Picture this: You are responsible for creating a learning experience designed to significantly impact learners and help them achieve their goals. Exciting, right? But here's the thing - if you do not have a process that takes andragogy (fancy word for how adults learn) into consideration, you might find yourself in hot water faster than you can say death by PowerPoint.
A mistake many new instructional designers (IDs) make is assuming adults learn in the same way they were taught in grade school. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Adults come to the table with personal and professional experiences, a desire to know the ‘why’ behind the learning, and a short attention span for anything without clear and direct utility for their current job/task.
I remember a time when I thought I had created the perfect training program for a client. It was chock-full of information, beautifully designed, and I was sure it would wow everyone. It did not. Why? I had missed an important step in the discovery process and did not differentiate for the various job roles in the room - thus no one felt it pertained to them. YIKES!
While that was a long time ago, I still reflect on that day as it taught me a valuable lesson - always start with a thorough needs assessment. Get to know your learners. What keeps them up at night? What makes them tick? What is the problem they are trying to solve? All those things will factor into understanding what they need to get out of the learning you are designing for them.
Now, let's talk about engagement. Nobody wants to sit through a snoozefest of heavy text and bullet points. Trust me. The key is to mix it up! Throw in some interactivity, some real-world scenarios, and maybe even a dash of humor (but please, for the love of all that is holy, no dad jokes unless you are absolutely sure of your audience and their vibe.).
And here's a pro tip: Embrace the power of the bite-sized. In this age of TikTok and Twitter, attention spans are shorter than ever. Break your content down into manageable chunks. Think of it as serving tapas instead of a five-course meal.
Remember, sometimes simplicity is better than more, More, MORE! While it can be fun to throw in EVERY tool or tons of fancy tricks, remember the users and their level of comfort. Design in a way that makes sense, is clear, and meets the client's needs.
But what if I don't have a background in instructional design?
Without the right expertise, you might find yourself creating learning experiences that are about as engaging as watching paint dry. You could miss the mark on making content relevant, struggle to measure if anyone is actually learning anything, or end up with a finished product that is too complex, too confusing, or misses the purpose.
Don’t Panic.
The more you do, the better you will get. Take the time to read up on adult learning principles as well as ID principles and learn from other people who are doing a great job. That being said, in the event you have been tasked with creating some professional learning NOW, take a look below for the top 5 things you should be considering.
Here are the top 5 instructional design principles you need to know:
Know Your Audience: Tailor your content to learner needs, experiences, and goals. One size definitely doesn't fit all!
Clear Learning Objectives: Set crystal-clear goals for what learners should be able to do after the training. If you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?
Chunk It Up: Break complex information into digestible bits. Think bite-sized learning, not an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Active Learning: Get learners involved! Use interactive elements, discussions, and hands-on practice. Passive learning leads to poor retention.
Real-World Application: Show how the learning applies to their current job or task. If learners do not see the value in using the tools/new learning they are not likely to try it!
Remember, at the end of the day, great instructional design is about creating ‘aha!’ moments for your learners. It's about seeing that spark of understanding, that nod of recognition when something clicks. And let me tell you, there's no better feeling in the world when you know your design has led to better work.
Need help? Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me a note via my contact page.
Comments