{"id":50968,"date":"2024-08-09T17:22:56","date_gmt":"2024-08-09T13:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=50968"},"modified":"2025-12-08T12:19:56","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T08:19:56","slug":"the-17-best-elearning-books-to-read-in-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/best-elearning-books","title":{"rendered":"The 17 Best eLearning Books to Read in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re anything like we are, you love learning in all types of formats. And while online courses may top the charts for engagement and effectiveness, sometimes you just can’t beat a good book.<\/p>\n

Luckily, instructional design enthusiasts have a vast array of page-turners to choose from if they want to further their knowledge. From short PDF guides to ID treatises, there’s something for everyone.<\/p>\n

Keep reading as we peruse 17 of the best eLearning books you’ll want to delve into in 2026. They’re perfect for training managers, instructional designers, and anyone interested in eLearning.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Editors’ Choice<\/h2>\n

No time to read the full guide? Here are our top three picks we think you’ll love:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

The eLearning & Instructional Design Roadmap: An un-boring guide for newbies, career-changers, and anyone who wants to build better eLearning, by Aubrey Cook — a must-have if you’re new to the field.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Buy it now<\/a> →<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

Driving Performance Through Learning: Develop Employees Through Effective Workplace Learning, by Andy Lancaster — for L&D strategists and decision-makers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Buy it now<\/a> →<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

Performance-Focused Learner Surveys: Using Distinctive Questioning to Get Actionable Data and Guide Learning Effectiveness, by Will Thalheimer — best for those responsible for conducting training evaluations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Buy it now<\/a> →<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The 7 Best eLearning Books to Propel Your L&D Career<\/h2>\n

If you’re an avid reader with a passion for instructional design, it’s probably time to update your 2026 reading list. To inspire you, our ID experts put their heads together to create a shortlist of our favorite eLearning books. <\/p>\n

We’ve got picks for all levels of proficiency, and our selection covers everything from creating sticky learning experiences to the fundamentals of adult learning theory.<\/p>\n

Best eLearning Books Comparison Table<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Title and Author<\/td>\nLevel, Year of Publication, Number of Pages<\/td>\nMain Points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
L&D Detective Kit for Solving Impact Mysteries, Kevin M. Yates<\/a><\/td>\nIntermediate+, 2000, 50 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • The impact of learning<\/li>\n
  • Designing training with impact in mind<\/li>\n
  • Measuring how learning activates performance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Course Design Formula: How to Teach Anything to Anyone Online, Rebecca Frost Cuevas<\/a> <\/td>\nIntermediate, 2019, 450 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Online course development using the course design formula<\/li>\n
  • Learning theories and instructional design in practice<\/li>\n
  • Information processing in course design<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The eLearning & Instructional Design Roadmap: An un-boring guide for newbies, career-changers, and anyone who wants to build better eLearning, Aubrey Cook<\/a><\/td>\nNovice, 2023, 276 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • How to design sticky learning content<\/li>\n
  • Transitioning into a career in instructional design<\/li>\n
  • Tactics to create “un-boring” eLearning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The eLearning Designer’s Handbook: A Practical Guide to the eLearning Development Process for New eLearning Designers, Tim Slade<\/a><\/td>\nIntermediate, 2020, 233 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Planning an eLearning project<\/li>\n
  • Course design and development <\/li>\n
  • Training evaluation methods<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning, Ruth C. Clark and Richard E. Mayer<\/a><\/td>\nAll levels, 2002, 336 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Research-backed data on how people learn<\/li>\n
  • Lesson-design techniques<\/li>\n
  • The psychology behind different instructional design principles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
e-Learning Essentials: Strategies for Effective Digital Education, Mujahid Bakht<\/a><\/td>\nNovice, 2023, 171 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Choosing an eLearning platform<\/li>\n
  • Creating training content<\/li>\n
  • Facilitating online discussions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Michael Allen’s Guide to e-Learning: Building Interactive, Fun, and Effective Learning Programs for Any Company (2nd edition)<\/a><\/td>\nAll levels, 2016, 432 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Motivation in eLearning<\/li>\n
  • Learning games<\/li>\n
  • CCAF and interactive instruction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lessons in Learning, E-Learning, and Training: Perspectives and Guidance for the Enlightened Trainer, Roger C. Schank<\/a><\/td>\nIntermediate High, 2005, 292 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Incorporating doing-based training<\/li>\n
  • Using storytelling to enhance learner engagement<\/li>\n
  • Strategies for boosting knowledge retention<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Learning Technologies in the Workplace: How to Successfully Implement Learning Technologies in Organizations, Donald H. Taylor<\/a><\/td>\nNovice High, 2017, 264 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Understanding workplace learning tools<\/li>\n
  • How to implement learning technologies successfully<\/li>\n
  • APPA implementation case studies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Driving Performance through Learning: Develop Employees through Effective Workplace Learning, Andy Lancaster<\/a><\/td>\nAdvanced, 2019, 368 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Maximizing the impact of workplace learning<\/li>\n
  • Optimizing L&D workflows<\/li>\n
  • Integrating learning into work to drive performance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learning Developers, Robin Sargent<\/a><\/td>\nNovice, 2022, 314 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • A step-by-step formula for designing a course blueprint<\/li>\n
  • How to apply the First Principles of Instruction<\/li>\n
  • Corporate training design checklists<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Instructional Design for eLearning: Essential guide for designing successful eLearning courses, Marina Arshavskiy<\/a><\/td>\nNovice High, 2021, 411 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Instructional design models in practice<\/li>\n
  • Designing the learning experience<\/li>\n
  • QA and implementation of eLearning programs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
This is Learning Experience Design: What it is, how it works, and why it matters, Niels Floor<\/a><\/td>\nNovice High, 2023, 304 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Learning experience design best practices<\/li>\n
  • Applying UX design to learning experiences<\/li>\n
  • Using personas and empathy maps to understand learners<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Performance-Focused Learner Surveys: Using Distinctive Questioning to Get Actionable Data and Guide Learning Effectiveness, Will Thalheimer<\/a><\/td>\nIntermediate+, 2022, 294 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • The how and the why behind training evaluations<\/li>\n
  • The current failure of learner-feedback surveys<\/li>\n
  • How to ensure that learner feedback gauges on-the-job success<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
E-Learning Uncovered: Lectora by ELB Learning: 2022 Edition, Chris Paxton McMillin, MSEd & Diane Elkins<\/a><\/td>\nNovice High, 2022, 364 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • How Lectora works<\/li>\n
  • Advanced features and tricks<\/li>\n
  • Time-saving tips to get the most out of the software<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Learning Experience Design: How to Create Effective Learning that Works, Donald Clark<\/a><\/td>\nIntermediate+, 2021, 320 pages<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • A complete overview of learning experience design<\/li>\n
  • Future trends like LXPs, AI, and workflow learning<\/li>\n
  • Learner engagement techniques<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Modern Learning Ecosystem: A New L&D Mindset for the Ever-Changing Workplace, JD Dillon<\/a><\/td>\nIntermediate+, 2022, 260 pages<\/td>\n\n