another tool]. Suggest 8-10 specific interaction ideas that would make this content engaging without sacrificing learning effectiveness. For each interaction: name it, describe how it works for this specific topic, and note the approximate development complexity (low/medium/high).
View full prompt →Tip: Specify your authoring tool and available development time — "I have 8 hours in Storyline" gets ideas scaled to your actual capacity, not a wish list. Describe the content briefly so suggestions are specific to your topic, not generic interaction types.
A structured course outline with module names, learning objectives for each module, and key topic bullets — extracted and organized from raw SME material.
Organize the following content into a [number]-module eLearning course outline for [target audience]. For each module: write 2-3 measurable learning objectives using Bloom's action verbs at the [application/knowledge] level, and list the key topics to cover. Sequence the modules in the order that best supports learning. Content: [paste SME slides, notes, or document]
View full prompt →Tip: Add "the learner performs these tasks in this order in their job: [list]" to get sequencing aligned to actual job flow rather than the logical order the SME presented the content. Review module groupings against your audience's prior knowledge before finalizing.
A one-page job aid (checklist, reference table, or step-by-step guide) extracted from module content — formatted for use at the point of performance.
Create a [checklist / step-by-step guide / reference table] job aid from the following module content. Format for a single page that [job role] can use at their workstation. Include only the most critical steps or facts they'll need to perform [specific task]. Content: [paste module narration or key content]
View full prompt →Tip: Specify the format in the prompt — "checklist" for procedural tasks, "reference table" for facts and rules, "decision guide" for context-dependent situations. Tell the AI which tasks are most common on the job so it prioritizes the right information.
A learner-facing narration script in plain language, organized by your learning objectives, ready to paste into your storyboard.
Rewrite the following content as a narration script for [target audience, e.g., new warehouse employees]. Use plain language at a [6th/8th/10th] grade reading level. Organize by these learning objectives: [list objectives]. Write in second person, present tense. Content: [paste SME content]
View full prompt →Tip: If the source content is highly technical, add "flag any terms you simplified so I can verify with the SME" — that gives you a targeted review list rather than having to re-read everything. Specify the reading level for your audience so the language is calibrated correctly from the start.
A set of multiple-choice quiz questions aligned to Bloom's Taxonomy, complete with plausible distractors and instructional feedback for wrong answers.
Based on this content about [topic], write [number] multiple-choice questions at the [knowledge/application/analysis] level of Bloom's Taxonomy. For each question: 4 answer options, identify the correct answer, write one sentence of feedback for each wrong answer explaining why it's incorrect. Content: [paste content or learning objectives]
View full prompt →Tip: Add "make the distractors reflect mistakes that [audience type] commonly makes" to get wrong answers that reflect real errors rather than obviously incorrect choices. Review distractors against your specific learner population — what's a common mistake in one context isn't in another.
Measurable, behavioral learning objectives at a specified Bloom's level, formatted with "By the end of this module, learners will be able to..." and appropriate action verbs.
Write [number] learning objectives for a module on [topic] for [audience]. Target cognitive level: [knowledge/comprehension/application/analysis]. Format each as: "By the end of this module, learners will be able to [action verb] [specific skill or knowledge]." Focus on what learners should be able to DO after training, not just what they'll know.
View full prompt →Tip: Review each objective against what you can actually assess — if you can't write a quiz question or scenario that tests it, ask for a revision at a more observable Bloom's level. Specify the cognitive level you need; the AI defaults to knowledge-level verbs if you don't.
A plain-language version of technical, jargon-heavy content written at your specified reading level, with flags for any terms that were simplified and need SME verification.
Rewrite the following content at a [6th/8th] grade reading level for [audience description, e.g., hospital administrative staff with no clinical background]. Preserve the meaning accurately. Flag any terms or concepts you simplified that a subject matter expert should verify. Content: [paste technical text]
View full prompt →Tip: Paste the flagged terms back into the chat as "explain [term] in plain language" for further help before going to the SME. Describe your audience's background in the prompt — "hospital administrative staff with no clinical training" changes the simplification decisions significantly.
A professionally formatted weekly status report covering multiple eLearning projects, with traffic-light status indicators, progress summaries, blockers, and next steps.
Format the following project notes as a weekly status report for [audience, e.g., L&D Director]. Use a traffic light status (🟢 On Track / 🟡 At Risk / 🔴 Blocked) for each project. Include: current status, this week's progress, any blockers or risks, and next week's planned deliverables. Notes: [paste your project bullet points per project]
View full prompt →Tip: Keep running bullet notes throughout the week, then batch them into this prompt on Fridays rather than writing from scratch each time. Review the AI's inferred status colors — it doesn't have the full context you do, so an "on track" call may need adjusting.
A realistic workplace scenario with decision points, dialogue, and consequence-based feedback — ready to structure into a branching activity in Storyline or Rise.
Write a scenario-based activity for [job role] learning [specific skill or behavior]. Setting: [workplace environment]. Include: a realistic opening situation, two decision points with 3 choices each, and brief consequence feedback for each choice showing what happens next. Keep character dialogue realistic and specific to this workplace.
View full prompt →Tip: Add "the three most common mistakes people in this role make are: [list]" to get wrong-choice options that reflect real errors rather than obviously bad decisions. Replace the AI's character names and setting details with ones that match your organization's context before reviewing with stakeholders.
A 150–200 word course introduction that connects to a real workplace situation the learner recognizes, establishes why this training matters to them personally, and previews what they'll be able to...
Write a 150-word course introduction for a module on [topic] for [audience]. Open with a realistic workplace situation they'll recognize from their job. Explain what they'll be able to do after completing this training and why it matters for their specific work. End with a brief preview of what the course covers. Write in second person, conversational tone.
View full prompt →Tip: Replace the AI's opening scenario with a real example from your client if you have one — real situations always land better than plausible ones. Pair this with a closing summary by following up: "Now write a 100-word closing that connects back to that opening scenario."
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Advanced workflows, automation, and custom AI setups
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Recommended Tools
6Ranked by relevance for instructional designer
- 1
Claude
Draft Narration Script from SME Source Material, Transform SME Content Dump into a Structured Course Outline + 2 more
Beginner - 2
ChatGPT
Generate Quiz Questions and Assessments from Learning Content, Rewrite Technical Jargon-Heavy Content into Plain Language + 2 more
Beginner - 3
Zoom
Synthesize SME Meeting Notes from AI Transcription
Beginner - 4
Canva
Create On-Brand Course Graphics and Illustrations with AI
Beginner - 5
ElevenLabs
Generate AI Voiceover Narration to Replace Recording Sessions
Beginner - 6
HeyGen
Build AI Presenter Videos for Courses Without a Camera Crew
Intermediate
Common questions
- What is the best AI tool for an instructional designer?
- 1. Claude: Draft Narration Script from SME Source Material, Transform SME Content Dump into a Structured Course Outline + 2 more. 2. ChatGPT: Generate Quiz Questions and Assessments from Learning Content, Rewrite Technical Jargon-Heavy Content into Plain Language + 2 more. 3. Zoom: Synthesize SME Meeting Notes from AI Transcription.
- How can an instructional designer use ChatGPT or another AI chatbot?
- Start with copy-paste prompts that work in any free chatbot. For example: A synthesized summary of learner survey feedback with recurring themes, overall sentiment, and the top 3 actionable recommendations for course improvement. A list of 8–10 specific interaction types tailored to your content and authoring tool, with brief descriptions of how each would work for your specific topic. A structured course outline with module names, learning objectives for each module, and key topic bullets — extracted and organized from raw SME material.
- Do I need technical skills to start?
- No. Level 1 prompts work in any free AI chatbot with no signup beyond the chatbot itself: copy the prompt, fill in the bracketed details, and paste it in. Later levels add AI features in tools you already use, then dedicated AI tools and automation.
New to AI?
The Big Four AI Assistants
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok do roughly the same thing. Pick one and start.
Four Levels of AI Skill
From your first prompt to building automated workflows. Where are you now?
How to Keep Up with AI
The landscape changes fast. A low-effort system to stay informed without drowning.
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