{"id":16872,"date":"2019-04-09T16:14:06","date_gmt":"2019-04-09T12:14:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=16872"},"modified":"2026-08-17T18:20:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T14:20:03","slug":"how-to-create-a-mobile-first-online-course-10-must-follow-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/how-to-create-a-mobile-first-online-course-10-must-follow-rules","title":{"rendered":"How to Create a Mobile-Friendly Online Course: 10 Must-Follow Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"

E-courses made for desktops and mobile devices are two different products. Even if the desktop content adapts to the screen size, it still may not look good on your smartphone. You can’t solve this problem just by scaling pictures and fonts, because mobile-first content is designed right from the start based on different principles.<\/p>\n

Let’s look at the basic rules of mobile-friendly courses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1. Break Content Into 1-2 Minute Modules<\/h2>\n

The internet has drastically minimized our ability to concentrate. Twitter and Instagram have habituated us to consuming information in small chunks: on average, one session lasts as little as 72 seconds. The Nielsen Norman Group arrived at this figure through a survey<\/a> of internet users; analysts canvassed people from 8 countries including the US, Australia, China, and Great Britain.<\/p>\n

The takeaway<\/strong>: Large courses are not meant for mobile devices. It’s better to chunk content into short modules so learners can study on the go anytime and anywhere.<\/p>\n

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A module is a small course within a larger one. It covers one topic, just like a chapter in a book.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The authors of Google Primer, a mobile app that covers the basics of digital marketing, broke up their learning program into modules. In Primer, one module is a deck of 5 or 7 cards. Each deck covers one rule.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n
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 Source: medium<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In 2 minutes, users get a small portion of knowledge and can apply it right on the spot.<\/p>\n

2. Track Progress<\/h2>\n

A good mobile app makes a digital bookmark when users take a break, and reminds them to pick up where they left off.<\/p>\n

If you don’t want to break up a larger course into modules, the app still saves the progress and allows learners to study the material in several steps. They can start today and continue tomorrow from the place where they stopped.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/div>\n

If you want a course to save progress, click Player<\/strong> on the iSpring Suite<\/a> tab.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/div>\n

Then, click Playback and Navigation<\/strong> on the toolbar in the pop-up window.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/div>\n

On the left panel, in the Resume Playback<\/strong> section, choose Prompt to resume<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/div>\n

3. Find Out How Users Hold Their Devices<\/h2>\n

People hold their phones differently depending on the model, situation, and particular task, as proven in a study by Steven Hoober. He made 1,333 observations of people using mobile devices on the street, in airports, in cafes, and other places. The study showed:<\/p>\n

49% of users hold and use a mobile phone with one hand<\/strong>. Usually, they simply scroll through the screen while doing something else: carrying bags, holding babies, opening doors, and so on.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n
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Green indicates the area a user can reach easily. Source: uxmatters.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/div>\n

With this touch map, you can understand which areas aren’t good for menus and other navigation elements.<\/p>\n

36% of users use two hands to hold a mobile phone, but use only one hand to touch the screen or buttons<\/strong>. According to Hoober, people use this position to select an object on the screen or tap a link.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n
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This method allows users to interact with the whole screen: e.g., selecting objects and tapping links<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

15% of users prefer two-handed use<\/strong>. This position is convenient for typing.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n
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In this position, users type with both thumbs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Define what actions you expect from learners:<\/strong><\/p>\n