Overview
Info boxes provide brief, optional guidance to help learners succeed in the course. Unlike callout boxes, which highlight essential content, info boxes focus on supportive advice such as study strategies, time-saving approaches, or best practices for navigating the course.
Info Boxes vs Callouts
| Info Boxes | Callouts |
|---|---|
| Provide guidance about the course experience, such as navigation, deadlines, expectations, tips, or success strategies. | Emphasize important learning content, such as key takeaways, reflection prompts, critical insights, or concepts that warrant additional attention. |
| Focus on helping learners navigate and succeed in the course. | Focus on helping learners engage with and understand the content. |
Use info boxes to enhance the learning experience without introducing core content. Keep them concise and use them sparingly so they remain helpful rather than distracting.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Using info boxes that exceed 250 characters
- Embedding media inside info boxes
- Including images within info boxes
- Using info boxes for core course content instead of support
[Example]
Note: As you move through this lesson, consider jotting down key examples or ideas that stand out. Keeping brief notes can make it easier to review and connect concepts later without rereading the entire section.
Tip: To stay on track with your project, choose your street food dish. Locking in your topic early will give you more time to research, organize your ideas, and complete the assignment efficiently.
Reminder: Don’t forget to finalize your amuse-bouche concept for the project by Sunday at 11:59 PM EST to stay on track with your deadline.
CDD Tag
<infobox = note></infobox>
<infobox = tip></infobox>
<infobox = reminder></infobox>
Guidelines
Do
ID
Production
Use Blue Info Boxes with the Note Icon to Highlight Notes
Use these for important “please note” information that learners need in order to understand the material correctly. Notes clarify details, highlight exceptions, or prevent confusion. They contain essential supporting information, not optional advice. Keep them concise and focused.
ID
Production
Use Purple Info Boxes with the Tip Icon to Highlight Tips
Use these for optional suggestions that can make learning easier or more efficient. Tips may include shortcuts, study strategies, or best practices. They are not required to understand the material and should enhance, not replace, core instruction.
ID
Production
Use Red Reminder Info Boxes to Highlight Reminders
Use these to reinforce key information learners have already encountered, especially deadlines, important dates, or required actions. Reminders help prevent missed steps and keep critical details top of mind. Do not introduce new information.
Do Not
ID
Using more than 250 characters in an info box reduces its effectiveness by undermining its role as a focused support element. Info boxes are meant to surface helpful guidance quickly without disrupting course flow. When too long, they compete with core content, increase cognitive load, and are more likely to be skipped. Keeping them concise supports clarity, scannability, and ensures they function as quick, helpful guidance rather than secondary content blocks.
ID
Production
Embedding media should not be used within info boxes because it weakens their purpose of providing quick, supportive guidance. Info boxes are meant to be brief and easy to process. Adding media increases cognitive load and can distract from the main message. Media is more effective in the main content, where it can be clearly introduced and explored. Keeping info boxes concise and text-focused ensures they remain effective.
ID
Production
Including images in info boxes reduces their effectiveness by shifting them away from their role as focused support elements. Info boxes are meant to provide quick, scannable guidance. Images add visual weight and can distract from the message or interrupt content flow. Visual media is more effective in the main content, where it can be properly introduced and aligned with learning objectives. Keeping info boxes text-focused preserves their clarity and purpose.