Transform the way you design learning solutions from the ground up. This course will take you beyond standard content-laden instructional design into the emerging realm of learning experience design (LXD). Start crafting more engaging, learner-centered and results-focused learning solutions. Through a blend of live virtual sessions and self-study modules, you’ll develop the ability to create impactful technology-enhanced learning experiences grounded in evidence-based principles and proven design practices. During the course you will also have the opportunity to apply your newfound skills to a work-related project to implement back on the job. Make the shift to LXD and be in the forefront of today’s evolving learning and development profession.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe five major shifts to transition from older instructional design practices to the new learner and task-centered approach for designing learning experiences.
- Demonstrate and share LXD practices with colleagues to boost learner satisfaction and performance outcomes.
- Apply cutting edge design thinking strategies beginning at the project startup phase to better understand multiple stakeholder perspectives and desired results.
- Adopt a participatory and agile approach to learning design incorporating multiple perspectives and feedback from colleagues, managers and prospective learners as part of an iterative design process.
- Demonstrate design thinking ideation techniques to creatively combine new digital learning strategies with the capabilities of available learning platforms and software tools to develop innovative and cost-effective learning solutions.
- Apply LXD strategies including learner personas, experience maps, iterative design, rapid prototyping and feedforward-feedback techniques to ensure learning designs are aligned with learner needs and performance goals.
- Develop instructional content that integrates cognitive, emotional, behavioral and social aspects of learning using techniques such as contextualization to anchor learning to specific job situations.
- Refine and implement a prototype design plan created during the course for a work-related project.
Course Outline/Topics
- Week 1: Introduction and Application of the LXD Approach
- Core elements of online learning experiences (structure and psychodynamics)
- Making the shift from conventional instructional design to LXD
- Applying design thinking to the LXD process
- An integrated LXD framework for designing online learning
- Factors that influence engagement and deep learning in online environments
- Designing learner and task-centered interfaces, content structures and motivational elements
- Exploring affordances of new technology tools for designing hybridized content interactions
- Individual/team project work
Week 2: Designing Impactful Online Learning Activities and Social Interactions
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- Designing online activities to promote active and deep learning
- Engagement strategies including contextualization and scenario-based learning
- Designing online social interactions that support knowledge and skill development
- Feedback strategies for enhancing learner agency and motivation
- Evaluating and assessing learning outcomes, impact, and ROI
- Challenges and strategies for implementing LXD in various work contexts
- Personal project reviews and debriefings
Who Should Attend
- Instructors and trainers
- Instructional designers
- Learning and talent development leaders
Instructor
Les Howles is an emeritus faculty associate with over 30 years of experience in distance education, eLearning, media production and instructional design. He has held several positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison including director of Distance Education Professional Development, team… read more
Notes
This fully online two-week course consists of:
- Introductory prework (1 hr.)
- Live virtual classes (four 2-hour sessions, 8 hrs.)
- Online self-study modules with mini-projects (4 hrs.)
- Online discussion forum participation (optional 1 hr.)
- Mini prototype project work (4 hrs.)
Estimated total: 16-18 hours
This course requires completing assignments prior to each of the four live virtual class sessions.