Choosing the Right Brightspace Creator+ Interactive: A Practical Guide for Instructional Designers
Not long ago, choosing an interactive for online learning was often constrained by media availability. Before AI image generation and before high-quality, free images were easy to source, design decisions were shaped by what visuals were on hand rather than what the content truly needed. Today, instructional designers have far more freedom, which comes with the responsibility of selecting the right Creator+ interactive based on how learners will experience and use the information.
Take Hotspots and Carousels, for example. While both let learners explore content piece by piece, they serve different purposes. Hotspots work best when information is visually connected, such as layers of a diagram or parts of a system. The visual relationship does the cognitive work. Carousels, on the other hand, are ideal for grouped information that doesn’t build on itself, like categories or examples of a larger component. Learners can explore each item independently without losing meaning.
A similar distinction applies to Tabs, Accordions, and Timelines. If content is short, important, or sequential, a Timeline keeps everything visible on the page, reducing friction and cognitive load. Tabs are useful when you have concise sections with clear labels and a strong visual to maintain interest, but they limit learners to viewing one idea at a time, which creates a distinction in the brain as it processes this information. Accordions shine when content is text-heavy, optional or progressive. They keep pages uncluttered while offering a natural reading flow and the flexibility to compare sections.
Other interactives also play supporting roles. Callouts are best used to emphasize key ideas, warnings, or reminders without interrupting the learning flow or introducing new concepts. Flipcards work especially well for paired information, such as terms and definitions, questions and answers, or scenarios and outcomes, where learners benefit from mentally committing to an idea before revealing more. Click and Reveal is better suited to short explanations, examples, or clarifications. Because both interactives keep content hidden until learners choose to engage, they help manage cognitive load while still supporting curiosity and self-paced learning.
Ultimately, the best Creator+ interactive is the one that aligns with how learners need to see, connect, and revisit information.
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