Transform subject expertise into learner-centered resources
As an education designer, much of my work is done behind the scenes, working with subject experts (SMEs) to turn in-depth content knowledge into a meaningful, learner-centric experience. With e-learning design, the biggest challenge is not the content itself. Students ensure that they remain engaged, guided and reflexive throughout the course. Evaluation plays an important role in this. But too often, the rubric and feedback feel static or disconnected. So, the integration of AI-powered assessment tools changed everything in the effort of working with students as well as faculty members and small businesses in the course development.
When designing a new online course, I start by sitting with a small business and unleashing core results. AI tools quickly translate these results into meaningful rubric categories, moving beyond academic jargon to learner-centric language. Use the tool.
The draft is clear and operation-based criteria. Provides explanations for multiple versions (studied by beginners).
This process saves time for small businesses and gives them a clearer vision of how their expertise will land with students and how they measure success at every stage.
Scaling and staying human
One of the most powerful features is AI-assisted feedback. Once the rubric is embedded in the LMS, the tool:
Generates custom formative feedback tailored to rubric performance. By mimicking the tone of small business (cooperative, direct or coaching), students can ask clear questions or request details.
Instead of rushing to give feedback at the end of the grading cycle, small businesses can focus on clear content in their content, but AI handles the first pass of feedback, creating space for deeper reflections and revisions.
Formative feedback through a learning journey
In eLearning, the risk is to get feedback only if it is too late for students to apply. It solves this by embedding formative touchpoints throughout the course.
Low Stakes Writing or Design Task AI Created Self-Check Reflection Rubric-Based Milestone Review
Students use AI as their thinking partner to draft responses, reflect on progress, and assess their work before submitting. This gradually builds self-awareness and links daily efforts to long-term outcomes.
Analysis that enables small and medium-sized businesses to teach smarter
Many small businesses want to know what’s working, but don’t have the time to dig into forums or grades. Using the AI Tool Analytics Dashboard provides:
Real-time visuals of student progress through rubric standards. Misunderstanding or skip step patterns. Student sentiment analysis based on reflection and feedback.
This helps to coordinate the course midway through the course, providing the most needed target support, especially in an asynchronous format where students can pass through the cracks.
AI as a design partner is not a shortcut
Here’s what I learned from working with dozens of small businesses: Rather than replacing expertise, AI helps you transform it into an online space with clearer, more consistency and care. By using tools early in the eLearning design process, we are:
Reduce SME workloads in grading and rewriting. Makes rubrics more understandable and flexible. Focus on thoughts, processes and meaningful growth.
It’s not automation for speed. It is an augmentation in better education, better feedback, better learning services. E-learning design is a team effort. SME brings brilliance. Designers bring structure. Also, using the right AI tools will earn you a third partner. This makes the learning process more personal, transparent and responsive to all students.
The best AI-powered rating tools are more empathetic than just efficiency. They not only grade jobs, they support their growth. And when integrated with intention, they help us all, students, small businesses and designers move from performance to purpose. Work with subject experts to use AI tools to transform rubrics into interactive, student-centric feedback experiences. Gradually integrated AI will become a collaborative companion, guide reflexes, encourage engagement, and make learning feel more personal.
This process is never in a hurry. This includes close collaboration with faculty, education teams and academic leadership to build trust, coordinate goals, and implement AI in thoughtful and manageable steps. When adopted in this way, AI is not confused. All involved will be able to concentrate more deeply on teaching, learning and meaningful growth.
