Turning Images into Learning Ideas
L&D professionals do the meaningful work of ensuring that organizational members have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. Their efforts are similar to those of learning experts in K-12 schools and faculty development centers in higher education. Work can be deeply rewarding when learning programs lead to meaningful improvement in employees, teams, and organizations.
In all educational settings and workplaces, Instructional Designers must continually improve their craft while working under the pressure of a design deadline. As technology advances, L&D professionals are expected to adapt quickly, incorporating new tools and methods into their work practices. The invention of artificial intelligence presents both a challenge and an opportunity: learning new systems while using tools that can improve efficiency and increase creativity. L&D professionals are increasingly exploring ways AI can support the Instructional Design process while keeping human expertise at the center.
Large Language Models (LLMs) are not just textual tools. Increasingly, they can translate visual input such as photos, diagrams, and screenshots, materials that Disciplinary designers already produce throughout the design process. These emerging graphics capabilities provide an opportunity to rethink design workflows and use visual materials to accelerate instructional thinking. Below are eight practical ways L&D professionals can start using graphics with LLMs today.
8 Ways to Use Images with LLMs
1. Whiteboards and Flipcharts
Whiteboards and flipcharts often capture thinking during workshops, Subject Matter Expert (SME) meetings, and project sprints. Images of these notes can be uploaded to LLM to help interpret the ideas generated during the interaction.
LLMs can help identify themes, extract action items, and suggest potential learning objectives based on notes, helping teams move from brainstorming to systematic design decisions more effectively.
- Example message
Analyze this photo of the whiteboard from the design meeting. Identify key themes, potential learning objectives, and activities that may inform the teaching module.
2. Notebook and Journal Pages
Design ideas often start as handwritten notes or rough sketches. Pictures of notebook pages can help turn early ideas into formal design steps.
LLMs can help organize notes into learning objectives, generate test ideas, or outline module structures. As with any conceptual work supported by AI, designers must verify results against reliable sources. In addition, asking AI critical questions about reasoning, sources, and assumptions is an important skill to master [1].
- Example message
Analyze these handwritten notes and organize them into possible learning objectives, key concepts, and an outline for a short training module.
3. Draft Message Boards or Lesson Plans
Early design work often involves drawing storyboards, module flows, or sticky note planner boards. Capturing these drafts allows designers to collaborate with LLMs in refining initial concepts.
LLMs can help identify gaps, suggest learning interactions, and suggest experimental ideas, helping designers write more quickly.
- Example message
Review this storyboard diagram and suggest additional student interactions, assessments, or content elements that would strengthen the learning experience.
4. Existing Courses or Links to Study
Instructional Designers often revise existing learning materials when planning new modules. Screenshots of course pages or training links can be uploaded to LLM to analyze design patterns.
LLMs can help identify strengths and weaknesses in areas such as cognitive load, accessibility, navigation, and interaction design, supporting the development of future course iterations. Examining course materials can help designers think beyond traditional quiz formats toward interactive learning experiences.
- Example message
Rate this screenshot of the course module and identify potential improvements related to clarity, comprehension load, accessibility, and student engagement.
5. Real World Objects and Processes
Images of concrete objects can help transform real-world visuals into educational content. L&D professionals often work with concepts based on physical processes, tools, or space. Pictures of equipment, workplace procedures, safety signs, or work activities can help designers identify important concepts and procedures to emphasize in digital learning materials.
When these images are uploaded to LLM, the model can help identify teaching themes, relevant words, or potential learning objectives linked to what appears in the image. This process can help designers translate real-world observations into structured instructional units that support a clear understanding of the subject matter.
- Example message
Examine this picture and identify key concepts, processes, or words that can be taught in this example. Suggest possible learning objectives related to what was shown.
6. Materials for Physical Education
Most lessons are taught using visual models, posters, or demonstrations. Images of these materials can help designers translate the learning experience into digital formats.
For example, images of anatomy models, engineering drawings, or laboratory setups can encourage LLMs to suggest ways to recreate these experiences through digital simulations, visualizations, or interactive modules.
- Example message
Review this picture of the physical teaching model and suggest ways in which this concept can be translated into an engaging eLearning or digital learning activity.
7. Real Workplaces
Images of real workplaces can support the development of situation-based learning. Images of spaces such as hospital rooms, construction sites, office workspaces, or production floors provide important context about the environment in which employees work.
When the LLM analyzes these images, it can help designers generate realistic scenarios, decision-making exercises, or safety scenarios that reflect the real situations that students may encounter in their jobs.
This method facilitates the training of the ground in the real conditions of the workplace, strengthening the relevance of the learning activities.
- Example message
Analyze this picture of a workplace and suggest realistic training situations or decision-making situations that might occur in this environment.
8. Viewing Data or Reports
L&D teams often review dashboards, survey results, and evaluation reports when evaluating learning effectiveness. Screenshots of this display can be used as input for LLM analysis.
LLMs can help interpret patterns in data and suggest potential priorities for training, instructional development, or learning interventions.
- Example message
Analyze this training evaluation dashboard and suggest potential teaching improvements or new learning interventions based on trends seen in the data.
The conclusion
LLMs consider more than text alone. Images represent another powerful input that can support the Instructional Design workflow. By analyzing photographs, drawings, and visual materials from the design process, LLMs can help L&D professionals interpret ideas, generate scenarios, refine instructional strategies, and identify opportunities for improvement. These developments build on a growing body of work exploring how AI can support Instructional Design, learning activities, and teaching collaboration while keeping human expertise at the core of the process. [2].
As with any emerging technology, responsible implementation is essential. L&D leaders must also ensure that ethical considerations, transparency, and accountability remain part of the integration of AI into learning environments. Used thoughtfully, these visualization skills can help designers move more effectively from ideas to implementation while strengthening the quality of the learning they create.
