How Dual Coding Theory Explains (and Fixes) Your Biggest Learning Design Problem Your learners look glazed over. They’re reading ahead while you talk. Or they’ve checked out entirely. You know what they’re doing? Choosing. Read the slide or listen to you. Not both. They can’t. And it’s not their fault—it’s your design. Your Brain ProcessesContinueContinue reading “The Dual Coding Problem: Why Your Learners Keep Tuning You Out”
Category Archives: Instructional Design
Most Instructional Designers Put This at the Start. Here’s Why YOU Shouldn’t!
You spent three weeks on that compliance module. Got the objectives perfectly clear. Slide two, exactly where Gagne said they should be. Your instructional design was textbook. Then you watched what happened: Learners skimmed the objectives and jumped ahead. Exit interviews revealed the pattern: “I knew what I was supposed to learn, so I didn’tContinueContinue reading “Most Instructional Designers Put This at the Start. Here’s Why YOU Shouldn’t!”
The Dangerous Allure of Distraction: Why Seductive Details Can Derail Learning (and When They Don’t)
NOTE: I’ve updated this post from the previous version to incorporate some new research shared by Julie Dirksen & Will Thalheimer. Every learning designer knows the temptation. You’ve built a solid course… but it still feels a little flat.So you add a funny story.Or a dramatic photo.Or a splash of background music because “engagement!” AndContinueContinue reading “The Dangerous Allure of Distraction: Why Seductive Details Can Derail Learning (and When They Don’t)”
The L&D Detective: Solving Performance Mysteries with Mager’s Flowchart
As an L&D professional, you may feel overwhelmed by the challenges of diagnosing and solving performance problems in your organization. Fortunately, there’s a powerful tool that can guide you through this process: Mager’s Performance Consulting Flowchart. In this blog post, we’ll break down Mager’s flowchart, explain why it’s so helpful, and highlight the benefits ofContinueContinue reading “The L&D Detective: Solving Performance Mysteries with Mager’s Flowchart”
Want to Upgrade Your L&D Results? Speak to the Primal Brain
For years, Bianca Baumann and I have been sharing a number of invaluable principles that Learning and Development (L&D) can “Steal From Marketing”. It dawned on me that I’ve never put pen to paper to share these transformative ideas, and that’s a disservice I intend to rectify today. These principles aren’t just theoretical musings; theyContinueContinue reading “Want to Upgrade Your L&D Results? Speak to the Primal Brain”
Using Email Marketing Tools for Learning Campaigns
Imagine writing a set of emails just once that is sent to different people at different times when they need it most. Despite all the hype for social networks and messaging apps, there’s only one online platform that everyone uses: email. You can send an email using any email service or application, and you’ll knowContinueContinue reading “Using Email Marketing Tools for Learning Campaigns”
The Show: Learning Design Competition
If you work in Learning & Development, you owe it to yourself to check out “The Show”. Cath Ellis and Kim Tuohy have created a totally brilliant learning design competition that is currently running as part of the lead up to The Learning Conference 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bRkCXORU1E&feature=youtu.be It is like “March Madness” but for learning pros.ContinueContinue reading “The Show: Learning Design Competition”
SPACED LEARNING: AN INTRODUCTION & SOME TOOLS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED
The spacing effect is one of the oldest and best-documented phenomena in the history of learning and memory research. Research has repeatedly shown that using these techniques can increase the retention of new knowledge and skills. By basing your own learning designs off of these principles you can increase what your audience will remember. TheContinueContinue reading “SPACED LEARNING: AN INTRODUCTION & SOME TOOLS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED”
Two Simple Tools for Creating More Impactful Content
Contrary to what many people think, our brains do not work like video recorders. Just because you say something doesn’t mean people will remember it – not even close! To create a memorable experience you’ve got to know how memory works.
A Look Back At The Years Best From Learning Science And Instructional Design
Every Friday I post a weekly recap of the best articles, posts, and resources I find from the intersection of learning, design, and technology. I like to keep tabs on things related to workplace learning, technology, social tools that generally help people power up their learning so that they can work smarter. Here is aContinueContinue reading “A Look Back At The Years Best From Learning Science And Instructional Design”
Mike Taylor 
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