Learning designers build learning experiences to facilitate knowledge increase and fill skill gaps. The best learning design is student-focused learning. Effective learning design creates context and connection, captures attention, and suspends time long through to create teachable moments. Construct teachable moments around concepts of exceptional content and creative design.
How are teachable moments built? Through impactful scenario-based training, video, animations, integrating eLearning, and interactive design modes. Well-constructed learning content is intuitive, contains skillful use of media and interactions to support, rather than adorn. The goal in never simplicity or when there’s nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
The best learning experience starts with an end in mind. Learning designers take this information, fine-tune it to align with learning objectives and outcomes.
No matter what instructional design model best practice is followed to produce winning results;
- activate existing knowledge base of the learner; aiding them connecting previous knowledge with the new one,
- demonstrate the knowledge (both visually and through storytelling) so that it leverages different regions of the brain, hence retaining it longer,
- allow them to apply new information on their own. Let them practice and learn from their mistakes. Let them see how your new material works in concrete situations, and
- offer possibilities for integrating the knowledge into the learner’s world through discussion, reflection, and/or presentation of new knowledge
Characteristics of Learning Design Models
- Learning design is learner-focused: Learner and his/her performance are the focal points.
- Learning design is goal-oriented: Well-defined goals are essential.
- Learning design focuses on real-world performance. Help learners perform the behaviors that will be expected of them in the real world.
- Learning design focuses on outcomes that can be measured in a reliable and valid way. Creating valid and reliable measurement instruments is essential.
- Learning design is empirical. Data are the heart of the process.
- Learning design typically is a team effort. This process usually involves teamwork.
What do I enjoy most about creating learning experiences? It allows me to touch lives, to have a lasting effect, and it is a passion for me. The opportunity to interact and engage gives me energy, allows me to be a life-long learner.